New Delhi: Whenever we go to Britain, America, Canada or any other contry and see an Indian restaurant there, our chest swells with pride. That is so that Indians are earning a good name abroad. It is indeed frequently enough believed that employment opportunities are less in India.But if we look deeply, there are opportunities here too.On one such occasion, a person from France has hit a four.
Nicolas Grossemy of France has become a big industrialist in India.He started a food chain in Bengaluru from which he is earning crores of rupees. He runs a sandwich brand named Paris Panini. He has many restaurants in Bengaluru. He is earning Rs 50 crore annually by selling sandwiches.
Narayana Murthy bought a luxurious flat in bengaluru, you will be shocked to know the price, the name of the place is linked to Vijay Mallya.
Nicholas came to India for studies
Recently, on a YouTube channel named GrowthX, Nicholas told about his journey. He said that he comes from an ordinary family in France. At the age of 22, he came to India to pursue a master’s degree.
He says in the video that his parents were teachers. He used to help his mother in cooking in the kitchen. This developed a passion for cooking in him. After studying in India,he started food business through food truck in the year 2015. Today they have 8 dining outlets and 7 cloud kitchens in Bengaluru.
Many varieties of sandwiches
Nicholas loved sandwiches since childhood. This is the reason why he started business in these. today his brand Paris Panini sells a variety of sandwiches. Nicholas says that it is indeed critically important to have a brand name to create a strong identity. This name should be such that it directly shows the product.
Economics of business explained
Nicholas also explains the economics of his business in the video. he said that the share of food cost in the total revenue is 28 percent. 10 percent of the money is spent on paying rent. 35 percent of the amount is spent on salary and admin. 10 percent is spent in marketing.After this, the remaining 15 percent is profit.
Earning Rs 4 crore per month
Nicholas told that his monthly revenue is rs 4 crore i.e. about Rs 50 crore annually. Most sales are made online. As much as 70 percent of some sales happen online. The remaining 30 percent of sales come from customers who eat sandwiches while sitting in the restaurant.
What challenges did Nicolas Grossemy face when starting his sandwich business in India?
Interview with Nicolas Grossemy: The Journey from Student to Sandwich Mogul in India
Editor (Time.news): Welcome, Nicolas! It’s an absolute pleasure to have you here today. Your entrepreneurial journey from a student to the owner of the accomplished sandwich chain, Paris Panini, in Bengaluru is inspiring. Let’s dive into your story. Can you start by sharing what brought you to India?
Nicolas Grossemy: Thank you for having me! I came to India at the age of 22 to pursue a master’s degree. My family has a strong educational background; my parents were teachers, which instilled in me the value of education. I developed a passion for cooking early on by helping my mother. This passion eventually led me to the food industry.
Editor: that’s engaging! After your studies, you transitioned from being a student to a food entrepreneur. Can you tell us about your first steps in the industry?
Nicolas Grossemy: Absolutely! After completing my studies in India, I started with a food truck in 2015, which was a practical way to enter the food business without a large initial investment. This humble beginning allowed me to gauge the market’s response to different sandwich recipes. Today, I’m proud to say that Paris Panini has expanded to 8 dining outlets and 7 cloud kitchens in Bengaluru.
Editor: Eight outlets is notable! What inspired you to focus specifically on sandwiches?
Nicolas Grossemy: I’ve loved sandwiches since childhood. They’re versatile, can be customized endlessly, and fit perfectly into a busy lifestyle. My goal was to create a brand that not only offers variety but also emphasizes quality. A strong brand identity is crucial in this industry, and I wanted Paris Panini to reflect that through its name and offerings.
Editor: You mentioned a strategic focus on branding. What advice can you give to aspiring entrepreneurs about building a brand identity?
Nicolas Grossemy: Choose a name that clearly communicates your product—this helps establish a connection with customers right away. It’s also crucial to continuously engage with your audience and keep evolving based on thier feedback. Branding is not just about the name; it’s about delivering a consistent experience.
Editor: Let’s talk about the economics of your business. You’ve mentioned important revenue numbers. Can you walk us through your business model?
Nicolas Grossemy: Sure! We gross about Rs 4 crore monthly, summing up to Rs 50 crore annually. Our costs are structured in a way that maximizes profit: food costs account for 28%, rent 10%, salaries and admin 35%, and marketing 10%. This structure allows us to maintain a healthy profit margin of 15%.Notably, 70% of our sales are generated online, indicating the growing importance of digital channels in the food industry.
Editor: That’s a crucial insight, especially in today’s digital age. Can you elaborate on the challenges you faced while setting up your business in India?
Nicolas Grossemy: One of the biggest challenges was understanding the local market and consumer preferences. India’s food culture is incredibly diverse, so I had to adapt my offerings to cater to local tastes while maintaining my brand identity. Additionally, navigating regulations and establishing supplier relationships took time and patience.
Editor: With the success of Paris Panini,what do you envision for the future? Any plans for expansion?
Nicolas Grossemy: Yes! We’re looking to expand beyond Bengaluru and explore other cities.I also want to enhance our menu by introducing more international flavors and healthy options to cater to the evolving preferences of our customers.
Editor: That sounds exciting! As you reflect on your journey, what advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those from abroad looking to establish themselves in India?
Nicolas Grossemy: Embrace the culture and understand your audience; it’s essential. The Indian market is ripe with opportunities, but success comes with patience and the willingness to adapt. Start small, test your concept, learn, and don’t be afraid of failure—every mistake is a stepping stone to success.
Editor: Thank you, Nicolas, for sharing your journey and insights with us. It’s been a pleasure learning about the story behind Paris Panini and your thoughts on the business landscape in India.
Nicolas Grossemy: Thank you for having me! I hope my story inspires others to pursue their dreams, no matter where they come from.
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This interview provides key insights into your entrepreneurial success story, the importance of branding, and the economics of running a food business in India, tailored for aspiring entrepreneurs and the food industry.