Most people in the UK are familiar with Cake Box – the franchise empire famed for its egg-free, fresh cream celebration cakes. But few know the man behind the counter: Sukh Chamdal (pictured above), the CEO whose story is as rich as the cakes his company sells.

From helping in his father’s sweet shop to running over 230 Cake Box stores nationwide, Chamdal’s journey is a masterclass in ambition, resilience, and staying true to your roots.

The idea that sparked a cake revolution came from his eldest daughter back in 2008. 

Chamdal recalls: “She didn’t want any eggs in her birthday cake. So I worked with London South Bank University and, thanks to a £20,000 grant from the Labour government, we developed a recipe for egg-free cakes.”

What began as a solution for a child’s dietary preference soon evolved into a booming business. The first Cake Box store opened in East London, next door to his family’s sweet shop. It was a runaway success. Chamdal said: “People started asking me to open more shops, and that’s when I decided to franchise. The rest is history.”

By removing eggs, the cakes became suitable for Hindu and Sikh diets and halal by default, making them an inclusive treat. He explains: “Our cakes are fully vegetarian, we don’t use alcohol, and we check every ingredient. We even offer a vegan range.”

Chamdal’s passion for food and entrepreneurship is deeply rooted in his upbringing. Born in India, he moved to the UK aged five, where his father, a former bricklayer, started a small sweet business. “We all helped out. While my friends played football on Saturdays, I was making samosas,” he laughs.

The family’s hard work laid the foundations for his own culinary career. Even after he closed the original sweet shop to focus on Cake Box, Chamdal retained a special connection to his roots. 

He said: “My father asked me to keep his legacy alive, so we kept his buffalo milk barfi in all Cake Box shops. It has only two ingredients: milk and sugar. It’s completely unprocessed and completely authentic.”

In business, Chamdal says his secret lies in teamwork and a clear vision saying: “My dad told me you can’t be an expert in everything—so hire experts. I built a team of specialists and together we crafted our strategy. I follow the three S’s: be sensible, steady, and sustainable. And the three L’s: look, listen and learn.”

This philosophy extends to customer service too. “We train staff that the customer is king. Even if they’re wrong, let them be wrong with dignity.”

Running the business like a family has also been key to Cake Box’s culture. During the pandemic, when one branch had to shut due to staff illness, other franchisees sent in their own workers to keep it open. “We look out for each other. That’s what families do.”

Indeed, the pandemic revealed just how essential celebration cakes are. “People cut back on luxuries—but not on birthdays. There are around 68 million people in the UK and 365 days in a year. The average household has four birthdays annually. No one skips a birthday cake.”

Chamdal’s latest move has cemented his place in British Asian food history. In a landmark £22 million deal, he acquired the iconic Ambala Foods, a heritage South Asian confectionery brand dating back to 1965. The acquisition includes Ambala Foods Limited for £16 million and its manufacturing facility for £6 million.

He said: “Ambala is the oldest Asian sweets brand in the UK, and in their 60th anniversary year, I’m proud to bring them under the Cake Box umbrella. We’ll preserve their authenticity while bringing innovation and growth.”

Ambala is revered for its mithai, samosas, and savoury snacks. Chamdal’s acquisition marks a strategic expansion into traditional South Asian sweets, tapping into deep cultural roots. He commented: “Ambala holds a special place in the hearts of the South Asian community. We will honour that.”

Despite his business triumphs, Chamdal remains grounded and generous. He supports numerous charitable initiatives in the UK and India. During the pandemic, he made sweets for offerings at Neasden Temple, the largest Hindu temple in the UK, and supports Woodgrange Baptist Church’s community work. He’s also set up a free medical dispensary in his home village in India in memory of his father.

He donated £10,000 to St Francis Hospital in tribute to his PA, who passed away in 2002, and gave a further £15,000 to their annual charity ball in 2024. “We do a lot of charity work, not just me, but all our franchises. From sponsoring youth sports to running hot kitchens for the homeless, we believe in giving back.”