Ex-army Red Cap Chris Mark is used to following an ordered system and put this training to good use when he bought a Cornish Oggy Oggy Pasty Company franchise.
Chris said: “After 22 years in the army I was on paid leave and a friend gave me a free ticket to the London franchise exhibition. When I got to the Oggy Oggy stand, I knew right away it was for me. I love Cornish pasties! I’m from that part of the world and I’ve eaten every type there is. So I’m not just saying this because I’m a franchisee now – Oggy Oggy’s pasties are the best.�
In October 2004 Chris opened an Oggy Oggy outlet in Colchester and then another one in Ipswich a few months later!
Chris explained how different his life is now: “I was a bodyguard for people like the Queen, ambassadors and other famous people. There’s a lot of danger and your life is always in other people’s hands. I definitely prefer what I’m doing now because I’m my own boss. With Oggy Oggy I know what I’ll be doing this time next week, whereas in the army I didn’t.�
Although he now runs two outlets, Chris still has a lot of time for himself and his family as he has employed managers to run both stores. “This means I can keep my options open and focus on further expansion. I definitely want to take on more stores and I’d have no problems going to Europe if the company ever took things that far. As long as I can get to one of my operations in a couple of hours, that’s fine by me.�
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