From First Job To CEO: Inside Simran Singh’s Rise @ OPA! (Win!)

After nearly three decades of serving up fresh, feel-good Mediterranean fare across Canada, OPA! of Greece is entering an exciting new chapter—with a familiar face at the helm. Newly appointed President & CEO Simran Singh has grown with the brand from the inside out, bringing a rare blend of frontline experience and strategic vision to the role. We sat down with Singh to talk growth, leadership, and what’s next for one of Canada’s most beloved fast-casual success stories. —Noa Nichol

Let’s start with the most important question—what’s your personal go-to order at OPA! of Greece, and are you a mix-it-up-every-time or stick-to-your-favourite kind of diner?

It may seem like the easy answer, but our Chicken Souvlaki with a side of Greek Salad (and lots of Tzatziki) is always top of my list. I do mix it up though – I wouldn’t be a very good CEO if I didn’t try everything! And as a busy father of two (soon to be three), nothing is better than ordering a bunch of different mix-and-match dishes and sharing them collectively as a family. So I suppose I’m a combination of both.

OPA! has built a reputation for fresh, feel-good Mediterranean food—what do you think keeps people coming back for that same craveable flavour?

Great food doesn’t slow life down. It keeps it moving. If you look at competing QSRs, there’s a lot of heavy, processed, nutrition-lite menus. But OPA! stays true to the Greek roots of our Founders, and to Greek cuisine itself. The Mediterranean diet is famously healthy, and OPA! is where bold flavour meets good-for-you ingredients, and we pride ourselves on our consistency and commitment to remaining authentic. It also goes beyond our menu: ever since we opened our first location in Calgary’s Market Mall in 1998, we have always made sure that the guest experience is at the top of our priority list. A warm smile, a friendly greeting, and little things like remembering the names and orders of repeat guests are what sets us apart. Just like in Greek culture, the OPA! experience is based more on relationships than transactions.

Greek food is all about balance—grilled meats, bright herbs, creamy sauces—what’s the secret to getting that perfect flavour harmony right?

Fun fact: souvlaki as we know it today originated over four thousand years ago, in Ancient Greece. I’m sure it’s undergone subtle changes since then, but what makes Greek cuisine so enduring is that it’s simple, but also bold. We’ve all had meals that were over-spiced or drowning in too much sauce, but sometimes less is more. 

For someone new to OPA!, what’s the must-order meal that gives them the full experience in one bite?

For the real Greek experience in just a single bite, I would say a Calamari ring, with fresh lemon squeezed on top, dipped in our famous Tzatziki sauce. You get that mouth-watering crunch, tangy citrus, and fresh cucumber and garlic all combining into a perfect Mediterranean medley. 

As someone who’s grown with the brand, are there any menu items (past or present) that hold a special place for you—or that you think deserve a comeback?

I can still remember the first time I had OPA! fries! This was before I joined the organization, and after years of eating plain salted fries from other QSRs, the flavour was not just a welcome change, it was defining of my first experience with the brand. The balance is so perfect, from the refreshing oregano to the hint of lemon, to the crunchy exterior and soft, steaming inside. OPA! fries are the one thing I will always – always – finish, no matter how full I might already be.

Win! An OPA! of Greece Prize Pack!

Congrats Erivelton L. of Oshawa, ON, who will receive a Pita Blanket and $50 gift card! Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadailymedia. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding. Full contest rules/regulations here.