Kickin’Inn and University of Sydney: Forging the Future of Leadership in Hospitality

Under the sharp and strategic leadership of visionary CEO and Co-Founder Ravi Singh, Kickin’Inn has built a formidable alliance with the University of Sydney—one that is set to redefine leadership development across Australia’s hospitality industry. This partnership is not symbolic. It is a deliberate, long-term strategy to create a talent pipeline that fuels the brand’s ambitious growth trajectory while embedding academic excellence into the DNA of its leadership model.

Kickin’Inn, now recognised as the fastest-growing Cajun seafood chain in Australia, was created by two close friends turned entrepreneurs—Ravi Singh and Sami Karras. Since the launch of their first restaurant on 17th September 2018, the brand has grown to 26 locations nationwide. With a clear and determined vision to open 50 restaurants by 2030, Kickin’Inn is not just expanding—it is evolving into a purpose-driven, people-first business that plans to touch millions of lives.

What differentiates Kickin’Inn from others in the crowded hospitality landscape is its unwavering investment in people. The company commits over 7,500 hours annually to capability building through leadership coaching, team mentoring, and self-development programs. These initiatives are not off-the-shelf—they are custom-built to produce inquisitive, emotionally intelligent, and resilient leaders. The University of Sydney plays a critical role by providing intellectual rigour, research-led thinking, and long-term academic partnership to support the brand’s internal talent engine.

This partnership is not reactive—it’s strategic. As Kickin’Inn prepares for the next phase of its journey, it is clear that talent will be the defining factor. By aligning operational goals with academic collaboration, Ravi Singh is setting new standards in how modern brands develop leadership—not through hierarchy, but through curiosity, accountability, and continuous learning.

At a time when much of the hospitality sector is grappling with identity and relevance, Kickin’Inn is setting the pace. The combination of entrepreneurial pragmatism and academic excellence is an innovative and rare model in Australian business. CEO and Co-Founder Ravi Singh’s clarity of purpose, coupled with a relentless focus on people development, is placing Kickin’Inn in a league of its own. The brand already enjoys national exposure and is well on its way to becoming a recognised international name.

This is not just about growth. It’s about sustainable, intelligent, human-led expansion. And Ravi Singh is making sure the future of hospitality is not only alive—but thriving.