Amit Bagga, the co-founder and CEO of Daryaganj, talks about the brand’s aim of reaching 100 outlets in 5 years in the country and overseas expansion.
HT Bureau
In the bustling landscape of the Indian restaurant industry, I began a unique culinary journey. Despite my family’s background in the automobile business, my true passion lay in the restaurant industry. In 2010, I co-founded a restaurant bar chain to explore the restaurant world. By 2016, I realized bar-oriented establishments struggled to build loyalty so I shifted focus to family-oriented casual dining. This marked the beginning of Daryaganj Restaurant, where families could enjoy memorable dining experiences, and my passion for the restaurant industry found its true home.
Daryaganj: the beginning
In 2019, my childhood friend Raghav Jaggi and I embarked on a culinary journey with a mission. We launched our brand, ‘DARYAGANJ – By the Inventors of Butter Chicken & Dal Makhani’, to revive the legacy of the late Mr. Kundan Lal Jaggi, who also happened to be Raghav’s grandfather.
Our goal was clear- to reintroduce the authentic flavours of North Indian cuisine to a world that had begun to forget its culinary heritage. We recognized a void in the market, an unmet need for a North Indian casual dining restaurant brand. We aspired to offer consistently top-notch cuisine, warm and inviting service, and a unique dining experience, all while maintaining affordability.
The strength of Daryaganj’s cuisine
Daryaganj is renowned for its classic North Indian cuisine, rich in history and robust flavours. Our menu showcases exquisite kebabs and sumptuous curries like Butter Chicken and Dal Makhani, expertly prepared to let every ingredient shine.
Our food is crafted using fresh, hand-picked ingredients, including tandoor-grilled meats, seafood, and vegetables prepared to perfection. We use local produce to capture the flavours of post-independence North India. Our reconstructed dishes proudly bear the names ‘The Original 1947 Butter Chicken’ and ‘The Original 1947 Dal Makhani’.
Growth and future
Daryaganj has excelled in mall and high-street locations, meeting the demand for quality retail spaces in India. Our unique growth strategy, the FICO model – ‘Franchise Invested, Company Operated’, has investors sharing revenue while the brand handles daily operations and expenses, ensuring quality standards. Currently, with 7 casual dining restaurants and 3 Cloud Kitchens, we plan to expand to 8 more CDR outlets and 7 Cloud outlets in North India, totalling 25 stores. Our future goals include South and West India expansion and an international store in Thailand, with the ultimate aim of reaching 100 outlets in 5 years and exploring international opportunities in Singapore, UAE, UK, and Australia.
Expansion plans
While success is indeed a tantalizing taste, our primary focus remains on nurturing the growth of Daryaganj. However, our expanding operational team and valuable experience have positioned us to consider the creation of more brands within the same segment in the coming year. Our commitment to excellence will remain unwavering as we embark on this journey of creating more brands, while keeping affordability in mind.
“Daryaganj has excelled in mall and high-street locations, meeting the demand for quality retail spaces”
