Harjinder Singh Chahal - The Entrepreneurs of India Magazine

Harjinder Singh Chahal’s story is a blend of courage, learning, and strong determination. As the founder of Don Clooney Pizzeria and Cafe in Chandigarh, his path was filled with lessons that shaped him into the entrepreneur he is today. After completing his B Tech in Chemical Engineering, a Retail Management program from BIMTECH, and a Post Graduate Certificate from IIM Indore, Harjinder began his professional journey at Godrej and Boyce. With two and a half years of corporate experience, he could have easily settled for stability, but his heart was set on creating something of his own.

In late 2007, he stepped into entrepreneurship, facing several early struggles. Those setbacks did not stop him.

Though he already made a successful mark in the education sector, his hunger to build something closer to his passion led him toward food. In March 2023, Don Clooney Pizzeria and Cafe came to life.

Running a restaurant taught Harjinder lessons that no classroom could. “One of my biggest mistakes was trying to do too much too soon,” he admits. Expanding the menu before mastering the core dishes stretched his team and affected consistency. Learning from that, he decided to build a strong identity first, then diversify. He also discovered the importance of listening. Ignoring small complaints early on cost him later, so now every piece of feedback is treated as an opportunity to improve. Another realization was that passion alone cannot scale a business. Systems, training, and financial discipline are equally essential. And above all, he learned that the right people matter more than perfect ideas.

Born into a farmer’s family, Harjinder grew up surrounded by values of hard work, patience, and humility. His decision to leave the comfort of a traditional life and pursue business was not easy for his family to accept. They worried about uncertainty. Yet he carried those same values from his roots into his journey. Over time, what began as hesitation turned into pride. He believes that families play a huge part in building entrepreneurs. Encouragement, patience, and emotional support go a long way in helping young dreamers take risks and stay strong through failures. Starting with limited resources was another big hurdle. There was no abundance of capital or connections, only belief and creativity. “Determination was my biggest asset,” he says. With time, consistency, and relentless focus on quality, Don Clooney began to grow stronger each month. Challenges like lack of experience in the food industry, manpower management, and maintaining uniform taste were slowly conquered through persistence and discipline.

Don Clooney Pizzeria and Cafe is now known for its flavorful continental dishes, from pizzas and pastas to waffles and specialty cafe items. The brand stands for freshness, affordability, and memorable dining experiences. Its growing popularity has earned it major recognition, including “The Authentic Italian Food Brand of Chandigarh Region” by Food Icons Awards 2025 and “The Rising Continental Food Brand of India.” Introduction of more global cuisines and brands like The Arabian Kunafa Co, Waffles and Brew Co, and Pablo's Pancakes from the house of Don Clooney made Harjinder's business model unique and stronger. The power of four brands created a niche in the market.

The next chapter for Don Clooney is expansion. With new company owned outlets coming up in the Tricity area and plans for franchising, Harjinder aims to grow the brand across India. The franchise model will focus on selecting partners who share the same hunger for excellence and commitment to quality.

For Harjinder, food is more than business. “The restaurant world is not just about meals. It is about emotion and experience,” he says. Every plate served is a promise of taste, warmth, and care.