Have you met Josh?

Josh is Sunset Grill Head Office’s energetic former District Manager turned Director of Sales. He’s been with the company for more than five years and is determined to help the brand grow into a Canadian household name.

“Selling a restaurant to someone is great, but when you can watch that individual go through that process, benefit their family, hire employees, create the livelihood for them, [satisfy] customers… there’s a sense of fulfilment you get with that type of engagement with the franchisees,” said Josh.

He’s always been a “people person,” minoring in performance arts while obtaining his degree in business from Brock University.

“You can’t always judge a book by its cover,” he said. “Sometimes in business, people really can surprise you. I think it’s important to put yourself in the franchisee’s shoes.”

He’s lived that philosophy through dozens of sales and goes into each conversation with an open mind.

His experience in the restaurant industry, from being a dishwasher to bartender and eventually working his way to general manager, coupled with a personable approach, has allowed Josh to build many meaningful relationships and learn important lessons along the way.

“Those experiences gave me perspective that is helpful in my role now,” he shared.

When he’s not busy helping new franchise partners navigate their way through the restaurant, or being a dad at home, he enjoys playing hockey with his childhood friends, and has more recently taken pride in ownership of his home. He’s a country guy and loves sinking his hands into nature whenever the opportunity presents itself.

He’s looking forward to continued growth with the brand and helping prospective franchise partners find a home in Sunset Grill.

And it’s what he’s built at home that keeps him motivated to continue working diligently every day for his family.

As a new father, Josh is excited to celebrate Father’s Day this year. His son, Quinn, is about a year-and-a-half years’ old now, and he’s enjoying all the “firsts” that come with parenthood.

“It makes me nervous, too,” he shared. “There were different times in my life that I didn’t have a father figure that I know my son is going to go through, and it’s going to be fresh, and new for me.”

“I’m now filling the shoes of ‘dad’,” said Josh. He wants what most dad want for their children – to be a good father.

“I’m going to be that fun dad, I’ll make sure of it,” he laughed.

“Being a parent really is a remarkable responsibility,” said Josh. “This world is getting increasingly complex, and it’s up to us as parents to help our children navigate this world. We don’t take that lightly.”

But at the end of the day, a simple smile from his son makes it all worth it.

“There is a level of having to step up to the plate [in parenthood],” he explained. “Thankfully, I have a partner in life that is willing to do so and is motivated to be a great mother.”

Josh and his wife Jessica recently got married and are looking forward to taking some time for themselves over the next few days while honeymooning in the Bahamas. “We finally got to have the wedding we always wanted,” he said excitedly. They both come from large families, and despite trying to get married during the pandemic, they chose to wait so they could celebrate in the way they envisioned.

“I wouldn’t change any of it for the world,” said Josh.

Josh has always wanted to be a father and stressed the importance of family for him. “This is what life is all about,” he said with passion.

“Don’t forget about family. We can all go out and work our lives away, but at the end of the day, what’s it all for?” he said. “There are things a family can give you that you can never accomplish in any other way,” he continued.

“Take each day as it comes; every day is new,” shared Josh. “There are so many things in the world… I’m grateful for what I have – the family I have, my work and the life I have. I would like to continue to see myself be grateful.”

The next time you’re at a Sunset Grill, you may just spot Josh. Be sure to say hi!

Go-To Breakfast: Three Eggs & Sausages or Crab Cake Benedict

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Josh is part of this year’s Father’s Day profile series highlighting Breakfast Dads – the hard-working, dedicated dads that make up the many faces of the Sunset Grill community.