SHALIN PATEL

Shalin Patel’s journey in the restaurant industry began at age 25, when he moved to East Texas to open his first location. As a hands-on owner-operator, Shalin mastered every facet of the business, from back-office logistics to front-line service, expanding to five units within four years. This deep operational expertise became the blueprint for what would eventually become Vibe Restaurants, which he co-founded alongside his college friends, Irfaan and Faisal.

Today, Shalin oversees Vibe’s multi-brand portfolio of over 170 locations. While the company has grown exponentially, Shalin remains focused on the "human" side of the business, having established the Vibe Founder’s Fund to support employees during times of hardship. Born in Kenya and raised in Houston, Shalin is a mentor to emerging entrepreneurs and a dedicated family man. He lives in Dallas with his wife, Rupali, and their two children, where he spends his free time playing soccer, building LEGO masterpieces with his son, and exploring the world through travel.