Our Founder’s
Story

1968 My Entrepreneurial Journey

My entrepreneurial journey was inspired by my immigrant father, Shlemon Ammori, and my family’s collective pursuit of the American Dream. Growing up, I watched my father and my siblings work tirelessly to support the household while my mother, Mary, managed the home and cared for the younger kids. The family’s goal was simple yet profound: save enough money to buy a business and build a better future.

After a decade of working in different jobs across industries, my family led by my two older brothers Albert and Farook purchased our first retail convenience store in Detroit MI on East Jefferson. I was always impressed with my two older brothers’ work ethic . I learned from my brothers and my dad the nuts and bolts of retail. On the importance of location, the treatment of customers, inventory management and being close to the business.

1982 Early Ventures: The Convenience Store Business

My first foray into business began in high school when my dad helped my older brother Omar and I acquire a convenience store in Clawson, Michigan. Owning a liquor store at a young age in high school was a unique experience. Although I missed out on typical high school activities, I gained invaluable entrepreneurial insights and built up my own work ethic. I learned from my Brother Omar on how to take seriously running a business is and the responsibility of operating a business that supports the family. While managing and expanding this business to two additional locations, I explored various ventures, including selling Christmas trees, distributing potato chips, credit card processing, developing rewards apps, and engaging in small real estate projects. Some of these efforts succeeded, while others taught me important lessons. This period shaped my entrepreneurial appetite and laid the foundation for my journey as a merchant and retailer.

1999 Entering the Restaurant Industry: Fuddruckers

After over a decade in the convenience store business, I sought new opportunities and entered the restaurant industry. In 1999, my great friend Tommy Kryiakoza, my brother Omar, and I opened the first Fuddruckers location in Detroit. The restaurant was an immediate success, and we expanded to five locations. Leading a team beyond my family for the first time was a transformative experience. Though scaling the business presented challenges & struggles. Understanding the challenges growth creates by going from location 1 to location 2 in the restaurant business, I was enlightened on how much I needed to learn about multi-unit management.

The lessons I did learn about people and processes prepared me for my next venture.

2004 Wireless Vision: A Transformative Retail Experience

In 2004, alongside my partners Omar, Mark Denha, Kevin Denha, and Mike Lakich, we founded Wireless Vision. Initially a modest business designed to support our growing families, Wireless Vision grew alongside the rapidly evolving wireless retail industry. The business shifted from a focus on products to delivering exceptional customer service and building loyalty for carriers.

We developed a strong partnership with T-Mobile, piloting and launching innovative programs together. Over two decades, Wireless Vision grew to over 800 locations, and we were proud to be certified as one of the “Best Retailers to Work For” in 2020, ranking 11th nationally. Our success would not have been possible without the incredible partnership between the five of us. Today, Wireless Vision operates 451 locations across the United States, and we remain most proud of the positive impact we’ve had on our employees, communities, and customers.

2016 Vision Growth Partners & Diversified Investments

After securing private equity investment from Gauge Capital in 2016, my passion for multi-unit operations expanded. We established Vision Growth Partners, through which we acquired and operated over 350 Regis-brand hair salons, including Supercuts, Cost Cutters, and Holiday Hair. We also invested in a small-format grocery business in Houston, Texas, which we recently exited with strong results.

2024 Launching Ammori Equity Partners

In the past year, under Ammori Equity Partners, we’ve focused on new opportunities in the car wash and fitness industries. We acquired 19 Zax Car Wash locations, marking our entry into the car wash space. These ventures reflect our ongoing commitment to growth, innovation, and creating value across diverse industries.