Troy Richards is the Chief Executive Officer at Over Easy Franchising, a local breakfast and lunch restaurant that has grown to 8 locations in Arizona. He has 25 years in the franchise industry. At the height of the business, Richards had over 400 employees throughout the state of Arizona and has owned and operated over 30 restaurants. Troy actively serves on the foundation board of the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and has been involved in TGen’s growth in many areas, including advanced adrenal cancer research and institution-wide marketing. He received the Karl Eller Fellowship Business Award at the University of Arizona – other past recipients include the current governor of Arizona. Learn more about Troy Richards…
Hometown: Albuquerque, NM (Lived in AZ for 30 years)
First job: Musicland….Kids, this was a store that actually sold records and cassettes that you played on a record player or in a cassette deck (Google if still confused).
Favorite AZ restaurant: That’s a hard one, Over Easy of course and anyone that makes good Mexican food.
Person who has impacted your life the most: Mom and Dad. They supported anything I wanted to do, even if they knew (which he did) it would be a tough road to success.
Your biggest accomplishment in your eyes: It relates to my biggest obstacle. I started a cancer research project at TGEN, (which I presently serve on the TGEN Foundation Board ) for a rare form of adrenal cancer. In addition, I formed the first international support group for survivors and their families.
The biggest obstacle you have overcome: Diagnosed with adrenal cancer when I was 36 and given 6 months to live. I’ve had 4 recurrences, 5 major surgeries, and chemo twice. Now one of the longest living survivors with adrenal cancer at 21 years. Not sure I’d classify that as an accomplishment as much as great doctors and being very lucky and blessed.
Someone who inspires you: There’s many, but, brother, sister and my wife and (our dogs for sure). Outside of that, definitely the unsung heroes of the laboratories. I’ve spent a lot of time in the research labs at TGEN and these folks are saving lives every day and rarely getting recognized for it. I have to mention Casey Strale and Kendall Bayne, these were two teenagers that I got to know very well who succumbed to adrenal cancer. Their attitudes and fight were something I’ve never seen before right until the end, it doesn’t get more inspirational than that.
Favorite quote: “If I could be half the person my dog is, I’d be twice the human I am.” Charles Yu
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: DON’T DO IT!!(LOL) – The restaurant business is a very difficult business and not for the faint of heart. I would say surround yourself with experienced people that are more talented than you and let them do their jobs.
What you think makes someone fabulous: Being able to laugh at themselves.
