Type | Private |
---|---|
Industry | Restaurant |
Genre | Southern Indian Cuisine |
Founded | 1981 |
Founder | P. Rajagopal |
Headquarters | Chennai , India |
Number of locations | 33 (in India), 78 (outside India) |
Area served | India, U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Oman, Canada, France, Belgium, Germany, Singapore, Bahrain, UAE, UK, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, 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 | ₹29,782.4 million (US$370 million) (2017) |
Number of employees | 8,700 (in India - 2023) |
Website | www.saravanabhavan.com (Global)
saravanabhavan.co (India) www.saravanabhavanlondon.co.uk (UK) www.saravanaabhavan.us (US) www.saravanabhavan.ca (Canada) www.saravanaabhavan.com.au (Australia) www.saravanaabhavan.se(Sweden) |
Hotel Saravana Bhavan is the largest South Indian restaurant chain in the world, founded in 1981 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.[1] The entity operates 33 locations in India (24 in Chennai) and 78 across 22 countries in North America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Oceania.[2][3]
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, in Dubai, with a large number of Indian expatriates. It eventually expanded to several major cities including the New York City metropolitan area, Paris, Frankfurt, London, Dallas, Toronto, Stockholm, Doha, and Auckland. While the restaurants have gained popularity among non-Indians, they mostly target the South Asian expatriate population. They are sometimes referred to as "canteen-like joints 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 and America to work in their foreign branches.[7]
This South Indian restaurant chain currently serves many countries worldwide. Outside India and the U.S., these countries include Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Oman, Canada, France, Belgium, Germany, Singapore, Bahrain, UAE, United Kingdom, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Qatar, Hong Kong, Thailand, Netherlands, and Sweden. The overseas outlets are run by franchisees.[8]
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.
- ↑ "Saravana Bhavan plans foray into hospitality sector after it strengthens international presence further". economic times. 3 November 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2021.