Does this sound reasonable?
Opportunity
I have surveyed about 8-10 institutes esp. business schools which do not have a food joint nearby wherein they can come, take a break from college, have great tasting and cost-effective food (Paranthas/Maggi/Masala Chai).
Presently, Most of these colleges surroundings are filled with small time pan valas, selling cigarettes, regular chai and even if there are Dhabas – its either really avg. in taste or completely unhygienic.
Thereafter, the next option for students is a nearby market filled with fast food joints but thats not the experience that i am intending to offer,
Besides, All Colleges do have a canteen/nescafe joint inside its premises but most of students do like to go out of the institute for a change.
Value Proposition/USPs
A dhaba experience but with Hygienic Food
Home Like Tasting Paranthas, Maggi etc.
Walking distance from their college
Cheaper than Fast food Joints like CCD, Nirulas
Branding
Intend to brand it like a “Youth Food Van” mostly found around colleges, the design and look of the van will appeal instantly over time and be able to relate to it.
Challenges
RoI/Van seem to be low since i cant charge more than 30-35 bucks for Paranthas/Maggi
Finding and handling Labour and their salaries
Handling Local Authorities
Enough Institutes having adequate environment for this.
Love to hear your thoughts on this?
asha chaudhry
sumit,
since you’re from delhi and you’ve mentioned nirulas, i’m presuming you’re talking about some areas in new delhi only?
i suggest you check all the comments on this thread – https://www.therodinhoods.com/forum/topics/will-this-idea-work-1
Sumit Anand
yup, taking about delhi/ncr for start.
Had gone through that thread, the proposition is different in a way:
he is talking about setting up any public and crowded place and banking on maggi as a product, i am intending to keep it around institutes and banking of things i mentioned above as my offering and moreso, a food van instead of an outlet.
Manish Golchha
Sumit, challenge what may face – where to place the van, police interference, source of crowd except students and returns will be high only if you either start more than 10 vans at different outlet or giving franchisee….& it will take at least couple of years to reach there and if you can sustain that much time – then I suggest do go ahead…there is a big market for Hygenic food.
Amit Thaker
Sumit, I have been thinking on this for a while now (i am based in Bengaluroo) its not just maggie or the conventional stuff , there is lot more to be explored in terms of offerings in India, I have seen vans minting money in ahmedabad selling CUSTOMISED GUJJU MEXICAN near colleges etc.
I havent reached till the costings/estimations , do you have anything to share interms of numbers?
Your Challenges :
1) Local Authorities : You are an entrepreneur , entrepreneurs can manage them dont worry 🙂
2) ROI : Theres more to offer then just MAGGI, if you offer the right TASTE you can increase it by different blends of food items which can be tested and offered on a regular basis
3) Labour issues : NO LABOUR , you need to partner with one or two guys and start it by YOURSELF, its extremely important to get your hands dirty when you start. Cleaning utensils, cutting vegetables, preparing , frying,boiling , serving, talkin to customers and even entertain them if possible
In the end dont worry about the ROI and money you make(offcourse we must try our best to get our bread & butter) but just keep sailing and njoy the breeze(experience) for a while
happy frying & boiling
Amit
amitnthaker@gmail.com
Ankit Mahindru
Sumit, the idea is very exciting. When you sell to students, the price would be the biggest factor. Being a student i can tell you that 30-35 bucks for a maggi or Paratha is costly. We buy Maggi for Rs 18 in our college and a Paratha ranges from Rs 15-20. You will either need to work on the taste of the food or cut down on your pricing. However, if you give me something more tastier than the dhaba wala or the tuck shop in my college i would not mind shelling an extra 5-10 bucks.
One more thing that you can add is delivery in college hostels. In most colleges students are not permited to go out after 8:30 pm and all those who deliver food are costlier.The Paratha and Roll Walas do not offer delivery. If you start up in an area like Greater Noida or a place which is dense in terms of population of colleges then you can offer delievry to college hostels for a bill of someting like 50-70 bucks.
I belive this will work as students look for change and the dhaba walas offer regular stuff .You could offer variations of maggi, rolls, momos and stuff but with a twist, something which they cannot get around the college.
Aarti Kansal
Hi Sumit,
I am currently working with an institute in greater noida. We are looking for a similar concept for our institute. Request you to please get in touch with me at nietmarketing@gmail.com for a detailed discussion.