Saravana Bhavan
Hotel Saravana Bhavan is the largest South Indian vegetarian restaurant chain in the world, founded in 1981 with ₹5,000 capital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.[1] They have more than 39 locations in India (30 in Chennai) and 87 across several countries in Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and North America.[2][3]
Private | |
Industry | Restaurant |
Genre | Southern Indian Vegetarian Cuisine |
Founded | 1981 |
Founder | P. Rajagopal |
Headquarters | Chennai , India |
Number of locations | 25 (in india), 85 (outside india) |
Area served | India, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Oman, Canada, France, Belgium, Germany, Singapore, Bahrain, UAE, UK, USA, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, South Africa, Qatar, Hong Kong, Thailand, Netherlands and Sweden. |
Key people | P. R. Siva Kumar R. Saravanan |
Products | Food, Sweets, Bakery, Ice Cream |
Services | Fast Food, Take Away, Home Delivery and Outdoor Catering |
Revenue | |
Number of employees | 8,700 (in India - 2014) |
Website | www.saravanabhavan.com |
History
P. Rajagopal opened a tiny grocery shop on the outskirts of the city.[4] In 1992, Rajagopal on his visits to Singapore observed the functioning of the multinational fast food joints like McDonald's and used them as a model.[5]
By the 1990s, the Saravana Bhavan chain spread throughout neighbourhoods in Chennai. In 2000, Saravana Bhavan opened its first branch outside India, opening a franchise in Dubai, with a large number of Indian expatriates. It eventually expanded to Paris, Frankfurt, London, New York City, Dallas, Toronto, Stockholm, Doha and Auckland. While the restaurants gained popularity among non-Indians, they mostly target the South Asian expatriate population. They are sometimes referred to as "canteen-like joints are strictly aimed at Indian expatriates missing a taste of home".[6] It is considered to be a high volume, low margin venture which is labour-intensive. Saravana Bhavan sends workers from India to work in their foreign branches.[7] The overseas outlets are run by franchisees.
See also
References
- "Founder & Key Personalities". Saravana Bhavan. Retrieved 31 May 2007.
- Berry, Rynn; Suzuki, Chris A.; Litsky, Barry (2006). The Vegan Guide to New York City. Ethical Living. p. 27. ISBN 0-9788132-0-0. Retrieved 3 July 2008.
- Addison, Bill (30 June 2006). "Diners line up for Saravana dosas". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 3 July 2008.
- Romig, Rollo (7 May 2014). "Masala Dosa to Die For". Retrieved 12 April 2019 – via NYTimes.com.
- The Hindu, Friday, 21 August 1998
- "Coconuts Hong Kong Hot Spot food review of Indian restaurant Saravana Bhavan". Coconuts. 18 November 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
- Management, Strategic; Asia-Pacific; China; India; America, North. "Indian Restaurant Chains Have Overseas Expansion on Their Menus". Knowledge@Wharton. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
External links
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