Three friends, Rs 3 lakh & one chai idea: They ditched civil service preparation to start a tea outlet, today their brand has 650+ outlets & earns Rs 100 crore

For many Indians, chai is simply part of the daily routine. But for three friends from Indore, the humble cup of tea became the foundation of a business that has grown into a brand with more than 650 outlets across the world. Anubhav Dubey and Anand Nayak started out with plans that were very different from running a tea business. The two friends were preparing for civil service examinations before deciding to take the entrepreneurial route. Rahul Patidar later joined them in the venture.

In 2016, the trio launched Chai Sutta Bar in Indore. What began with an investment of Rs 3 lakh has since expanded into a large franchise network, with the brand now earning around Rs 100 crore.

From second-hand phones to a chai business

Before entering the food and beverage business, the friends were involved in selling second-hand mobile phones, according to ANI. They eventually decided to build a business together and chose chai as the centre of their venture. Their idea was to offer affordable food and beverages while keeping the brand connected to Indian culture.


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Despite its name, Chai Sutta Bar does not allow smoking inside its cafes.

One of the early features that helped define the brand was kulhad chai. Tea served in traditional clay cups became a key part of the outlets, giving a familiar Indian touch to the experience.

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The menu later expanded beyond regular tea. Customers could choose variants such as Tulsi, Ginger, Chocolate and Kesar chai. The outlets also added food options including pasta, burgers and noodles.

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How Chai Sutta Bar makes money

Keeping prices affordable has remained a central part of the business model. A cup of chai is priced at Rs 15, while coffee starts at Rs 20. Cold coffee and shakes are priced at Rs 70 and above.

The company follows a franchise-led expansion model. In an interview with ANI in 2021, co-founder Anand Nayak said franchisees were provided 15 days of training before opening their outlets.

The model allowed the brand to expand beyond its home city without relying solely on company-owned cafes.

From Indore to international markets

Chai Sutta Bar has grown considerably since its first outlet opened in Indore in 2016. The brand now has more than 650 outlets globally.

Its expansion has also moved beyond India. The brand entered Canada last year, while Nepal and the United Arab Emirates are among the other countries where it has established outlets.

The business, which started with three friends and a Rs 3 lakh investment, now earns around Rs 100 crore, turning an everyday Indian beverage into the foundation of a sizeable franchise business.


Disclaimer: This article is based on information sourced from news agencies and other publicly available sources. The business, revenue and outlet figures mentioned are based on information available at the time of reporting and may change over time. Readers are advised to independently verify the latest figures and developments.