The Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced its winner for the SBA’s 2018 Small Business Person of the Year for Central California and the Central Coast: President of Deli Delicious Franchising Mohammad Hobab.

Hobab is originally from Iran, where he was a successful banker and engineer. He left the country in the 1980s to find a better life for him and his family in the United States.

In 1995, the Hobab family bought a small sandwich shop in Fresno and kept the name of “Deli Delicious”.

Deli Delicious started franchising in 2008, and now has 53 locations across 28 California cities, and plans to have at least 150 locations in the state by 2021.

“Mohammad Hobab is an inspiring example of the American dream of owning a small business,” said Dawn Golik, Fresno SBA district director. “The Small Business Administration is honored to be part of Deli Delicious’ success story. SBA programs supported Deli Delicious as they got going in Fresno, and kept growing to 28 cities around California. We are proud to see them opening DD’s Bakery and bringing more jobs to the Central California region.”

To give back to the community, Hobab has franchising employees volunteer as mentors to local groups that help other entrepreneurs and established a scholarship program that benefits students pursuing careers in business and the hospitality industry.

The SBA will recognize Hobab on May 2 at 10:30 a.m. at 4383 N. Knoll when Deli Deli Delicious holds a ribbon cutting for DD’s Bakery, a new business under Deli Delicious that will provide fresh bread for their locations.