Malik Khar Built Businesses in Pakistan. Now He’s Betting on Oxi Fresh.
When Malik Khar arrived in the United States in March 2025, he didn’t waste time. He had already built and led businesses across agriculture, education, and fuel retail in Pakistan—managing over 100 employees and navigating the full complexity of running multiple operations at once. What he needed wasn’t business experience. He needed the right opportunity. He found it in Oxi Fresh.
Khar has officially taken over ownership of Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning of Durham, NC—a territory serving more than 300,000 residents. His path to franchising is a compelling example of what it looks like when an experienced operator chooses a proven franchise system over starting from scratch.
A Profile in Decisive Ownership
Khar’s business background is unusually diverse. In Pakistan, he founded Superior College Sanawan to deliver higher education to a rural, underserved community; oversaw a commercial gas station; and managed 200 acres of farmland complete with citrus and mango orchards, drip irrigation systems, and diversified crops. He also served as an elected mayor and as District President of the Pakistan Muslim League.
What drew him to Oxi Fresh wasn’t just the business model. It was the culture he observed in the organization itself.
“In our country, we say that if you want to know a leader’s character, look at how long their people have stayed with them,” said Khar. “When I saw how many people at Oxi Fresh had been there for ten or more years, I knew I was dealing with a good organization.”
That kind of evaluative thinking—looking at retention, culture, and consistency—reflects the mindset that makes for a strong franchisee. Khar approached the search decisively, committed once he identified the right fit, and has been executing ever since.
Getting to Work in Durham
Khar is launching with two vehicles and two technicians while immediately beginning a ground-up marketing push across the territory. He’s out in the community, leveraging local relationships and organic word-of-mouth to build brand awareness. His plan is to scale as demand permits—a patient, fundamentals-first approach grounded in real operational experience.
“If you market well, you can really do well,” Khar said. “With 300,000 people in this territory, the opportunity is there.”
Kris Antolak, Vice President of Oxi Fresh, put it plainly: “He has now managed businesses on multiple continents, led large teams, and navigated complex environments—and he’s bringing all of that expertise to the Durham community.”
Thinking about franchise ownership?
Malik Khar’s story is a reminder that franchising with Oxi Fresh doesn’t require a background in carpet cleaning—it requires business discipline, a willingness to work the system, and the drive to build something lasting. If you’re evaluating your next move, learn more about what it takes to open an Oxi Fresh in your market.