Hardeep Singh Grewal, also known as Hardy Grewal has donated $1 million to Concordia University to endow MBA scholarships at the John Molson School of Business.
Former taxi driver now owns 2,100 Subway restaurant franchises in Ontario and the U.S.
The son of Punjabi sugar-cane farmer came to Canada from India in 1972 with $7 in his pocket and now lives in California,
"I achieved with hard work what I wanted to accomplish: my parents' dream to get an education," Grewal said at a ceremony at the university Monday.
The man of the hour! Former taxi driver Hardeep Grewal donates $1 million to Concordia #CUgiving #CUalumni pic.twitter.com/nxijYPqBAx
— Concordia Alumni (@ConcordiaAlumni) April 25, 2016
In recognition for the gift, Concordia has renamed the atrium in the business school in his and his wife's honour: It is to be called the Hardeep (Hardy) Singh Grewal and Patwant Kaur Grewal Atrium.
Grewal says Concordia's flexibility allowed him to work and be a student at the same time.
He also hopes he will inspire future entrepreneurs to work hard and achieve their goals.
"Just have a great work ethic," Grewal said, when asked what advice he'd give students.
"Work hard, and you'll get anywhere."
