Jayaram Banan, the “Dosa King of North India”, is one of the richest persons across the country. At the age of 64 years, Jayaram Banan, known for his humility built from scratch one of the most beloved restaurant chains “Sagar Ratna”.
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Sagar Ratna is known for its authentic South Indian dishes such as dosas, idlis, vadas, uttapams and sambar. The chain uses high-quality ingredients and follows traditional cooking methods to prepare its dishes.
Sagar Ratna’s menu is quite extensive, and in addition to South Indian dishes, it also offers North Indian and Chinese dishes. The chain is also popular for its thalis, which are a complete meal consisting of a variety of dishes served on a platter.
Apart from its dine-in and takeaway services, Sagar Ratna also offers catering services for events and parties.
Sagar Ratna has also expanded its operations outside India, with outlets in countries like Canada, Nepal, and the United States. The chain has also won several awards for its food and service, including the “Best South Indian Restaurant Chain” award by the Times Food Awards.
In addition to Sagar Ratna, Banan has also founded several other successful ventures, including Swagath, a seafood restaurant chain, and Moksha, a wellness and yoga center. He is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of the Indian restaurant industry and continues to be an influential figure in the sector.
But do you know how all of this started?
Background:
Born near Udupi District in Karnataka, Jayaram was an avid dreamer who used to dream about being a successful entrepreneur one day. Unfortunately, he had a harsh father who would subject him to brutal punishments, such as rubbing chili powder in his eyes, for not performing well in his studies.
During a particular examination, Jayaram believed that he had performed poorly and feared punishment from his father. This made him realize that he had reached his limit with his father’s behavior, prompting him to decide to leave home.
So, at the age of 13, Harsh was all set for a new life, in Panvel, Navi Mumbai, as a dish-washer in the Hindustan Organic Chemicals (HOC) Canteen. However, he never stopped dreaming and always used to dream about having something of ‘his own’. Despite being mocked by many people he wanted to chase what his heart was craving for.
Other than being a hard working employee, he was a great observer as well and he knew his ways of dealing with people. Hence, he moved from doing the dishes to serving the tables and he knew he was good at it as the customers used to love the waiter with a warm smile and polite attitude.
He quickly rose from doing dishes to managing tables and eventually becoming the head manager at the HOC canteen. Despite his success, he never lost sight of his dream to become an entrepreneur.
After leaving the HOC canteen, he traveled to Bombay and then Delhi. It was during his travels that he discovered the misrepresentation of South Indian cuisine, particularly with regards to dosas, in the North. This realization left him disheartened.
In 1986, Jayaram Banan decided to start his own business, and he founded Sagar Ratna, a vegetarian restaurant in Delhi. The restaurant was an instant success, and soon became a popular destination for food lovers in the city. Jayaram Banan’s vision was to create a restaurant that would serve authentic South Indian food, and he succeeded in doing just that.
He always thought of himself as a people’s person and wanted everyone to try out the delicious south Indian food they were serving at their restaurant. Hence, he kept the prices of his restaurant very moderate and not skyrocketing, because business to him was not only making profits, but for people to try out the food of his native.
And in the end his humility paid off! Over the years, Sagar Ratna expanded rapidly, and today, it has more than 90 restaurants across India and abroad. The restaurant chain has won numerous awards for its quality of food and service, and it has become a household name in the country.
He got successful because he wanted to provide top quality service for his customers and wanted each one of them to leave his restaurant with not just a full belly but full hearts too. He made it a priority to ensure that his restaurants serve only the freshest and highest quality ingredients. This commitment to quality has helped to build a loyal customer base, and has also helped to attract new customers to the restaurant chain.
Apart from being a great observer of people, he was a great observer of market dynamics as well, which made him a truly successful businessman.
He has always been quick to recognize emerging trends in the hospitality industry and has been able to adjust his business strategy accordingly. For example, when the demand for home delivery of food increased in India, Jayaram Banan quickly introduced a home delivery service for Sagar Ratna, which helped to increase the restaurant chain’s reach and customer base.
Today, Mr. Jayaram stands tall with an annual turnover of INR 300 crores, and a food chain that is loved by the North Indians and the South Indians alike!
Jayaram Banan’s success story offers several lessons that entrepreneurs and business leaders can learn from. Here are some of the key lessons that we can take away from his journey:
- Believe in your vision: Jayaram Banan had a clear vision of what he wanted to achieve with Sagar Ratna. He believed in his vision and worked tirelessly to make it a reality. As an entrepreneur, it’s essential to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve and believe in it passionately.
- Focus on quality: Jayaram Banan always prioritized quality in his restaurants. He believed that offering the best possible experience to customers was essential to building a loyal customer base. As a business leader, it’s important to prioritize quality over everything else to ensure that your business stands out from the competition.
- Adapt to changing market conditions: Jayaram Banan was quick to recognize emerging trends in the hospitality industry and adapt his business strategy accordingly. As a business leader, it’s important to stay agile and be open to change to ensure that your business remains relevant and competitive.
- Build a strong team: Jayaram Banan understood the importance of building a strong team to achieve his vision. He surrounded himself with skilled and motivated individuals who shared his passion for quality and customer service. As a business leader, it’s crucial to build a team of talented individuals who can help you achieve your goals.
- Never give up: Jayaram Banan faced many challenges and setbacks on his journey to success. However, he never gave up and remained focused on his vision. As an entrepreneur, it’s essential to have resilience and determination to overcome obstacles and achieve your goals.
By incorporating these principles into their own businesses, entrepreneurs can increase their chances of success and make a lasting impact in their respective industries.brands
Jayaram is a shining example of how India is evolving, and his success story in the food industry is a testament to the power of determination, hard work, and a commitment to excellence.