Our Vision: To become the go-to Indian Street Food cafe
Our Mission: We go beyond serving delicious Indian street food. We are passionate about fostering connections and creating welcoming spaces where everyone feels like they belong. Whether you’re enjoying a cup of chaii with friends in our cafes or having our flavourful dishes delivered to your doorstep, Chaiiwala brings people together.
About Us: Since its establishment in 2015, the brand has transformed from a humble concept inspired by the traditional chaiiwalas of India into a globally recognised name in the food and beverage industry. Combining a deep respect for tradition with innovative modern dining, Chaiiwala has become synonymous with high-quality food, warm hospitality, and community-focused values.
The brand’s menu is a masterful blend of tradition and innovation, offering an extensive range of signature chaii, snacks, and urban-style Indian (desi) Street Food. From the iconic Karak Chaii to flavourful dishes such as masala chips, Bombay sandwiches, and desi breakfasts, Chaiiwala provides a fresh twist on classic recipes while staying true to its roots. Every item is crafted with care, creating a menu that appeals to both nostalgic diners and those seeking something new and exciting. With stylish interiors and a welcoming atmosphere, each store is designed to cater to dine-in customers while also providing seamless takeaway and delivery services.
Since franchising began in 2015, Chaiiwala has seen extraordinary growth. It now boasts c.135 stores worldwide, including c.108 in the UK, 24 in Canada, and 3 in Dubai. The brand’s ambitious expansion plans include further growth in South Asia, the USA, and the Middle East. Its ability to adapt to diverse markets and secure premium locations, such as high streets, shopping malls, university campuses, and travel hubs, has been key to its success.
Beyond its impressive growth, is a brand rooted in purpose. Inspired by the role of the original chaiiwalas as community hubs, the company seeks to foster a sense of connection in every area it serves. It also aims to set the gold standard for Indian street food globally while giving back through the Chaiiwala Charitable Foundation, which works to combat malnutrition both locally and internationally.
Franchisees benefit from Chaiiwala’s robust business model and extensive support system. The brand continues to open 4-5 stores each month, offering franchisees access to a scalable, proven operation. Stores typically range from 1,500 to 2,500 square feet and are meticulously designed to reflect the brand’s ethos while catering to the unique needs of the local community. Chaiiwala empowers its franchisees with innovative product offerings, strong marketing strategies, and a focus on customer-first values, ensuring their success in this competitive industry.
The mission extends beyond food—it is about creating memorable experiences and becoming an integral part of its customers’ lives. By combining authentic flavours, cutting-edge concepts, and a strong sense of purpose, the brand is poised to disrupt the billion-pound hot drinks and street food industry. With its rapid global expansion and unwavering commitment to excellence, Chaiiwala is well on its way to becoming a beloved household name worldwide.
Our Values
Customer Focus: Prioritise customer satisfaction and create exceptional experiences.
Quality: Maintain the highest standards of quality in food, service, and operations, striving for continuous improvement in all aspects of the business.
Respect: Treat all colleagues, customers, and partners with respect and dignity
Integrity: Act with honesty and transparency in all business dealings.
Passion: Approach work with enthusiasm and a love for Indian street food culture.
Our Organisational Strengths to help Franchisees deliver
Operations: Experienced management team and strong industry knowledge within the fast-paced retail food sector.
Marketing: In-house marketing, branding and social media teams enable us to quickly get product and brand awareness out to customers.
Finance: Our finance department monitors our financial operations alongside tax preparation, auditing, banking and other daily financial requirements company wide.
Human Resources: Our staff are the core of our business with benefits and continuous training programs strongly supporting our high retention rate.
Research & Development: We are always looking to grow our brand and are constantly working on ways to improve our operations by implementing the latest technologies and new best practices. Our chefs are mandated to search and test for new recipes and products in our central test kitchen.
Location: Our real estate team constantly and actively prospect strategic locations and partners for growth that align with our key metrics.
People often ask, “How will I spend my time as a franchise owner?”
The truth is, being a Chaiiwala Franchise Partner means you are the passionate entrepreneur, the heart of your local community, and the driving force behind your store’s unique flavour. You wear the exciting hats of a business leader, focused on aligning resources, delivering operational excellence, and fostering long-term relationships with every customer and colleague.
Our comprehensive support structure means you’re never starting from scratch. You benefit from seasoned ways of working designed to ease every team member into their role confidently and at pace.
The Karak Kick-Off: Setting the Day’s Tone
Your day begins with energy and focus. The Daily Team Briefing is your opportunity to engage and motivate your team. This crucial time is dedicated to sharing sales priorities (especially on exciting new LTOs), ensuring product availability, and preparing your team to deliver superior customer service that goes beyond expectations.
Checking the Pulse of the Business
Mid-morning is dedicated to managing the flow and ensuring compliance. This is your time to step into ‘Air Traffic Control’, reviewing the latest emails, customer feedback, and local business correspondence. You delegate key actions and schedule appointments with your support teams across finance, operations, and marketing.
Crucially, you dedicate time to Legal Due Diligence. Compliance isn’t a chore; it’s the foundation of quality. This time is used to review routines, coach your teams, and ensure your store is always safe, legal, hygienic, and reflecting the highest provenance standards.
Serving Up Smiles and Driving Performance
A core part of your day is dedicated to Checking the Pulse of the Team and the Customer. You monitor what feedback your team is receiving and proactively address any issues, ensuring every interaction reflects the Chaiiwala standard. Our Structured Task Sheet Management ensures daily priorities are mapped out for every team member, keeping the entire operation proactive and efficient.
You take quality time to Review the Financial Pulse. This isn’t just counting stock; it’s dedicated time to review key performance indicators (KPIs) across sales, stock ordering, profits, and margin. This is where you identify immediate opportunities to maximise returns and ensure your business remains in excellent health.
Fanning the Flames of Growth
You are the local marketing expert. Supported by our National Support Centre team, a significant part of your week is spent building relationships with local businesses and identifying opportunities to draw new customers in. This includes being part of local community events or identifying busy weekends for strategic sampling. The National Support Centre team is always on hand to support with design needs, share best practices, and guide on brand marketing execution.
Finally, the Handover Routine ensures the final communication and focus are set for the evening team who will close the store and seamlessly prepare the environment for the next morning’s shift.
Considering franchising with Chaiiwala? You take the leap to become your own boss, supported by a professional system and proven brand infrastructure that allows you to operate like a seasoned professional from day one. Embrace the structure, and unlock your entrepreneurial potential!
