Three Indore friends turn Rs 3 lakh into Chai Sutta Bar, a tea chain with 650-plus outlets
Started in Indore in 2016 with about Rs 3 lakh, the brand now has more than 650 outlets, including in Canada, Nepal and the UAE.
While most people chase a job after finishing their studies, three friends from Indore chose to start their own venture. Their brand, Chai Sutta Bar, has now reached more than 650 outlets.
The story begins with Anubhav Dubey and Anand Nayak, who were preparing for the civil services examination. They then decided to start a business instead of preparing for a job. Rahul Patidar joined them in this venture.
The three opened their first Chai Sutta Bar outlet in Indore in 2016, investing an estimated Rs 3 lakh. Before starting the tea business, the three friends used to sell old mobile phones. They then decided together to build a business that could be expanded on a large scale.
They made tea the foundation of the business. Their aim was that if tea and snacks were available at low prices, customers would come on their own. They also tried to give the brand a touch of Indian culture.
Chai Sutta Bar first became known for its tea served in kulhads. The idea of serving tea in traditional clay cups appealed to customers. Different kinds of tea, such as tulsi, ginger, chocolate and saffron, were later added to the menu. Pasta, burgers and noodles were also added at the outlets.
Although the name includes the word "sutta", smoking is not allowed in its cafes. The company grew its outlets as places to eat, drink and spend time with friends, and customers liked this difference.
The brand focused on low prices from the start. A cup of tea cost about Rs 15, while coffee started at Rs 20. Cold coffee and shakes were priced at Rs 70 or more. Prices were set so as not to burden customers. To expand widely while keeping prices low, the company relied on a franchise model.
The brand, launched in Indore in 2016, now has more than 650 outlets. The company has expanded outside India to Canada, and also has outlets in Nepal and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The idea of the three friends has grown into a large franchise network. Chai Sutta Bar, which began with an initial sum of about Rs 3 lakh, is now a brand with more than 650 outlets and revenue of around Rs 100 crore.
