Parma 7-Eleven franchisee buys second store in the city

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Chances are, if you stop in the 7-Eleven store at Ridgewood and Ridge, you'll find Adam Radogna making sure everything's running smoothly.

(Mark Holan/special to cleveland.com)

PARMA, Ohio - When Adam Radogna started working the third shift at the am/pm store in the BP station at the corner of Denison Avenue and Fulton Road in Cleveland's Brooklyn Centre neighborhood, he was only 19 years old. He quickly worked his way up to assistant manager and then manager of the store before it was purchased by 7-Eleven.

That's when Radogna's fortunes began to change, and he started a meteroric rise up the ranks in the convenience store chain as a franchisee. First with the store at Pleasant Valley and Broadview roads in Parma, and now, at the age of 27, he bought his second 7-Eleven franchise store at the BP station at Ridgewood and Ridge roads.

"When 7-Eleven bought the store at Fulton and Denison, they offered me additional training and the chance to become one of their corporate managers," Radogna said.

Since he was already a corporate store manager, he was able to access 7-Eleven's Store Manager Franchise Support Program's financial incentives to buy his first franchise.

Now, Radogna is one of the chain's "poster boys" for upward mobility in 7-Eleven's Business Leadership Council. He's been to the chain's Dallas headquarters and attended seminars there.

The Old Brooklyn resident spends a great deal of time between his two stores, but he loves the constant workload of overseeing all aspects of the business.

"Nothing is given," Radogna said. "You have to work for it."

As the son of Italian immigrants, he's well accustomed to a strict work ethic.

He has also been active as a business owner in the community, supporting Normandy High School activities since the school is just to the west of the Broadview/Pleasant Valley store.

"For the past two years, I've made contributions to Normandy and Hillside Middle School," Radogna said. "This includes grants, coupons and snack donations for PTA events. I've even participated in the schools' fundraisers.

"It helps build mutual support," Radogna said. "My store is recognized in the community because of our involvement with local schools.

"One of the schools even put up a 7-Eleven banner in the gym because of the donations we've made. As a result, the teachers and parents always patronize my store," Radogna said.

Since he bought the new store Dec. 5, this Christmas will be special, but you'll find him keeping things running efficiently and overseeing operations because of the pride he takes in his achievements at a young age.

"I'm grateful for my parents setting an example of working hard to achieve success," Radogna said.

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