Manpreet Parmar never planned on becoming a business owner — let alone running multiple fast-food restaurants in his early 30s. But what began as a part-time job to make ends meet as an international student has grown into an inspiring story of grit, growth and entrepreneurship.
“I was just so excited, I used to work in the restaurant every single day,” Manpreet told news.com.au.
“It was where I wanted to be.”
That enthusiasm, however, came with a learning curve. “A friend said to me: you can’t work on the business if you’re working in the business,” he recalls.
“I’m someone who likes to take baby steps, rather than diving headfirst in all at once. I think otherwise, you end up getting freaked out or burnt out.”
It’s an approach that’s paid off handsomely. Since taking over his first store in Melbourne’s northern suburb of Epping in 2017 — aged just 24 — Manpreet has led the store to an 85 per cent growth in weekly sales. In 2019, he purchased a second franchise at Westfield Plenty Valley.
“One month after we took over, the sales increased by 10 per cent and we knew then that we could build something even stronger with the brand.”
In late 2024, he and his business partner opened a third restaurant in Whittlesea. But the journey began much earlier — and not in a boardroom.
“When I arrived in Australia in 2012 at age 19 to study a business degree, I never thought my part-time job would become the biggest business lesson of all.”
“None of my family back in India works in business — most of them work in Government,” he said.
“My dad was a lieutenant colonel, and he was always very disciplined. He wanted me to join the army as well, but I was never interested in that. From when I was a teenager, I was always just obsessed with understanding how business worked.”
To support himself during studies, he handed out résumés across Melbourne — eventually landing a night-shift role at Subway on Swanston Street. It wasn’t glamorous, but it opened doors.
“I’d been doing night shifts which were interfering with my sleep and uni schedule, so I jumped at the opportunity,” he said when offered more hours at another store. Within a year, he was promoted to store manager.
What followed was a pivotal moment. During a manager training course, a trainer from Eastern Victoria casually suggested he might one day consider owning a Subway franchise. The seed was planted.
“There was a guy named Sonny who owned about five stores, including one in Epping, and I’d heard he was planning on moving on from the franchise. I just went in there one day and said if he was ever keen to sell, I’d be keen to buy.”
That confidence and foresight paid off. After getting permanent residency, Manpreet dropped out of his business degree to pursue a different kind of education — one learned behind the counter, in staff meetings, and through daily decision-making.
As a new franchisee, he threw himself into the business and into learning. But over time, he realised the importance of stepping back to take a broader view.
“You can’t scale if you’re stuck in daily operations.”
Today, with three Subway restaurants under his belt and plans to expand further, Manpreet credits his long-term mindset to his father’s advice:
“What you do today, you’ll see the consequences in five years.”
“So that has always been my strategy,” he adds.
“In five years from now, who knows how many restaurants I’ll own? Why limit myself to a number? All I know is that I find it incredibly valuable and rewarding. It’s not about the destination for me, but the journey — and it has been an amazing journey.”
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