Charlie Zhang says that behind every immigrant who’s made it, there’s someone who was patient and kind.
“Someone who repeated themselves twice or three times because the person in front of them was still learning the language, and saw a person who was trying,” the founder of Zion Enterprises and Chinese fast-food chain Pick Up Stix said during the Business Journal’s 2025 Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards held March 26 at the Irvine Marriott. “That is not a small thing.”
Zhang, who received an EiE award last year, told the crowd of 328 his initial reaction when asked to deliver the keynote for this year’s event was to say no because he “didn’t see himself as someone who belongs on the stage,” but as someone who used to wash dishes.
Zhang grew up in Shanghai during the Cultural Revolution. At the age of 24, he arrived in the U.S. with just $20 and knowing very little English. He worked as a dishwasher and gas station attendant to support himself before saving enough to open his own restaurant, which eventually became known as Pick Up Stix. It grew to 85 restaurants before he sold it to TGI Fridays for $50 million in 2001.
During the event, two pairs and three individuals were recognized for their ability to overcome hardships. Like Zhang, many credited the “kindness” of Orange County for giving them the chance they needed.
“I’m the result of the kindness of this country,” Viet Nguyen, co-founder and co-chief executive of Kei Concepts, said when accepting the award.
The event’s five honorees, selected from nearly 80 nominees, were:
– Kaye and Kavous Gitibin, co-founders of Go Rentals in Newport Beach.
– Ivy Ha and Viet Nguyen, co-founder and co-CEOs of Kei Concepts in Huntington Beach
– Vincent Curcie, founder and CEO of OC Solar in Irvine
– Lisa Bhathal Merage, co-founder and managing partner of Newport Beach-based RAJ Capital and co-founder and chief impact officer of Revitate in Newport Beach
– Kurt Busch, founder and CEO of Syntiant Corp. in Irvine
Separately, Nguyen was also named the Business Journal’s Restaurateur of the Year. Read Christopher Trela’s profile on him in the March 30 edition.
Upcoming Events
The Business Journal’s next event is the CFO of the Year Awards on May 12, where the master of ceremonies will be Murray Rudin, managing director of RLH Equity Partners in Irvine. Also coming up is the 27th annual Family-Owned Business Awards on June 11.
