Tea being served in kulhads (earthen cups) at the newly opened branch of Chai Sutta Bar on Beach Road in Visakhapatnam. , Photo Credit: KR Deepak
In India, tea is much more than just a beverage. It is full of nostalgia – memories of rainy evenings spent enjoying a sip with family, bonds blossoming over a cuppa.
Chai Sutta Bar (CSB) positioning itself around the tea sentiment of India, is one of the fastest growing tea chains in the country. Chai Sutta Bar (CSB) was founded in 2016 by two friends from Indore, Anubhav Dubey and Anand Nayak, at a time when the market was dominated by coffee chains. A B.Com graduate from the small town of Rewa near Indore in Madhya Pradesh, Anubhav’s focus was on the UPSC exam, but he succeeded. tea seller (tea seller), spreading the taste of kulhad (clay cup) tea all over India.
Anubhav Dubey | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“We did a market study and noticed a gap in the tea industry with innovation and lack of standardization. Anubhav says, “The study indicated ample opportunity to start the tea chain, which led to the birth of CSB.” The idea was to do something different. With an initial investment of ₹3 lakh, the first outlet of CSB opened opposite a girls hostel in Indore. while sUttara Associated with smoking, Anubhav states that they do not promote the use of tobacco or alcohol and that the term is a marketing ploy.
Ban Maska and Kulhad tea served at the newly opened branch of Chai Sutta Bar on Beach Road in Visakhapatnam. , Photo Credit: KR Deepak
From its humble beginnings, Chai QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) has expanded to over 450 outlets in 195 cities across India, which also have outlets in Dubai, Muscat, Nepal and Port Blair. It is also present in major cities of South India like Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam and aims to open 50 more outlets in the region in the next one year. CSB serves an average of 4.5 lakh people kulhad tea every day. Besides being eco-friendly, the use of kulhad Provides seasonal employment to 500 small potter families in central India. ,
With an aggressive expansion plan, the company generated a revenue of ₹10 crore in the last financial year, while the franchisees under its fold registered a revenue of over ₹150 crore in the last financial year. The startup has been bootstrapped so far.
A view of the newly opened branch of Chai Sutta Bar at Beach Road in Visakhapatnam. , Photo Credit: KR Deepak
CSB’s specialty product is flavored tea which comes in nine flavors Gingerchocolate, rose, Cardamom, Paan, Saffron, Spices and lemon. One of its popular accompaniments is the maska bun.
Its Visakhapatnam outlet, located at TU-142 Museum Complex on Beach Road, has a curated menu that highlights local flavors and snacks. Along with these, one can choose from Pizzas, Burgers, Pasta, Instant Noodles, Sandwiches and Bites.
The interiors of its outlets reflect a contemporary yet cozy ambiance with comfortable seating arrangements and warm lighting. The use of vibrant colors, such as the brand’s signature red and yellow, adds a visually appealing touch. Additionally, the walls are decorated with wall murals and creative signs that display the essence of tea culture.
Tea being served in kulhads (earthen cups) at the newly opened branch of Chai Sutta Bar on Beach Road in Visakhapatnam. , Photo Credit: KR Deepak
M Sarath, franchisee owner of CSB’s outlet in Visakhapatnam, says a visit to another CSB outlet in Raipur during the pandemic piqued his curiosity about the brand. “The sentiment was positive and the concept interesting. I felt that in Visakhapatnam, the beach and kulhad Tea will go well with it. So we collaborated with CSB and acquired this new space at TU142 Museum Complex on Beach Road on a long-term lease agreement with the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority,” says Sarath.
Visakhapatnam Chai Sutta Bar is open from 11 am till midnight.