Started Selling One Dish On A Cycle In 1955. Today, It's A Multi-Crore Empire
Sita Ram and Diwan Chand began selling Chole Bature on a bicycle in 1955, growing it into a multi-crore business. Now, the third generation has expanded the brand even further
One of the ways in which people coped with the lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic was getting into the culinary arts. From making Dalgona coffees to baking up fluffy new delights to the simply learning how to cook basic dishes, many people turned their kitchens into their comfort zones. Among these, many budding chefs may have even dreamt of opening their own food venture to share their talent with others, but as the world returned to pre-pandemic realities, these dreams may have been put on the back burner.
If you are one of those people looking for inspiration to reignite your culinary passions, look no further than Sita Ram Diwan Chand who started with one dish that has turned into a multi-crore empire today.
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When it comes to Delhi’s street food, Sita Ram-Diwan Chand is renowned for Chhole Bature. Sita Ram won the hearts of the people of Delhi by making Chhole Bature, which is soft and incredibly flavourful. Today, not only the people of Delhi, but people from across the country appreciate this taste.
1955: Started On A Bicycle
In 1955, Sita Ram Ji and Diwan Chand Ji started their business. They would park their bicycles in front of Paharganj DAV School and sell hot Chhole Bhature to hungry schoolchildren and passersby.
It became popular, and in 1970, they opened a small shop opposite Imperial Cinema Mall. This significantly boosted their business.
Quality Is The Secret To Success
Sita Ram-Diwan Chand’s secrets to success were:
- Personal selection of spices: They would make his own spices at home.
- The mouth-watering chutneys: Naturally sweet and sour chutneys would be made from dried pomegranate seeds.
- Unique bhature: Cottage cheese, carom, fenugreek and asafoetida were added to make the most delicious bhature.
- Chhole recipe: The Chhole was made with a mixture of more than 20 spices.
Business Grew To New Heights
As Paharganj grew as a business hub and its proximity to the New Delhi Railway Station increased, more people started appreciating his business. The quality of his food attracted old and new customers.
In 2008, their third generation, Rajiv Kohli and Utsav Kohli, opened new branches in Pitampura, Paschim Vihar and Gurugram. This led to the brand growing on a larger scale.
A Step Towards Modernity
In today’s digital era, under the leadership of Puneet Kohli, Sita Ram-Diwan Chand is now reaching out to people through online booking and delivery services.
The success of any big business is due to unwavering determination and perseverance. Another formula for his success is retaining the taste of the old model and using the modern facilities of the newer generation.
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