FOOD NEWS
From Rs 9 Snack to Rs 100 Crore Brand: The Rise of Shyamji Chole Bhature
Three friends in Bengaluru turned a craving for authentic Delhi-style chole bhature into a thriving business empire, now selling over 50,000 bhature every month after a humble start.
What began as a simple craving for the authentic flavours of Delhi has evolved into a major culinary success story in Bengaluru. Three friends—Karan, Chetan, and Nabajyoti—found themselves missing the street food staples of the national capital after living in Karnataka for years. Rather than settling for local alternatives, they decided to recreate the experience themselves, eventually building a business now valued at Rs 100 crore.
The founders, who had spent over three decades in Bengaluru, drew inspiration from the success of brands like Wow Momo, which scaled a single signature dish into a nationwide phenomenon. Determined to replicate this model with chole bhature, the trio embarked on a research trip to Delhi. They spent weeks exploring iconic food hubs, including Old Delhi and Chandni Chowk, to study recipes and identify the authentic preparation methods they wanted to bring to their new venture, Shyamji Chole Bhature.
Scaling a Street Food Staple
The challenge of authenticity extended beyond the recipe; the founders needed the right expertise. They eventually convinced experienced cooks from Delhi to relocate to Bengaluru, a process that required building trust and navigating the distance from the chefs' homes. To ensure their product gained traction, the team implemented a strategic pricing model, initially launching the dish at just Rs 9. This aggressive entry point successfully drew long queues and introduced the dish to a broad audience, including North Indian IT professionals seeking a taste of home and local residents who had never experienced the dish before.As the brand gained momentum, the menu expanded to include a variety of North Indian staples, such as chaat, lassi, and traditional sweets. According to co-founder Chetan Kedia, the goal was always to appeal to a wide demographic across the city rather than catering exclusively to a specific community. Today, the operation has scaled significantly, with the brand currently selling more than 50,000 bhature every month, cementing its place as a notable player in the regional food scene.
