What began as a humble ‘chai tapri’ outside a college in Shillong has grown into a multi-crore tea franchise in Delhi. Chaai Seth, founded by Arpit Raj and his friends, now boasts outlets in 27 Indian states.
In 2015, while pursuing a BBA in Hospitality, 24-year-old Arpit Raj and his friends often roamed Shillong in search of good food. However, their hectic schedules left them free only late at night, when most places were closed. Recognizing a gap, they started a midnight tiffin delivery service from their hostel, catering to late-night cravings. As demand grew, the group moved into a flat and hired a cook to expand their offerings, ensuring food delivery within 30 minutes.
The experience taught Arpit Raj an important lesson: food connects people. Observing how individuals craved dishes from their cultural backgrounds, the group decided to set up a food stall near campus. However, instead of focusing on varied cuisines, they chose a universal favorite—tea.
The idea took off, thanks to Shillong’s cool climate, and their small 100 sq ft stall quickly became a popular hangout spot. However, local regulations required partnerships with locals to operate businesses, and the group eventually had to close their stall after graduating in 2018.
Arpit moved to Delhi for a corporate job but remained passionate about the tea business. After a year and a half, he convinced two friends—a CA and a software engineer—to join him in scaling up their chai venture. Together, they reopened the business in Delhi, initially catering to IIT professors. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the trio expanded their menu to include burgers, sandwiches, momos, and other snacks, alongside an extensive variety of teas.
Chaai Seth now offers 25 unique tea flavors, including daalchini, butterscotch, kali mirch, and guava tea. With 27 outlets across India and a customer base exceeding 50,000, the brand achieved a turnover of Rs 3.5 crore last year. Arpit attributes their success to consistency across all outlets.
Regular customers praise Chaai Seth’s innovative flavors, delicious food, and inviting ambiance. Chandrakant Panchal, a patron at the Ahmedabad outlet, appreciates the space for family time, while Parth Sanghavi commends the taste of their kadak chai and kesar ilaichi chai.
Chaai Seth’s journey from a small stall in Shillong to a nationwide franchise exemplifies how passion, resilience, and innovation can transform a simple idea into a thriving business.
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