Indian take-away chain in Joburg

[Velenoso]

Hey guys, so I'm up for a new venture. Been chatting with a friend, he reckons that there is a gap in the market for good quality, good service Indian food take-aways in South Africa and specifically Johannesburg.

What do you guys think? If you don't mind, I'd like answers to the following:

1. How popular is Indian food in SA? I don't really enjoy it, so... Wouldn't know.
2. Would a lunch time full service (delivery to offices, etc) be better than marketing to the "off the street" customer and staying open late to cater for dinner?

The business model would be: kick-ass branding, marketing, website, online ordering, etc, not the cheap crap you get in current Indian food takeaways. Branded scooters for quick delivery to offices at lunchtime, etc. Authentic and affordable food, get chef's from Durban, etc.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Haldex]

Are you Indian?

 

[Twista]

lol

 

[azbob]

You don't even enjoy it but want it to be your business? Odd.

 

[Velenoso]

No, I'm not. I'm a foreigner actually, what's it got to do with it anyway?

 

[Velenoso]

You don't even enjoy it but want it to be your business? Odd.

I do a business to make money, don't necessarily need to use the product myself, right?

 

[OMB]

as in a franchise?

I find Indian restaurants are a hit and miss affair between good and shyte, but if you find a good one then it becomes very popular and does a roaring trade, Ghazal in Bryanston springs to mind as an example.

If you can get a really $h!t hot menu (no pun intended) of good quality curries, naan, samoosas, bunny's etc. with speedy delivery you may be on to something

 

[Velenoso]

as in a franchise?

I find Indian restaurants are a hit and miss affair between good and shyte, but if you find a good one then it becomes very popular and does a roaring trade, Ghazal in Bryanston springs to mind as an example.

If you can get a really $h!t hot menu (no pun intended) of good quality curries, naan, samoosas, bunny's etc. with speedy delivery you may be on to something

Thanks, first real response of the evening. Thought I posted in a kiddies forum for a minute. ;-)

 

[Haldex]

No, I'm not. I'm a foreigner actually, what's it got to do with it anyway?

Nationality? Your nics Italianish.

Expected clientele?
Indians generally won't buy Indian food from a non Indian.

Will it be north Indian? South Indian?
Will it be halaal?

Have you tried Akalwayas(sp)? There's a Durban franchise that IMO is crap lol. Called coconut grove. Have you tried it? What about Copper Chimney? Have you been to fordsburg?

Just curious.
There's a bigger gap in the take away market in SA, massive gap actually.

Good luck.

 

[azbob]

I do a business to make money, don't necessarily need to use the product myself, right?

Yeah but as with any business, you need to know your product.

 

[koeksGHT]

Mmm I love Indian food(you made me hungry), kinda like a indian debonairs? Haha

Not sure what the market is but if it is good and decently priced it sounds good.

 

[DigitalSoldier]

I think you are on to something here. There is definitely a gap for this in the market. The food served also don't have to be great, just look at the success debonairs is.

 

[murraybiscuit]

oh boy. please don't let famous brands get hold of indian food.
i can just imagine cream cheese filled naan breads and cheese griller samoosas...

 

[Mars]

I have often driven around the east rand looking for a decent Indian takeaway.

The Indian restaurant in Bedford Centre is not great imo. Not bad really, but not great.


Personally I think the food industry is not a great industry to be in. Long hours, high staff compliment (which is a real problem) and relatively low turnover. The only thing it has going for it is the low cost. The only way you can really boost the turnover is to be in a shopping centre like eastgate and even that seems to be hit and miss now days. Mix that with the challenge involved in consistently producing quality Indian food and I think its just not worth the effort.

 

[Mier]

oh boy. please don't let famous brands get hold of indian food.
i can just imagine cream cheese filled naan breads and cheese griller samoosas...

lol

 

[SmartKit]

Question is can you out price mom and pop (or aunty and uncle ) stores and provide the same authenticity?

Most of the successful places are small, hidden takeaways run by former Durbanites. Mind you, I find all the best cuisine is in Sparks Road, so I'm happy with that situation.

And yes, I will judge you by the quality of you dal chicken and mutton biryani for Friday lunch.

 

[Polymathic]

Thought about it it's just to complicated to undertake, keeping the quality of food and taste of dishes standard in every outlet will be near on impossible. I thought about it a lot the only real option for an Indian Franchise will have is serving stuff like parathas, masala dosa and tandoori style dishes.

 

[SmartKit]

Thought about it it's just to complicated to undertake, keeping the quality of food and taste of dishes standard in every outlet will be near on impossible. I thought about it a lot the only real option for an Indian Franchise will have is serving stuff like parathas, masala dosa and tandoori style dishes.

Unless the majority of pastes and cook in sauces are prepared centrally?

 

[D3x!]

I have often driven around the east rand looking for a decent Indian takeaway.

The Indian restaurant in Bedford Centre is not great imo. Not bad really, but not great.


Personally I think the food industry is not a great industry to be in. Long hours, high staff compliment (which is a real problem) and relatively low turnover. The only thing it has going for it is the low cost. The only way you can really boost the turnover is to be in a shopping centre like eastgate and even that seems to be hit and miss now days. Mix that with the challenge involved in consistently producing quality Indian food and I think its just not worth the effort.

you been to classic india in boksburg, fantastic imo

 

[Polymathic]

Here's a question for the non-indians. Have you eaten any of he following
deep fried Aubergines
deep fried green banana
jack fruit (have you heard of jackfruit?
sev and nuts,
pickled Chilis,
green mango and chili powder
mint chutney
I know i'm missing a lot of other local delicacies.