Building a Restaurant Empire: Sunny Singh’s Journey From Healthcare to Hospitality Success
In the competitive landscape of Toronto’s restaurant scene, few entrepreneurs have demonstrated the versatility and business acumen of Sunny Singh (Gursharn). As the Co-founder and CEO of Adobo Fresh Burrito Franchising Corp. and Indolicious, Singh has masterfully crafted a culinary empire that spans multiple successful brands including Hakkalicious. His entrepreneurial journey, which began in healthcare and daycare operations, has evolved into a remarkable success story in the restaurant industry, marked by strategic growth and operational excellence. Starting with the first Lazeez Shawarma franchise, Singh has since built a diverse portfolio of restaurant brands that have become staples in the Greater Toronto Area’s dining scene.
In an exclusive interview with Entrepreneur Loop, Singh opens up about his transformative journey from healthcare professional to restaurant mogul. With his inspiring motto “If you can dream it, you can achieve it,” he shares crucial insights into team building, brand development, and the essential qualities needed for entrepreneurial success. His story is not just about business growth; it’s a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and strategic vision.
Please provide a brief introduction of yourself and your professional background.
As Co-founder and CEO of Adobo Fresh Burrito Franchising Corp and Indolicious, Sunny Singh (Gursharn) is a seasoned restaurateur with over a decade of hands-on restaurant and business experience. After building a successful daycare business and running the first Lazeez Shawarma franchise, he co-founded Adobo Fresh Burrito — a fast-casual Mexican restaurant in the Greater Toronto Area that has grown multifolds. With a background in healthcare and real estate, and as co-owner of ventures like Hakkalicious and Indolicious, Sunny has built a diverse portfolio of restaurant brands that combine strong operations with a deep understanding of entrepreneurship.
How did you go about building your team and attracting talent in the early days?
In the early days of Fresh Burrito, building the right team was key to our success and that includes employees and the right franchisee network. I focused on hiring individuals with great communication skills, who are motivated and customer-focused. But I also equally focused on what I can offer them. It’s not just about the pay, it is also about creating a positive work environment where people feel respected and appreciated. I made sure our team had the chance to grow and advance within the company, which keeps them engaged and motivated to this day.
What have been some of the toughest decisions you’ve had to make as a founder? Any stand out as pivotal?
One of the most difficult decisions was moving forward without a clear path laid out for me or a tried-and-tested formula. I had big ambitions but no blueprint on how to achieve them. As an entrepreneur, the journey can be pretty isolating because no one is motivating you or showing you the way. In such a case, one of the toughest decisions I have to make almost on a daily basis is to keep going without always knowing what the outcome would be. The reward that comes with it is that you begin to trust your instincts and strengthen your mental muscle in the process.
What does a typical day or week look like for you? How do you manage work-life balance?
My days are rarely the same, but they always start early with a quick check-in with emails, updates from franchisees, and anything that needs immediate attention. Mornings are usually focused on reviewing performance across our stores, connecting with my core teams, and making sure we’re on track operationally. There’s a lot of multitasking, and plans often shift based on what needs attention, whether it’s sales numbers, supply issues, or staffing.
As the day goes on, I spend time on what helps us grow — from evaluating new franchise partners to working on site selection and reviewing marketing campaigns. I’m also involved in brand management, which includes developing new menu ideas, approving promotions, and working with our legal team on agreements. I’m often moving between calls, team check-ins, and decisions that impact the bigger picture of the brand. Some afternoons are spent visiting stores or doing virtual walkthroughs to stay connected with what’s happening on the ground.
Evenings, especially when I’m traveling or hosting, are about relationships whether that’s sitting down with franchisees, attending an industry event, or just unwinding over dinner with a potential partner. Work-life balance in this space is never a straight line. It’s never perfect — but it’s about being present. I’ve learned to make space for rest, family time, and self-reflection whenever I can. I also believe that building a strong team and trusting them makes all the difference. Delegating, setting boundaries, and knowing when to pause has helped me sustain this journey over the long term.
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were first starting out?
I wish I had realized how powerful data and feedback can be. With our initial ventures, we initially relied largely on intuition. Once we started listening to feedback from our customers and franchisees, things started to move faster, and we could make smarter decisions. The right insights are crucial in scaling effectively. You need vision, but you also need reliable data that proves or disproves your hypothesis so you can grow accordingly.
What are the most important skills someone needs to be a successful founder, in your opinion?
To be a successful entrepreneur, I believe resilience, flexibility, leadership, and a long-term vision are the skills that really matter. First, resilience, which is essentially the ability to continue when things don’t go according to plan. I’ve had to start over, made significant mistakes, and worked 90-hour weeks. My perseverance was driven by the belief that failure was a necessary part of the process rather than a flawless plan. Adaptability is just as important. Whether I was launching a daycare without any experience or learning the restaurant business from scratch, I had to learn quickly, make decisions in real-time, and pivot without overthinking too much.
Leadership is significantly important. You’re constantly working with people — your team, your partners, your customers. Being present, communicating effectively, and showing up for your team on a daily basis are all aspects of good leadership. You don’t have to have all of the answers, but you must be willing to set an example.
And finally, long-term vision. You need to look at the big picture. When we opened our first Fresh Burrito location, we focused on doing that one store well. We didn’t anticipate it growing so fast, but because we established it thoughtfully, growth followed. The same mindset guides all my business ventures.
What do you find most rewarding and most challenging about being an entrepreneur?
The most rewarding part is seeing your vision come to life, creating jobs, establishing communities, and experiencing your staff and customers grow with you. The exciting thing is that every day presents a fresh challenge. You’re continuously learning, evolving, and pushing boundaries. The path is not always predictable, but it is significantly fulfilling.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who want to start their own company?
“If you can dream it, you can achieve it,” is something that I constantly remind myself of. When I first started, I had no plan, just a dream, commitment, and a readiness to pick things up as I went along. If you have a dream, start where you are and put in the work instead of waiting for situations to be perfect. It won’t be easy, but consistency, hard work, and the willingness to learn will take you farther than waiting for the perfect plan.
Singh’s evolution from healthcare professional to restaurant industry leader exemplifies the transformative power of entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering determination. His success story proves that with the right combination of vision, resilience, and adaptability, it’s possible to build a thriving business empire even without initial industry experience. As the restaurant sector continues to evolve, Singh’s approach to business development and leadership serves as an invaluable blueprint for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to make their mark in the dynamic world of hospitality.
