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BALDINOS IN THE NEWS
Pride. Hard work. Determination. Those are the words people use to explain the success of Bill Pappas, owner of Baldino's Sub Shops.

Its the only way an immigrant who knew two sentences original baldinos of English when he arrived in this country 14 years ago could have built such a thriving business with four franchises, and more in the planning.

Like many Greeks who have settled in the Fayetteville area, Bill Pappas came to America to escape the depressed economy of Greece and find better working opportunities. And like many Greeks in this area, he went into the restaurant business.

'' If you don't speak English, but you can work 16 hours a day, seven days a week, what else is there?'' he says.

Pappas came to Fayetteville from Greece in 1968. Like many immigrants, he already had family here, two brothers. Pappas worked and saved and in 1977, bought the original Baldino's on Bragg Boulevard.

Four years later, he has four additional franchises, and is planning several more. He likes the sandwich shop type of restaurant because it moves fast, and gets lots of traffic throughout the day.

'' I always wanted a little better than the traditional Greek joint- you know, greasy, beef stew,'' he says. ''I work like a Greek and try to think like an American. If you can do that, you'll be successful.''

Pappas loves this country and its people. He married an American five years ago, and has two sons. But he also wants to preserve his Greek heritage.