One of our very own, Zach Zelickson, has been selected for the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s annual 40 Under 40 list, a prestigious list of local rising stars spanning a myriad of industries.
Zach, who is Vice President of Development for Border Foods and our real estate arm, Marvin Development, says he thought the email announcement he received was junk at first! Once he took the news seriously, he immediately wondered who nominated him.
Truthfully, this well-deserved nomination came together with the help of several colleagues, both inside our company and beyond because so many think he’s the best at what he does.
Zach’s results speak for themselves: a track record of on time, on budget high-performing builds that have directly fueled Border’s growth.
– Aaron Engler, CEO & President
Fast Facts
Zach has been involved in real estate for more than a decade. He worked for a property management firm right after college, attended law school at the University of St. Thomas and gained real-world experience working for an REIT. His ties to our company are many – his dad formerly worked at Border Foods; he grew up in the same neighborhood as Founder Lee Engler’s family and therefore went to school with Mollie Sommer (Lee’s daughter and Border Foods’ Community Engagement Specialist); and eventually, he landed an externship with one of our law firm partners.
Zach joined Marvin Development in 2018 and today, has overseen the development of 30-plus Taco Bell locations across 10 states.
“Zach owns our entire development lifecycle: finding a site, navigating entitlements, managing construction and closing deals,” shares Aaron Engler, CEO and President. “He does this while maintaining a pace of roughly five to 10 restaurants a year, a cadence that would be difficult for even seasoned developers, let alone someone in their 30s.”
“Developing in QSR tends to be a grind,” Aaron continues. “Sites are competitive, municipalities are slow, timelines push and the margin for error is thin. What makes Zach exceptional is that he thrives in that environment.”
Zach believes success in his tight-knit industry can be measured by the relationships built and how they are managed. Personally, he gets his satisfaction from completing a build.
“We’re building real assets in the communities that we touch,” he says with pride.
Zach walks into every deal and market wearing more hats than most in similar roles. He’s a licensed attorney who understands real estate law … that legal ability combined with genuine development experience makes him unusually effective at getting deals done.
– Aaron Engler, CEO & President
The Real Deal
The Business Journal’s selection criteria for 40 Under 40 is based on merits, achievements, and professional and community contributions. Check out who made the 2026 list with Zach! But our nomination was about so much more than just Zach, the dealmaker.
“It felt really special that it was from people I work with,” Zach says of the nomination. As a subscriber of the journal, he skims it regularly. When he reviewed past honorees from the same industry, he was humbled to be included in the group.
But Zach is equally admired! Attorney Mary Taylor from Winthrop and Weinstine says of him, “He’s smart, funny, and extremely capable, with a great understanding of human nature that really helps him in negotiations with sellers and city officials.”
He is also an exceptional model of Border Foods’ culture and values.
“Zach is very easy to get along with and is very well connected, which in his role, is incredibly valuable,” says Max Corrigan, Vice President of Analytics and Marketing.
Up Next
Zach and his wife, along with several from Border Foods, will attend the 40 Under 40 awards ceremony April 23. In the meantime, Zach says construction season is about to start, which means he’s already moving full speed ahead on 2027 planning.
We say, get after it, Zach!
About Marvin Development
Founded in 1983 by Border Foods Founders Jeff and Lee Engler, Marvin Development is a commercial real estate developer and investment company specializing in quality retail development, including complex restaurant builds and quick service restaurant (QSR) development.
