Serving with commitment  |  Mission Statement  |  About us

V & J Foods, Inc., a Burger King franchisee, was founded in 1982 by Valerie Daniels-Carter and John Daniels, Jr. The company commenced operations in 1984 with a single Burger King restaurant and has grown into a 38-store operation, 12 units located in Metropolitan Milwaukee, and 26 units located in Metropolitan Detroit, eight of which were acquired in 2001 (V & J Foods of Michigan II, LLC).

V & J National Enterprises, LLC and V & J United Enterprises, LLC are Pizza Hut franchisees, founded in 1997 and 1999, respectively. The Syracuse, Rochester, Albany and western Massachussetts markets operate 64 restaurants and 4 non-traditional sites collectively.

V & J Holding Companies, Inc. (V & J) is the largest female-owned franchise organization in the U.S., as well as the largest minority-owned Pizza Hut franchisee in the U.S. With all restaurants combined, V & J is one of the largest restaurant franchise companies in the country.

V&J attributes its success to focused and committed employees, great values, and efficient operations. Each affiliated company within the V&J group has direct management to assure efficient and prompt customer satisfaction. Our company motto is “YATSE” (You Are the Standard of Excellence).

V&J is a team player and corporate leader. The company has received numerous awards and has been showcased in many national publications. We are most proud of our people who are tenured and experienced within the fast food industry. Our teams consistently deliver excellent results within their operational footprint, be it urban, suburban or a rural marketplace.

V&J’s senior management team is a professional group of individuals that are highly respected in the market place. This seasoned group is committed to the continual development of our organization. The restaurant management group of V&J is talented and mature – each committed to his/her areas of responsibility. In addition to senior management, the company employs a number of certified technicians in maintenance, technology, physical plant and finance. Our office administrative support teams embrace the vision by ensuring efficient operations within our regional offices and corporate headquarters.

The company prides itself on its involvement in civic, educational, and promotional activities. V&J is committed to sharing its experiences with other operators, entrepreneurs, franchise owners, and the youth.

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Our mission at V & J is to provide an excellent standard of customer service to each and every customer served on each and every visit.

We will be the "absolute" in our industry. We are the standard by which all others should be measured when it comes to superior hospitality, service, cleanliness, quality and value.

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Mrs. Valerie Daniels-Carter, along with her brother John started V & J Foods with a single Burger King restaurant in 1982. Within sixteen years, she nurtured the company into a 137-unit, multi-brand operation. First and foremost Mrs. Daniels-Carter is a God fearing woman. Her key beliefs include an insistence on: integrity, recognition, accountability, responsibility, respect, communication, commitment to excellence and passion. Mrs. Daniels- Carter has a hands-on approach. She focuses on the performance of each and every unit so that all are achieving positive results. Her corporate philosophy is “YATSE”: You are the Standard of Excellence. Mrs. Daniels-Carter laid the foundation for her successful career at Lincoln University where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. She later earned a Master’s of Science degree in Management from Cardinal Stritch University. Valerie Daniels-Carter is one of the best known fast-food operators in the United States.

In addition to owning and running successfully brands for two of the largest fast-food operations in the United States, she has teamed up with one of NBA’s most famous and valuable players, Shaquille O’Neal, to expand the horizons of Auntie Anne’s famous Pretzels. VJ & O’Neal Enterprises, LLC was established in 2006 by V&J and O’Neal Franchise. VJ & O’ Neal rolled out its first Auntie Anne’s soft Pretzel Corporation into the Eastland Mall in Harper Wood, MI. The next location will open in Saginaw, MI at the Fashion Square Mall. By next year VJ & O’Neal Enterprises, LLC will have opened thirty new Auntie Anne’s locations nationally.

Valerie Daniels-Carter has been widely recognized for her business judgment, having served on financial and corporate boards, and have led civic and business organizations. She is recognized by Essence Magazine as one of the 50 most admired African-Americans in the United States, joining the company of Oprah Winfrey and Colin Powell.

She began her career with First Wisconsin National Bank (now USbank) as a retail and commercial lender. She later accepted a position as an auditor for MGIC Investment Corporation in the financial underwriting division. Mrs. Daniels-Carter currently serves on numerous boards and committees. She has served as the President of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.; President of the Minority Franchise Association of Burger King Corporation; Executive Board Member of the National Franchisee Association; Board Member of Firstar Bank; Auto Club Group, AAA of Michigan and Wisconsin. She is actively involved with her church both locally and nationally.

In addition to her being featured in several national magazines and publications, in 2006, Mrs. Daniels-Carter received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letter from Cardinal Stritch University. She has been awarded a number of distinguishing honors including the Business Woman of the Year (2006) Frazier Network; Northwood University, Distinguished Business Leader Award; Trailblazer Award from North Milwaukee State Bank; Entrepreneurial Spirit Award presented at the Multicultural Prism Awards; Essence magazine’s Top 10 Black Female Entrepreneurs; Black Enterprise magazine’s Women of the B.E. 100; The Heritage Award from Spiritual Perspective; and the Business Award given by the National Rainbow Coalition. Her company, V & J has received awards such as the Top 500 Women-Owned Businesses (Working Woman Magazine); Top 200 Restaurants in the U.S. (Restaurant Finance Monitor); and numerous other accolades, both locally and nationally.

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