Poor, fatherless boy becomes Burger King mogul and gives $2m to charity

John Gullo, who grew up in a rough Italian neighborhood of Buffalo, New York, overcame a poor, fatherless childhood to become a successful businessman and philanthropist. Now 82, Gullo built a career around Burger King and opened 54 restaurants in Utah, Arizona, and Wisconsin, including the first Burger King attached to a gas station in Hurricane, Utah.

However, Gullo's definition of success has always been about happiness, service, and generosity rather than wealth. After selling his restaurants, Gullo became deeply involved in mentoring kids and giving back to the community. In 2002, he founded the American Dream Foundation, which has donated over $2 million to various causes serving children, families, classrooms, firefighters, and people with disabilities since its establishment.

Gullo has also written a memoir, Extraordinary Adventures of an Ordinary Man, co-authored with Bridget Cook-Burch, donating all proceeds to charity. Gullo's influence extends beyond business and philanthropy, as he has developed an interest in pickleball, helped build hundreds of courts, founded the Professional Pickleball Federation, and created the Tournament of Champions.

His dedication to service and bringing people together is exemplified by his long-standing partnership with former NBA player Thurl Bailey on charity initiatives. Gullo's story is an inspiring testament to the fact that success is more than just financial achievement; it's about creating opportunities for others and using one's success to make a positive impact on the world.