Sunny Ilyas is the Founder and CEO of Vale, a rapidly growing healthy fast-casual restaurant in Florida that offers high-quality protein bowls, açai bowls, salads, and wraps, along with a full beverage and bakery selection. As a student at Florida State University in 2014, Ilyas set out to solve the problem of making healthy food delicious, convenient, and affordable, offering a wide variety of options through his vision of Vale.
With limited business knowledge and start-up capital, his passion to make a difference propelled Ilyas through the challenges of balancing college, working three jobs, and launching a start-up business. While studying Exercise Physiology with a focus on health and nutrition at Florida State University, he identified a gap in Tallahassee’s market for accessible, healthy food options. In 2014, he began by cooking and operating a meal delivery service that grew to serve 500 subscribers.
In 2016, Ilyas pivoted to the fast-casual restaurant model, opening the first Vale location in Collegetown, Tallahassee. Following strong success in the college market, he expanded in 2017 with locations in Gainesville and Tampa. That same year, he was named the State of Florida Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Growth continued in 2018 with a fourth location in Jacksonville, and Vale was recognized as a Fast Casual Movers & Shakers Top 100 Brand in the U.S.
In 2019, Vale expanded further with locations in Fort Lauderdale and Tallahassee. In 2022, the brand made its South Florida debut with a Brickell location. In 2023, Vale opened its first Palm Beach County location in Boca Raton, followed by Pinecrest. Marking a decade of success, Ilyas proudly opened Vale’s 10th location in Delray Beach. He has also been recognized as one of QSR’s Young Restaurant Leaders to Watch. Today, Ilyas continues to lead Vale’s innovation and growth, from developing new recipes to enhancing the catering program across all locations.
ABOUT VALE: With 10 locations across Florida, Vale is a dynamic all-day restaurant specializing in healthy, build-your-own protein bowls, açai bowls, wraps, and smoothies. The menu is complemented by a full selection of beverages, bakery items, and catering services. Under the leadership of Sunny Ilyas, Vale offers a health-focused dining experience with options available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. The restaurant features both indoor and outdoor seating, providing a versatile dining environment.
