In the ever-evolving landscape of India’s food delivery market, one company has emerged as a true game-changer. Nino Foods, founded in 2020 by Nishant Jhaveri and his friend Pranav Mehra, is making waves in the digital-first food space. This innovative startup is not just about creating delicious food; it’s about transforming the way food brands operate and expand in a post-pandemic world.
Nino Foods started its journey by taking over Francesco’s, a well-known Mumbai-based pizza brand that was grappling with the challenges posed by the pandemic. The company’s founders saw an opportunity to transform Francesco’s into a digital-first brand, and they did so with remarkable success. This marked the beginning of Nino Foods’ mission to create new brands in the digital-first food space.
One of their notable brands, Nino Burgers, became the fastest-growing brand on Swiggy in Mumbai upon its launch. Francesco’s Pizzeria, under their management, has risen to become Mumbai’s #1 thin-crust gourmet pizza brand. These achievements serve as a testament to the innovative strategies employed by Nino Foods.
Cloud Kitchens Revolution:
Nino Foods operates premium cloud kitchen brands across 12 locations in Mumbai. These brands include Nino Burgers, Kudo Rolls, Flash Pizza, Francesco Pizzeria, Macho Momo, and Hot Wings. What sets Nino Foods apart is its central kitchen, where all base items are freshly prepared daily. This approach not only ensures quality but also enables the company to efficiently share infrastructure and manpower across its brands.
In an exclusive interview with SnackFax, Nishant Jhaveri, Co-Founder, Nino Foods, said, “The new vertical which was one of the experiments we were running. We were helping other food entrepreneurs or family around food businesses across Bombay, Delhi Pune, Bangalore.”
Moreover, Nino Foods leverages hyper-local data for menu optimization, staying ahead of the curve in meeting customer preferences. This data-driven approach enhances their ability to provide exceptional food experiences.
A New Growth Partner Model:
In a bold move, Nino Foods is introducing a groundbreaking growth partner model. Leveraging their tech and supply chain expertise, they enable partners to launch leading food brands using their existing space and manpower, without the need for additional investment. The goal is clear: helping other kitchens maximize revenue on platforms like Zomato and Swiggy using Nino Foods’ platform and marketing expertise.
Nino Foods has already garnered substantial interest, with over 50 prospective partners on their waitlist. The company promises to unveil some exciting virtual brands in the near future.
Nino Foods offers a compelling proposition to potential partners:
- Zero Investment: Partnering with Nino Foods requires no new capital investment. Existing employees and equipment can be used to get started.
- Easy & Flexible Contracts: Transparent and partner-friendly terms make collaboration straightforward.
- Rapid Deployment: Nino Foods understands the urgency of getting started. They promise to make your kitchen live in under 10 days.
- Pan India Supply: Leveraging Nino Foods’ pan India supply chain network provides pricing benefits typically reserved for larger corporations.
- Actionable Data Insights: Detailed insights on your business and actionable steps to enhance it are part of the package.
End-to-End Training: Nino Foods’ training process is designed to be easily understood and implemented.
Capitalizing on a Booming Market:
The digital-first food brand space, where Nino Foods operates, received a significant boost during the pandemic-led lockdowns. As people turned to food delivery services, many food brands and startups saw unprecedented growth. In India, the food delivery market is valued at $10 billion and continues to expand. During the pandemic, average order values rose from INR 250 to INR 350, highlighting the immense potential in this sector. Nino Foods strategically focuses on the premium segment (orders above INR 400), which accounts for 50 percent of industry revenues.
A Promising Future:
In 2021, Nino Foods successfully raised $1.6 million in seed funding from prominent investors, including Y Combinator, Soma Capital, Uncommon Capital, and serial entrepreneur Harry Hurst. This investment reflects the confidence that industry leaders have in the company’s potential to disrupt the food delivery landscape further.
With an impressive track record, a unique growth partner model, and a relentless focus on delivering quality, Nino Foods is poised to continue its remarkable journey of transforming the way India experiences food. As they prepare to launch a series of exciting virtual brands, the company is set to redefine the culinary landscape once again, one delicious meal at a time.
