Breakfast Dads – Karthik
Have you met Karthik?
Karthik is the calm, comforting new owner-operator of our Main St., Cambridge Sunset Grill breakfast and lunch restaurant.
While he’s only been part of the brand since November 2022 – when he took over ownership of our Rymal Rd., Hamilton location – he’s certainly made a lasting impression on guests and staff alike.
“Once you respect each other, your staff and customers, everyone will be happy,” he said. “It’s important for me to have good relationships. If my staff is happy, then my customers are happy and I am happy,” Karthik said with a smile.
Karthik, Franchise Owner, Main St., Cambridge and Rymal Rd., Hamilton Sunset Grill locations.
He believes the energy you put out into the world is what you receive back.
Karthik and his wife, Sai, who operates the Rymal Rd., Hamilton Sunset Grill restaurant (you may remember her from this year’s edition of Breakfast Moms), have a well-balanced relationship, which they attribute much of their success to.
“She’s a major support for me,” he said. “Whatever we do, we’re in sync. We never question each other, good or bad. We just back each other up.”
They met back home in India while studying for their Bachelors’ degrees. For Karthik, it was love at first sight.
Some almost 20 years later, they have two beautiful children, Midhun, their two-year-old son, and Dhruthi, their daughter, who is just four months’ old.
It wasn’t an easy start when they first immigrated to Canada. Karthik was working as a delivery driver for a pizza franchise in Brampton while completing his master’s degree. He eventually had an opportunity to own a franchise within that brand and enjoyed success in that endeavour.
“It was the perfect opportunity for me to show myself,” he shared. “Initially I was not that confident in what I would do, but now that I’ve done it from scratch, I’m much more comfortable with things.”
With a young family, Karthik began to look at new opportunities that would allow him to spend more time with his children in the evenings. “I wanted peace of mind,” he said. “With my kids growing up, I need to spend more time with them.”
Entering the Sunset Grill brand has afforded Karthik the opportunity to be present for many of those important moments with his children. “When you come home and see the smile on their face, that is the best part of being a father,” he said with glee.
He learned the importance of hard work and providing for your family from his own father. “My dad motivated me to get into business for myself,” Karthik explained. “I always think of my father’s point of view and his work ethic inspires me.”
In his downtime, Karthik is an avid cricket fan (and player) and makes every effort to keep up with the latest and greatest movies and shows back home.
Looking to the future, Karthik is excited to continue to expand with the Sunset Grill brand, watch his kids grow up, and make lasting memories with his family.
“Being a business owner, once you have that flexible time and you know your strengths, focus on that; that’s all it takes,” he said. “Be present and the rest will follow.”
The next time you’re in Cambridge, be sure to stop by Sunset Grill and say hi to Karthik and his wonderful team!
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Karthik 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.
STORE INFORMATION
Main St. & Dundas St. N.
420 Main St., Unit 101,
Cambridge, ON, N1R 8N9
Open Daily 7 AM to 3 PM
Terryberry Rd. & Rymal Rd. E.
2120 Rymal Rd. E., Unit 5,
Hannon, ON, L0R 1P0
Open Daily 7 AM to 3 PM
