Abdirahman Kahin, CEO & Owner of Afro Deli & Grill is the Minnesota Small Business Person of the Year

MINNEAPOLIS – The U.S. Small Business Administration has named Abdirahman Kahin, CEO & Owner of Afro Deli and Grill, as Minnesota’s Small Business Person of the Year for 2023. Kahin will compete for National Small Business Person of the Year during National Small Business Week, which is taking place the first week of May, in Washington DC.

“Minnesota is home to wonderful resilient small businesses who anchor our communities. Rising to the top this year is Afro Deli & Grill, a fast-casual restaurant founded by Abdirahman Kahin,” said SBA’s Minnesota District Director Brian McDonald. "Kahin’s unique business concept coupled with the support of the SBA and his dedication reflects great credit on his business and has led to impressive growth to allow him to invest back into the local community.”

Afro Deli and Grill is a fusion restaurant that weaves together business, community, and culture that offers freshly made African, Mediterranean, and American food in a fast, fun, and friendly environment. When Abdirahman Kahin immigrated to the United States in 1996 and settled in Minnesota, he attended community college and developed the skills necessary to start his first business, a media production company. As his American dream evolved, he turned to his next venture; a unique restaurant with a new concept “healthy, fresh, assessable African food made to order at an affordable price”. Afro Deli's culture is rooted in the belief that good accessible food has the power to bring people together. Abdirahman believes food has no borders but has the power to convene people in meaningful ways.

Since the first location opened in 2010, Afro Deli has expanded to four total locations across the Twin Cities, with the goal to continue expanding and open Afro Deli’s in more cities across Minnesota and eventually across the country, becoming the first national African restaurant chain in the United States.

National Small Business Week 2023 is taking place the first week of May and is a national multiday virtual event open to all. The conference will feature numerous educational panels providing retooling and innovative practices for entrepreneurs as our nation’s small businesses look to pivot and recover toward a stronger economy. It also will recognize the national award winners, including the naming of this year’s National Small Business Person of the Year. For registration and additional information on National Small Business Week, visit sba.gov/NSBW.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit http://www.sba.gov/mn.

SBA Small Business Resource Partners

• Business consulting with a Minnesota Small Business Development Center

• Business mentorship with SCORE

• Business support with a Women’s Business Center

• Veterans Business Outreach Center for active duty, veterans, and family