John and Karen Gullo

Play hard, work hard, do something good for your community. What a recipe for success and a long and happy life. And it’s the “passionate pattern of activity” followed by John Gullo every day.

“Hey,” says Gullo, “I’m a third-generation Sicilian and we are passionate people, what can I say?”

Some would say Gullo is just too good to be true, he’s certainly unique. After literally starting from nothing he succeeded in burgers and fries as a Burger King franchisee at one time controlling 44 franchises in three different states. In 1977, Gullo came to Utah to open his first franchise in Logan, the second Burger King in Utah and just continued learning and building.

His rearing in Western New York in the Buffalo area gave him a street-savvy not always enjoyed and fully appreciated by others. As a result, Gullo is a quick study and can smell out opportunity when others are still scratching their heads. “I can just see things.” he says, “I just like to move out on things.”

Gullo is always reaching back to his roots. “I’m a leather jacket, grease ball, who grew up in New York and barely made it out of high school but I love America.” That love for his country has not only made him a successful businessman but also engendered a passion for the freedoms available to all Americans.

Gullo’s business partner died suddenly in the mid-50s, which gave him a huge shock and the realization that you can’t take it with you. “It was at that time that I began thinking ahead what I could do to make a difference and to give something back for all the good that has happened to me.”

After several more years of building Burger Kings, Gullo decided on a strategy for the rest of his life that would enable him to use his talents as a marketer and manager to improve the quality of life in the Ogden area. He and his wife, Karen, started the American Dream Foundation to that end a few years ago. Gullo says that he has lived the American Dream and that he wants others to have that opportunity too. The goal of the American Dream Foundation is to help local charities, especially those benefiting youth,

An opportunity presented itself in 2001 when his son, namesake and business partner, John D. Gullo, suggested that together they organize a Fourth of July celebration in Ogden where there hadn’t been one for 30 years. The 2002 event was branded Hot Rock’n 4th. In 7 years the event has raised over $ 600,000 with United Way providing a 5 % match for the funds raised for over 20 Weber County non profits.

The Gullo’s have sponsored the Great American Freedom Trail at the Treehouse Museum. This exhibit is used by Northern Utah schools 5th graders as part of their American history Curriculum. Other charities include the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Enable Industries, The Christmas Box House, Ogden City Police Lets Play Program, Youth Impact, Prevent Child Abuse Utah and Children’s Justice Center, Ogden Fire Department Boots & Bunkers Program.

Richard Paul Evans, noted author and founder of The Christmas Box House said about John and Karen Gullo and their American Dream Foundation, “We are grateful to work with them. Their concern for youth is not only genuine, but passionate too. They have helped us help many children have a better life and a more hopeful future.”

Five years ago, Gullo sold most of his Burger Kings owning and running now just four with his son. Since then Karen and John have concentrated more on education. He was elected to the Ogden School District Board and then the ATC Board. Karen was busy helping in reading classes in Ogden in her spare time, while directing ADF’s efforts with their scholarship program, Prevent Child Abuse Utah and OFD’s Boots & Bunkers Fire Prevention program. Then with their daughter Karlie, they implemented Imagination Learning of Ogden, a program that delivers books to children in Ogden one month old until they are 5. Over 1,000 children have benefited. They funded the Book Apollo for the Weber School district, which teaches sixth graders about the free enterprise system.

They have produced 6 videos on patriotism and over 8 videos for Ogden Weber Non Profits to tell their story and raise awareness for what they do.

More than anything else, the Gullo see the efforts of the American Dream Foundation and Hot Rock’n 4th as community-building activities. “I guess it’s just that passion coming out in me again but I see people coming together for a common purpose, to improve conditions for everyone, especially our youth, in this great land of America. Yes behind every successful man there is a woman, and Karen keeps me together.

The Ogden Area is fortunate to have passionate and engaged individuals like John & Karen Gullo who are willing to step forward and put his resources into improving the quality of life for everyone, especially kids.