HOSPITALITY Founder and Managing Director, Olive Group of Restaurants A well-known figure in the restaurant business, AD Singh has been at the forefront of the growth of the ‘standalone’ restaurant concept in India, giving it direction, confidence, leadership and definition. Born in Delhi in 1960, AD moved to Mumbai at a young age. Soon after college, a scholarship at Lafayette College took him to Pennsylvania to earn a degree that got him into blue-chip companies TCS and Cadbury’s on his return to India. It was only in 1988 that he found his true calling, when he organized a party on a barge to celebrate his sister’s wedding. The party was a huge success, and AD set up his first F&B venture, a boat party planning service called Party Lines. Cut to now, he has launched 14 successful restaurant brands throughout the country. Today the Olive restaurants are widespread across the country. Some of AD’s successes include SodaBottleOpenerWala, Ek Bar in Delhi, Olly at DLF CyberHub, Gurugram. The Hoppery, Hyderabad. Other notable names under the Olive umbrella are The Grammar Room, Serai, The Fatty Bao, “The harder you work the luckier you get.” A D Singh Toast and Tonic and Chinese Bar House - Cantan. Singh’s biggest regret is that he didn’t open a restaurant with Mr. Sachin Tendulkar when we had the chance to. AD Singh says his mantras for a successful life are to work hard, to spend time with your loved ones and very importantly, to give back. 56 | | 57
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