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Men Who Make A Difference: Freddie Wehbe
Wehbe is the owner of six Gator Domino’s stores with another on the way; he got his start at Domino’s working as a delivery driver while attending the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne. Since starting the Gator Domino’s franchise in Gainesville, he has won almost every significant company award many times over. His success, however, has never gone to his head — Wehbe works constantly to better himself, his business, his employees and his community.
Each month, Wehbe reads one or two motivational books; he believes learning and analyzing other people’s success is integral to building your own. “If you study every success story out there, the one thing that stands out is learning,” Wehbe said. “The more you know, the more you know what to do and what not to do.”
Wehbe’s life and priorities have changed recently; he is focused on spending time with his wife, Daurine, and their seven-month-old son, Ronnie. He and his company are still, however, involved with many charities and organizations, including Tyler’s Hope for a Dystonia Cure, the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation that is working to raise money for a children’s hospital in Gainesville, Keep Alachua County Beautiful, the Downtown Art Festival and LifeSouth Community Blood Centers.
Instead of supporting the same charities, Wehbe will work with a charity for two to three years, he said, because there are so many worthy causes out there. “I like to enhance different (charities) to help impact different parts of the community.”
Wehbe has helped many charities not only with monetary donations but by sharing his knowledge of business. He has a strong desire to see Gainesville community businesses, charities and the local economy flourish.
Despite his success and all he has done to help the community, Wehbe remains humble. He stresses that he does not work with charities and to benefit the community for the recognition or so his business will sell more pizzas. He, and his team of 180 employees led by Vice President of Operations, Eric Smith, do, however, give of themselves because they know it’s the right and responsible thing to do.
“I want my business to succeed because we’re doing, and want to always do, the right thing … We want to be the best and want people to order pizza from us because of who we are as a business,” Wehbe said. “If every business does a little to help their community, it truly makes it a better place for everyone.”
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