Have you met Dino?

He’s our quirky, quick-witted, cucumber-loving Director of Operations. He’s got a tough outer shell; however, no one cares more about helping others than he does. He’s our rock.

“It’s the most refreshed I’ve felt working for any company ever, really,” says Dino. “Sunset Grill has been very accommodating to that work/life balance, which has been truly amazing. I’m able to get home and have dinner with the family, take my kids to whatever extra-curriculars they’re doing… making sure I’m there to do their homework with them at night…just to have dinner with your family is important.”

It’s something he’s forever grateful for.

When the Scarborough-native joined the Sunset Grill team as our District Manager almost three years ago, he was responsible for taking care of the restaurants, overseeing them, ensuring compliance, and opening new restaurants. He still does much of that, but he’s now also negotiating with suppliers, involved with the layout of future restaurants, and he has his own team of District Managers that work under him. “It’s fun working with and mentoring them and helping them learn along their path,” he says.

He’s built solid relationships with all of our franchisees; he’s their go-to guy. And for good reason. He’s been working in the restaurant industry for more than 20 years and knows what it takes to run a successful franchise. Dino’s 19-year-old busboy self would be proud.

“The most rewarding part is being able to help out the franchisees –solving problems for them, being able to negotiate with suppliers on better costs for our franchisees,” he says with pride.

He’s worked tirelessly to elevate the Sunset Grill brand, all while being an attentive father to four young kids – Demetri, 7, Elaina, 5, and the twins: Anthony and Angelica, who are two and a half years old.

He couldn’t do it without the support of his incredible wife, Maria.

“She makes the house tick,” he says. “She keeps everything organized and keeps everybody going. She’s just awesome, she’s a very good partner in everything that we do. She keeps me grounded.”

You can tell by the way Dino talks about his kids that they’re his pride and joy – he’s a truly proud parent.

“When I get home, I get attacked by my kids; they run up and give me hugs and kisses. That’s the best part of my day every day. My oldest—I call him spider monkey—he’ll literally climb on top of me without me holding him whatsoever,” Dino says with a smile. “It’s just great, when you sit on the couch and they all want to sit with you and snuggle up.”

For Dino, Father’s Day is every day.

“I don’t think dads want anything [for Father’s Day], I think dads just want their family to be around and just to say that they love them and happy Father’s Day,” he shares. “For me, that’s all it is, you don’t have to put a day for me to celebrate my children.”

However, it’s important for him to celebrate his own dad on Father’s Day.

“I [have to] make sure I see my dad who is my best friend and mentor, and continues to be the most important man in my life,” he says with deep admiration. “My dad always spent time with me.”

He comes from a large Greek family, and the importance of togetherness is something he’s happily embraced.

The value of doing the right thing, owning up to your mistakes, and always being honest are lessons Dino learned from his father growing up, and it’s something he wants to, and is, passing onto his own children.

“It’s like my dad always said, tell me the truth and I’m not going to get mad… lie to me and I’m going to get mad. I say the same thing to my kids now. I just want the truth,” he explains. “Take ownership for what you’re doing. You have to be able to stand up for yourself and speak your mind… but always think before you speak.”

It’s a notable character trait he’s carried with him throughout his life.

“You’re going to be put in hard situations in your life, but those hard situations are never going to go away so you’re going to have to deal with them no matter what, so always face things head on,” he says.

Dino has a profound respect for his parents, and enjoys a close bond with his father.

“He always encouraged me, gave me some tough love, but he let me make my mistakes and learn my lessons, but he always recapped those lessons with me to make sure I understood what happened, and why it happened, and how to avoid it and what to do differently the next time,” he says with conviction.

Dino encapsulates what it means to have a good head on your shoulders. His parents undoubtedly raised him well.

“Just knowing the sacrifices that not only he but my mom made for my sister and myself our whole lives, and only truly understanding them now that I have kids,” he says.

“What matters is—at the end of the day—your family. That everyone’s taken care of. I try to live that way myself, now. And have that respect for my parents, and for what they did for us to be at where we’re at now.”

Soccer is a huge part of Dino’s life. His dad was a soccer buff, too, and that’s something Dino has passed down to his own kids – both Demetri and Elaina play soccer. “I’m a big soccer freak – I still play,” he shares. “I’ve been playing since I was 8 or 9 years old, so to be as old as I am now and still do some of the things I did when I was younger, it’s pretty exciting when you accomplish them.”

He used to be team Liverpool, however, he’s now a season’s ticket holder for Toronto FC and tries to make it to every game.

Dino’s also something of a foodie and loves trying out new recipes. He also hopes to one day take his family on a trip to Cyprus and Sicily so the kids can learn more about their heritage. Although, Demetri seems bent on going to Jamaica – Dino and Maria have always wanted to go too.

He has a few words of wisdom for anyone looking to get into the franchise business.

“I think the biggest measure of success –in order to have success in your business, I should say–is being present. Being present in your business,” Dino explains. “When I say present, I don’t mean just showing up now and again. Being present and taking care of not only your customers but your employees,” and clearly defining roles, he adds.

“Having an open-door policy with your staff is always a big part of being successful.”