From a London pharmacy to Nottingham’s fast-food scene, uncover the story behind CJP Group Operations  

By trade, I’m a qualified pharmacist, having completed undergraduate and postgraduate study between 2012 and 2017 before being fully qualified and working for Boots Pharmacy in London,” opens Chirag Pandya, owner of CJP Group Operations (CJP) and England’s youngest ever operator of a McDonald’s franchise. “During my studies, I also embarked on a couple of internships and secured a full-time role as a strategy consultant with PwC. Over the course of four years, I worked my way up from junior to senior consultant, working with several interesting clients and projects.   

“From there, I joined the NHS as a director and led a 72-strong team throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic challenged the entire organization, and it gave me plenty of time to reflect on what I wanted from my career. I wanted the freedom and flexibility of working for myself, as well as being able to spearhead my own vision, so I decided to apply to become a McDonald’s franchisee. Before I knew it, I was relocating to Birmingham for one year of training, and then to Nottingham for the handover of the Castle Bridge Road store.   

“80 days later and I’m here talking to you,” he laughs. “It has been a whirlwind to say the least – and that’s without mentioning that my wife was about six months pregnant when I decided to make the move!”  

Freedom within a framework 

Chirag’s interesting career journey has led him to operate Nottingham’s Castle Bridge Road McDonald’s store. At 450 square meters, the store has two floors, a seating capacity of 150, a drive thru, a 40-space car park, and is predicted to serve around 1600 customers every day. “We have 120 staff on our payroll, including a very strong management team comprising the store manager, deputy store manager, three assistant managers, and around 15 shift managers,” Chirag elaborates.   

“Standing for my initials, CJP is my wife and I’s brainchild, and our aim is for the group to provide a solid foundation for aspirational growth as the business evolves. I am a people-centric person, and leading a team of 72 in my role as an NHS director reaffirmed that I genuinely enjoy working with people. McDonald’s is a people-based organization offering amazing opportunities for individuals to enter the business world, and the concept of freedom within a framework appealed to me.”  

Funded through a partnership with HSBC UK, Chirag is the first to highlight that collaborative partnerships have been crucial to establishing the business. “I was fortunate to work with Marc Talbot, the Franchise Director at HSBC, and Judy Jenner, the company’s Relationship Director, to secure funding for the purchase of the site,” he confirms. “Jerry Nicholls, from whom I purchased the franchise, has also been instrumental in ensuring a smooth and seamless transition.   

“The support I’ve received from McDonald’s has been incredible. Although I spoke with some franchisee owners before applying, the corporate team has given me invaluable advice and is collaborative, supportive, and encouraging, making for a seamless and enjoyable journey.”  

Community engagement 

Chirag is also actively engaging with the local community and partnering with companies to achieve common goals. “We’ve made community donations, installed a mini library in the store, and even hosted children’s games events, which we’re looking to organize on a more regular basis,” he reveals. “In 2025, for instance, we’re hoping to join forces with more businesses to carry out litter picking events across Nottingham to improve the city.   

“We’re also keen to strengthen our involvement with local schools and colleges to improve our work experience and apprenticeship programs. McDonald’s already offers a fantastic apprenticeship scheme to spearhead crew members’ careers over a 15 or 18-month program. At CJP, our youngest shift manager is just 19 years old, which is a phenomenal achievement to be able to hone and sharpen leadership skills at such a young age.“  

As our conversation ends, Chirag reflects on his career journey and shares his advice for other aspiring entrepreneurs. “Personal self-reflection is crucial, and for me, leadership has taught me so much about myself,” he says. “Perhaps my most important advice would be to always occupy a student mindset; don’t be afraid to ask questions as you grow and maintain humility to learn from anyone, no matter how junior they are or how long they’ve been with the business.  

“To mark three months since we took over the store, we held a celebratory event for the team, where we discussed how the business has changed in such a short period of time, as well as the things we want to improve. I have an excellent team around me, and I trust their ability to continue elevating our customer experience and ensure the store’s operations continue to run smoothly while I take some time in the new year to mark being a very proud new father.  

“I’m constantly asking myself where the business will go in the coming years, and my answer varies each day as we continue to grow and evolve,” Chirag concludes. “I’m passionate about building a positive culture based on openness and transparency, where people can grow and develop. The growth possibilities are endless, but I’m dedicated to creating the best McDonald’s in the country from the standpoints of experience, team, and overall culture.”   

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