Buoyed by the success of branded international and domestic food chains that are making roaring business on the Hosur to Krishnagiri NH-7, roadside dhaba owners have now started evincing interest in branded food chain business.
Mujeeb, a budding entrepreneur from Krishnagiri, who was running a dhaba near the Bharat Petroleum pumping station on the NH between Krishnagiri and Soolagiri, has now converted it into a branded fast food joint.
Mujeeb says, “I have taken the franchise for Brewberrys and invested around `10 lakh to start a state-of-the-art Coffee Bar on the NH, where I was earlier running a dhaba.”
Brewberrys is one among the fastest growing food chains in India and already established its foot print by having its outlets in around 70 passport offices across the country. Now it is expanding its business on the NH, he says.
Mujeeb adds, “I have spent more than a lakh to set up a beautiful landscape in front of the shop.”
It’s quite visible that the landscape and garden in front of his coffee bar makes motorists stop by to have a sip of coffee and a bite of tasty burgers.
Thanks to growing business opportunities on one of India’s most busiest and picturesque highway, starting from international fast food giant McDonald to domestic coffee chain leader Cafe Coffee Day, a handful of popular branded food chains have set up retail outlets along the NH.
But what made them choose the highway?
Busy highway traffic and state-of-the art infrastructure facilities available at integrated petrol pump stations are the key reasons for them to give a try, says Vivekanandan, manager of the Hindustan Petroleum-owned integrated petrol pump complex, which is located near Soolagiri on Hosur to Krishnagiri NH.
Highway riders stop here not just for fuel, but also to chill out at food centres and parks. Talking to Express, Kabir, a shift manager in McDonalds, said the company runs it as a 24x7 restaurant. Around 60 neatly-dressed employees work here in three shifts to cater to the needs of their highway customers.
He said, “As in cities, weekends are busy for us as more tourists from Bangalore to Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu pass through the NH. Even on week days, he says, the restaurant makes good business with regular highway travellers.
On the same complex, Cafe Coffee Day, India’s largest coffee chain, has its joint. This is the fourth year for Cafe Coffee Day on Hosur to Krishnagiri NH, says its manager Srikara.
“Initially there were very less customers. But the restaurant picked up within a short span of time and now serves around 400-500 customers every day and a higher number of them during weekends,” he adds.
Hosur is the entry point to Tamil Nadu. Vehicles entering Tamil Nadu from Karnataka and other northern states have to ply on Hosur - Krishnagiri NH. On an average, around 40,000 vehicles, including heavy and light motor vehicles ply, on this road everyday, thus keeping all roadside businesses busy.