After receiving worldwide accolades in ayurvedic products, the Delhi-based Burman family, which owns Dabur India, is set to be among the first to start a restaurant chain that would serve Indian cuisine globally.
Burman is planning to open outlets of restaurant chain Punjab Grill — the flagship brand that accounts for 40 per cent of Lite Bite’s total revenue — in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Thailand and Abu Dhabi besides some other West Asian countries over next year.
“We are talking to potential partners for joint ventures (JVs) and franchising. Having a local partner reduces operational hazards,” Burman, who is the chairman of Lite Bite Foods, said. The company has not engaged any consultant to find partners. “In fact, people came to us with JV proposals from all these countries; we have not approached anybody so far,” he said, adding Lite Bite Foods would only explore cities with Indian migrants where Punjab Grill could easily get acceptance.
Lite Bite aims to cross the Rs 500-crore mark by 2014, with more than 300 outlets in India and outside.
It currently operates 65 outlets under three verticals — quick service, casual dining and fine dining restaurant concepts. It also operates under brands like Zambar, Asia Seven, FrescCo, Pinos, Baker Street, Pollo Campero and Street Foods of India, besides about 10 Subway outlets in the national capital region.
To expand presence in India, Burman has decided to extend the franchise model to all restaurant brands. “So far, we offered franchise for the flagship Punjab Grill. We recently signed five-seven franchise agreements for other brands,” he said.
By September 2013, the company will open 14 outlets at the Mumbai airport — and 16 more by September 2014. So far, it has been operating seven outlets at the Delhi airport.
Depending on the company’s performance over next year, Burman said, the company might plan an initial public offering in three years.