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From Code to Kebabs: Building an Unlikely Career
In From Code to Kebabs: Building an Unlikely Career, Sanjay Rekhi reflects on his professional evolution from computer science graduate to tech executive and ultimately entrepreneur in the food and hospitality industry.
Beginning with a 15-year “safe path” career in the semiconductor industry at companies such as Zarlink, Intel, and MaxLinear, he describes a stable yet low-ownership phase of predictable growth. His transition into SaaS at CASA and Zoom introduced turbulence, higher risk, and deeper engagement, sharpening his adaptability and customer-first mindset.
The defining shift came when he embraced entrepreneurship through Genie Collective and Kebabs Faktory. Seeking greater ownership, faster decision-making, and tangible customer impact, he entered the food-tech space, blending hospitality with innovation. Under Genie Collective, he built notable brands such as Beirut Grill, Magic Carpet Lounge, and ADDA, earning industry recognition and awards. Kebabs Faktory redefined fast food into fast-casual dining, incorporating robotics and AI-driven solutions, embodying the philosophy “Food Meets Tech.”
Beyond business milestones, the talk emphasizes leadership lessons: vision clarity, integrity, courage in decision-making, managing failure, and staying authentic. He shares practical insights on building scalable systems, hiring for attitude, mastering financial fundamentals, and progressing through phases of business growth—from infancy to maturity. His central message is clear: reinvention is allowed, failure is data, and opportunities reward those who act in time. A degree, he concludes, is a toolkit — not a cage.
