Horeca Stop, a New Delhi-based B2B platform, has emerged as a game-changer in the hospitality sector. Founded in 2019,and re-launched in 2022 post covid, the startup addresses a critical procurement gap in the industry by combining platform play, e-commerce and SaaS.
This innovative approach has helped small and medium enterprises (SMEs) connect with large hospitality brands, contributing significantly to their growth.
The Union Budget 2024 has placed a major emphasis on scaling India’s MSME sector, and Horeca Stop is a perfect example of how startups can contribute to this vision. According to Abhishek Garg, the founder of Horeca Stop, MSMEs often face challenges related to working capital and market awareness, which leads to them being sidelined by larger manufacturers. Horeca Stop aims to fill this gap by offering consistent business opportunities to small manufacturers, allowing them to thrive.
The Story Behind Horeca Stop
Abhishek Garg’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2015 after dropping out from his college. Although he had an interest in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, his path took a different turn when he started Roadiets, a platform to discover the best dishes. Though Roadiets didn’t scale, it sparked Abhishek’s interest in the hospitality industry, eventually leading him to found Estandardz in 2017. Estandardz first of its kind tech-based consulting and PMC, helped hotels and restaurants Build, manage and operate their properties, and through this experience, Abhishek identified a critical issue—procurement inefficiencies.
“There were cafes struggling to maintain a consistent supply of even basic items like straws cups, and restaurants were having a hard time negotiating fair prices with manufacturers,” says Abhishek. This realization led him to start Horeca Stop in 2019, a platform designed to solve these very challenges.
Horeca Stop: Empowering SMEs with Consistent Orders and Fair Pricing
Horeca Stop serves as an end-to-end supply chain enabler, connecting small manufacturers with large brands such as Radisson, WOW! Momo, Blue Tokai, and NY Cinemas. The platform ensures SMEs can meet the growing demand by providing them with resources, working capital, and operational support.
The company’s key goal is to solve the issues of quality, reliability, and standardization in the procurement process. Horeca Stop works with both sides of the supply chain:
For the Brands: Horeca Stop offers brands consistent supply, cost-effective pricing, and guaranteed quality. Abhishek highlights that partnering with SMEs helps reduce costs significantly while supporting the local economy. “SMEs charge about half the price of large manufacturers, and they often provide higher quality and more customizable products,” he says.
For the SMEs: Initially, many small manufacturers were hesitant to change, but Horeca Stop invested in their factories, provided them with working capital, and brought in real orders. This not only ensured steady income but also brought SMEs into a growing ecosystem where they could scale.
A Simple, Efficient Order Process
Abhishek emphasizes that Horeca Stop’s process is simple for brands: they specify their requirements, set a price, and provide a delivery deadline. From there, Horeca Stop takes care of everything—from sourcing raw materials and finding the right factory to ensuring timely delivery and quality control.
Through this model, Horeca Stop has successfully supported SMEs by offering them steady orders, better financial prospects, and access to a broader market.
Success Stories of Empowered SMEs
Abhishek shares the success story of a manufacturer from Uttar Pradesh who initially made around Rs 5-7 lakh a month. After joining Horeca Stop’s ecosystem, this supplier expanded his business and now generates Rs 25 lakh in monthly revenue, serving three times as many clients across India.
“These are the kinds of success stories that drive us,” Abhishek adds. “When our partners win, we win.”
Horeca Stop’s growing clientele includes prestigious hospitality brands such as Radisson, Raffles, and NY Cinemas. The startup has played an integral role in empowering small manufacturers and enabling them to reach new heights.
Future Growth and Expansion Plans
Horeca Stop’s impressive growth trajectory continues, with the company now clocking an annual recurring revenue (ARR) of approximately Rs 8 crore ($1 million). Abhishek and his team are preparing for a significant funding round to fuel the platform’s expansion.
Looking ahead, Horeca Stop aims to hit Rs 100 crore in revenue within the next two-three years and is targeting global growth. Abhishek’s ultimate goal is for Horeca Stop to become the world’s largest hospitality sourcing platform after China.
A New Kind of Hiring Culture
Despite being bootstrapped, Horeca Stop is actively hiring and seeks individuals who are “coachable” and passionate, rather than placing emphasis on academic qualifications. Abhishek, who himself is a dropout, is focused on finding talent with a growth mindset, emphasizing that the right attitude is what truly matters in building a successful startup.
Entrepreneurship Philosophy: Passion, Planning, and Patience
Abhishek’s journey is a testament to the power of persistence. Reflecting on his path, he says, “I was once obsessed with getting into a top international college. Now, I’ve had the privilege of being part of MIT’s Entrepreneurship Bootcamp. Life has its own way of fulfilling your dreams. My message is simple: keep at it.”
Conclusion
Horeca Stop is transforming the hospitality procurement landscape by helping SMEs scale while providing large brands with quality, affordable, and reliable products. With its focus on technology, e-commerce, and supply chain efficiency, Horeca Stop is poised for rapid growth and has the ambition to become a global leader in hospitality sourcing.
To learn more about Horeca Stop, visit: https://www.horecastop.com
