Turning Vision Into Impact
Saad Nadhir is honored as Businessperson of the Year
By CN Staff
From launching fast-casual restaurant concepts to building international retail and entertainment platforms, Saad Nadhir has spent a career transforming bold ideas into enduring enterprises. In 2026, the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce will honor Nadhir as its Businessperson of the Year, recognizing not only his corporate achievements but also his longstanding commitment to mentorship and community leadership.
Nadhir is the principal co-founder and chief executive officer of Urban Plates LLC, a San Diego–based polished fast-casual restaurant company known for its made-from-scratch, culinary-driven approach. Urban Plates employs approximately 1,000 team members and operates 22 locations in California, earning national recognition as one of the highest per-unit-volume fast-casual brands in the country.
The goal has always been to create a place where people enjoy fresh, high-quality food in a welcoming environment. It’s about more than food—it’s about community, teamwork, and culture.
That philosophy has guided a professional journey spanning decades, industries, and continents.
Business Building
Earlier in his career, Nadhir was part of a small group of partners that acquired a controlling interest in Boston Chicken, Inc. when the company operated just 20 restaurants. As vice chairman, co-chairman, and chief executive officer, he helped lead one of the fastest expansions in restaurant industry history. Within five years, Boston Chicken grew to more than 1,000 locations nationwide, generating over $1 billion in annual sales as a publicly traded company.
Under Nadhir’s leadership, the company built one of the most extensive retail real estate development organizations in the country, created a nationwide franchise and licensing network, managed more than $50 million annually in marketing funds, and hired and trained over 20,000 employees. Through its publicly traded Einstein/Noah Bagel subsidiary, the company also expanded a bakery-bagel concept to several hundred locations across the U.S.
After stepping away from day-to-day management, Nadhir was later called back by the board to serve as CEO during a critical restructuring period, helping stabilize the company and ultimately guiding its sale to McDonald’s Corporation.
Nadhir also played a pivotal role in the global growth of Blockbuster Entertainment Corporation. As chief development officer for the Midwest and later head of international development and operations, he oversaw Blockbuster’s expansion outside the United States and Canada. In that role, he established joint ventures, licenses, and company-owned operations in the United Kingdom, Spain, Venezuela, Chile, Mexico, Australia, Guam, and Japan, while helping open more than 500 stores per year through a centralized distribution system.
His entrepreneurial reach extended into international retail as co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Waldo’s Dollar Mart–Mexico, a single-price-point retailer. Nadhir developed and operated the first 75 stores before selling his interest; the brand has since grown to more than 300 locations.
More recently, Nadhir founded Blue Link Wireless LLC, now one of the top five largest AT&T wireless retailers in the United States, operating more than 220 stores across 21 states with a scalable infrastructure designed to support continued growth.
Leadership in Action
Nadhir has an incredible ability to see opportunity where others see risk.
Beyond the boardroom, Nadhir is deeply committed to mentorship, education, and service. He supports initiatives that strengthen entrepreneurship in the Chaldean community and beyond, and he serves as a trustee of the University of Detroit Mercy.
“Business is about people,” is his philosophy. “If you can build opportunities for others while growing your organization, that’s true success.”
Nadhir began his professional career practicing law in Michigan, Texas, and California before transitioning fully into business development and leadership. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, a Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit, and a Master of Laws from the University of Miami.
The Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce will celebrate Nadhir at its Annual Awards Dinner on April 23, 2026, at Shenandoah Country Club in West Bloomfield.
“Saad’s story is inspiring because it shows how leadership, vision, and community commitment can create lasting impact,” said CACC President Martin Manna.
Whether expanding a restaurant concept, scaling a retail operation, or mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs, Nadhir continues to blend ambition with purpose.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible teams,” he has said. “The best part is seeing people grow, communities thrive, and ideas come to life.”