Jack Cowin, the visionary behind Competitive Foods Australia, has an inspiring story that began with humble beginnings. As a child, he showed remarkable entrepreneurial spirit by engaging in various jobs like shoveling snow, delivering newspapers, and selling Christmas cards. By the time he reached his 20s, his focus shifted to the fast-food industry, and the rest is history.

Uncover the Success Story of a Fast Food Mogul

An Enterprising Childhood

Growing up in Canada, Cowin quickly realized the importance of freedom. His father's job with the Ford Motor Company required frequent travel, and Cowin didn't want to be bound by a corporate schedule. Instead, he spent his free time mowing lawns and delivering newspapers. At a young age, he became a salesperson, selling trees, shrubs, and nursing stock. By college, he was making more money than his professors. He graduated from the University of Western Ontario in 1964 with a bachelor's degree and went on to sell life insurance with great success.

Striking Gold in Australia

In the late 1960s, Cowin received a call from his high school friends who were working for Kentucky Fried Chicken in Australia. They saw the potential for fast food in the country and invited Cowin to join them. After conducting market research, Cowin decided to invest in a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise. Despite not having the funds initially, he managed to raise $300,000 by getting 30 Canadians to lend him $10,000 each. By December 1969, he opened his first KFC franchise in Perth, Australia, and it was an instant success. Today, he owns over 380 locations of Hungry Jack's and his business is worth over $3 billion.

Building an Empire

Cowin's success didn't stop at KFC. He expanded his business into the hamburger and pizza industries and even ventured into food manufacturing. His company, Competitive Foods Australia, now operates Burger King as "Hungry Jack's" in Australia and is the largest shareholder of Domino's Pizza in the country. He also backs a plant-based meat substitute company called v2food. His business brings in over $300 million a year, and he owns 98% of the company.

The Secret to Success

When asked about his secret to sales, Cowin said, "I think the secret is, whatever you do, do it well. The people that lent me the money really backed me as the investment. I was the investment." He also believes that when you can't tell the difference between work and play, you're in the right place. He has never really worked a day in his life because he has enjoyed every moment.Want to earn more money at work? Take CNBC's new online course How to Negotiate a Higher Salary. Expert instructors will teach you the skills you need to get a bigger paycheck, including how to prepare and build your confidence, what to do and say, and how to craft a counteroffer. Sign up today and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 50% off through Nov. 26, 2024.Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life.