44-year-old left his tech job and started a halal burger joint—his restaurants brought in over $4 million in 2025

Shahezad Contractor’s initial aim in starting his halal burger business was simple: “I wanted more halal options.”

Now, with eight locations across the Northeast, he has much bigger dreams for Cousin’s Burger, the halal restaurant chain he launched in 2024.

“Our goal is to be the next In-and-Out or the next Shake Shack,” Contractor tells CNBC Make It.

Contractor, 44, is the founder and CEO of Cousin’s Food Inc., a halal restaurant group based in Philadelphia. Along with Cousin’s Burger, Contractor also owns a halal pizza shop, Cousin’s Pizza, and a halal barbecue joint, Cousin’s Smokehouse and Burgers.

Collectively, his restaurants brought in over $4 million in revenue in 2025, according to documents reviewed by CNBC Make It.