Retail | Wholesale | Food | Beverage 2025: QREITEM, FOUAD A.

In the late 1990s, Qreitem founded Capital Restaurant Group, the company behind Paisano’s Pizza, based in Chantilly. He opened his first Paisano’s location in the Shops at Fair Lakes 25 years ago and the brand became a franchise model in 2009.

The company now has more than 40 locations in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., and serves pizzas, pasta, wings, salads, subs, calzones, desserts and more, as well as being part of a joint venture with Seasons Pizza, a 32-store chain in the Northeast U.S. In 2024, Paisano’s sold nine franchise agreements in Northern Virginia, and this year, the company moved its flagship pizza shop to a larger site at East Market at Fairfax.

In 2024, Qreitem became a member of the statewide Virginia Growth and Opportunity Board, aka GO Virginia, a group that promotes regional economic development and workforce development across the commonwealth. He’s also served on several civic organizations’ boards, including Joe Gibbs’ Youth for Tomorrow Foundation and Visit Fairfax.

Qreitem also earned the title of honorary commander at Andrews Air Force Base in 2023 for his dedication to leadership and service to his community.

FAVORITE TEAM: Paisano’s is proud to be the official pizza of the Washington Commanders.

Return to the full list of this category’s recipients.