About Brij & Sunita Agrawal
A Story of Perseverance, Education, and Giving Back
Brij Agrawal and his wife, Sunita, are a Sugar Land, Texas couple whose public philanthropy has focused on education, health care, and community institutions.
Brij Mohan Agrawal was born in Lakhanpur, India and moved to Houston at age 17 in 1979. Arriving with limited English skills, he initially worked odd jobs – even losing one factory job due to a language misunderstanding – but persevered to build a new life.
Sunita partners closely with Brij in their philanthropic and community activities. The Agrawals have made their home in Sugar Land for decades and raised a family there.
Early Life and Education
Brij Agrawal's journey highlights the classic immigrant experience. As a teenager in Houston, he juggled work and education, attending Houston Community College at night to improve his English and math skills while working daytime jobs, including newspaper delivery for the Houston Chronicle.
In 1981, he enrolled in the University of Houston's Cullen College of Engineering, again taking night classes while working, and ultimately earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1988.
"I always believed education is the key that opens up lots of doors."
— Brij Agrawal
Brij's persistence through night school laid the foundation for his future success. Public university sources describe Brij and Sunita as longtime Sugar Land residents.
Professional Career and Business Ventures
Early Engineering and Manufacturing
Brij Agrawal began his career in engineering and manufacturing. After earning his mechanical engineering degree, he worked with M.W. Kellogg before moving deeper into business ownership.
In 1990, he purchased an engineering fabrication company, ABM Industries in Pasadena, Texas. He expanded the firm from 5 employees to about 95 and moved it to a 15-acre facility.
Under his leadership, ABM Industries was named one of the top 100 businesses in Houston by the Greater Houston Partnership in 1994. By 1999, Brij sold ABM Industries and shifted into restaurant franchising.
Restaurant and Franchise Ventures
After selling his manufacturing business, Brij shifted into the food and franchise industry. Following his older brother's footsteps, in 1999 he bought his first Subway sandwich franchise – and within nine months had opened eight more Subway restaurants.
This was the start of VKC Group, the restaurant management company Brij founded to operate his growing portfolio. University of Houston materials later described that platform as a multi-unit restaurant operation with locations across Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico.
That franchise chapter remains one part of a broader entrepreneurial career that now informs the family's philanthropic work.
Industry Leadership
Brij Agrawal also held leadership roles within the franchise community, particularly within the Subway system. His service included leadership with the Subway Franchisee Advertising Fund Trust in Houston.
He was also involved with Subway's Independent Purchasing Cooperative, the national Subway franchise procurement body.
Recognition and Honors
Distinguished Alumnus
University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering
Top 100 Businesses
Greater Houston Partnership - ABM Industries
At the Distinguished Alumnus ceremony, UH leaders praised Brij as "a terrific example of the power of higher education… pursued with persistence and dedication," noting that he remains a role model for students and young alumni.
Today
Brij Agrawal is recognized in Houston-area public sources as an entrepreneur, University of Houston alumnus, and philanthropist. His professional journey, from early jobs after arriving in Houston to engineering and restaurant ventures, has been highlighted by local media and university publications.
Public announcements consistently present the couple's major philanthropic commitments as joint gifts from Brij and Sunita.
The Brij & Sunita Agrawal Foundation is a private charitable foundation based in the Houston area, with formal records dating to 2015. The foundation supports a range of causes, primarily through grants to educational, health care, cultural, and community organizations. Both Brij and Sunita serve as directors of the foundation.
Recent publicly announced commitments include support for St. Luke's Health-Sugar Land Hospital and a Primary Care Community Clinic, Houston Methodist Sugar Land graduate medical education, and University of Houston Sugar Land technology and workforce development.
Learn About Our Work
Discover how the Brij & Sunita Agrawal Foundation is making a difference in our community.