A legacy rooted in integrity: How Brar’s expanded while staying true to their values
A legacy rooted in integrity: How Brar’s expanded while staying true to their values
From a small takeaway restaurant to a leader in Canada’s ethnic food market, Brar’s is a story of resilience and innovation.
Led by CEO Kiran Mann, the company overcame rising costs and supply chain disruptions without compromising its values. By partnering with MNP, Brar’s discovered a groundbreaking strategic tax planning that fueled expansion and fortified its foundation for sustainable growth.
With a blend of tradition and forward-thinking solutions, Brar’s is breaking new ground while staying true to its roots. Their journey highlights how strategic partnerships can transform challenges into opportunities in a competitive industry.
For Brar’s, every bite tells a story. From their humble beginnings in a small takeaway restaurant to becoming one of Canada’s leading ethnic food manufacturers, the Brar’s journey is a testament to tradition, resilience, and the power of family. Today, under the leadership of CEO Kiran Mann, Brar’s is forging ahead with bold ambitions while remaining true to its roots.
But growth comes with challenges, and for Mann, the question wasn’t whether Brar’s could grow — it was how to grow sustainably without losing sight of what matters most.
Brar’s is navigating this exciting chapter with confidence, tackling governance, long-term sustainable growth, and succession planning head-on.
A family dream becomes a national brand
Brar’s began decades ago with its original founder, Manjit Singh, in 1986. In 1991, the business was purchased by Dial Pabla, whose determination and vision laid out the groundwork for Brar’s success today. From running a single restaurant with no culinary experience to creating a manufacturing empire, Pabla’s entrepreneurial spirit inspired Brar’s ethos of hard work and resilience.
In 2019, the business took a major leap by opening a 179,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Mississauga, Ontario, capable of producing dairy products, snacks, and sweets inspired by traditional recipes. While growth was steady, the COVID-19 pandemic tested the business in ways it had never faced before.
Rising costs, supply chain disruptions, and inflation created significant uncertainty and could have derailed their progress, but Brar’s leaned on the support of advisors that helped them turn challenges into opportunities.
Leadership redefined
When Kiran Mann stepped in as CEO post pandemic, she brought experience from nine other industries and a passion for redefining leadership. As a female leader in the food and beverage sector, she embraced the challenges with determination.
Her forward-thinking approach has been instrumental in building the business. But with Brar's navigating uncertainty and the challenges that come with growth, Mann recognized that the organization couldn’t do this alone. They needed to find a partner with the unique dynamics of a family business.
Over time, roles and processes were understood but not formally captured and they evolved as the business changed. Family businesses can be complex, and without a solid governance model, these types of organizations are susceptible to communication breakdowns, difficulties in decision-making, and succession planning challenges.
Kiran Mann, CEO of Brar's, successfully navigated the organization through pandemic challenges.
How the process unfolded: Practical insights
Mann shares the key steps that Brar’s took as they looked for an advisor to support them:
1. Define the vision
Mann began by getting crystal clear on her goals for Brar’s. ”You need to know who you are, where you’re going, and what you need to get there,” says Mann.
2. Diagnose the challenges
The organization looked at their governance structure, business strategy, and operational processes to find areas that held them back from achieving their vision.
3. Engage the right partner
After internal evaluation, Mann knew they needed a partner with both technical expertise and real-world experience with the emotions of family businesses.
A vision for the future
Now, Brar’s has a governance structure that clarified roles and processes across the organization and a long-term business strategy that ensures a sustainable future.
“MNP’s approach was comprehensive,” Mann notes. “They weren’t just advisors — they were collaborators who helped us think through every aspect, from family dynamics to corporate operations. They brought both expertise and heart to the table.”
With a robust foundation now in place, Brar’s is well-prepared to pursue its growth plans and explore new opportunities. The focus is clear — scaling operations, expanding internationally, and seizing opportunities in new markets. Backed by MNP’s deep industry knowledge and network, Brar’s has already begun forming the connections needed to accelerate growth.
The Brar’s business expansion strategy goes hand-in-hand with its commitment to innovation and tradition. Whether it’s enhancing manufacturing capabilities or exploring franchise opportunities, every step forward is anchored by the same core values that have guided Brar’s since its inception. This dual focus ensures the business is not only equipped to meet today’s challenges but is also prepared to thrive in the constantly changing food and beverage industry.
By embracing collaboration, thoughtful planning, and the support of experienced advisors, Brar’s is crafting a future as rich and authentic as the recipes that have made it a household name.
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