Saravana Bhavan

Hotel Saravana Bhavan is a South Indian restaurant chain, founded in 1981 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.[1] The chain operates 33 locations in India (24 in Chennai) and 78 across 22 countries in North America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Oceania.[2][3]

Hotel Saravana Bhavan
Company typePrivate
IndustryRestaurant
GenreSouthern Indian Cuisine
Founded1981 (1981)
FounderP. Rajagopal
Headquarters
Chennai
,
India
Number of locations
33(in India), 92+(outside India)
Area served
India, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand, UAE, UK, and the U.S.
Key people
P. R. Siva Kumar
R. Saravanan
ProductsFood, Sweets, Bakery, Ice Cream
ServicesFast Food, Take Away, Home Delivery and Outdoor Catering
RevenueIncrease₹29,782.4 million (US$370 million) (2017)
Number of employees
8,700 (in India - 2023)
Websitewww.saravanabhavan.com (Global)

saravanabhavan.co (India) www.saravanabhavanlondon.co.uk (UK) www.saravanaabhavan.us (US) www.saravanabhavan.ca (Canada) www.saravanaabhavan.com.au (Australia)

www.saravanaabhavan.se(Sweden)
The Saravanaa Bhavan restaurant in Edison, New Jersey, U.S., near New York City, is the largest and busiest branch restaurant outside South India.

History

In 1968, P. Rajagopal opened a tiny grocery shop in KK Nagar, on the outskirts of Chennai.[4] In 1981, he opened his first restaurant, which initially operated at a huge loss. However, his restaurant quickly became both popular and profitable.

While visiting Singapore in 1992, Rajagopal observed the functioning of multinational fast food restaurants like McDonald's. He used them as a model for his restaurant chains.[5]

By the 1990s, Saravana Bhavan had opened multiple restaurant locations throughout Chennai. In 2000, Saravana Bhavan opened its first branch outside India, in Dubai, a city with a large number of Indian expatriates.

Currently, Saravana Bhavan has multiple oversees locations which are run by franchisees.[6] While the restaurants have gained popularity among non-Indians, they mostly target the South Asian expatriate population. They have been referred to as "canteen-like joints strictly aimed at Indian expatriates missing a taste of home".[7] To save on labor costs, Saravana Bhavan sends workers from India to work in their foreign branches.[8]

In 2004, founder P Rajagopal was found guilty of the murder of Prince Santhakumar, the husband of a woman who had rejected his marriage proposal.[9]

See also

References
  1. "Founder & Key Personalities". Saravana Bhavan. Archived from the original on 20 January 2007. Retrieved 31 May 2007.
  2. Berry, Rynn; Suzuki, Chris A.; Litsky, Barry (2006). The Vegan Guide to New York City. Ethical Living. p. 27. ISBN 0-9788132-0-0. Retrieved 3 July 2008.
  3. Addison, Bill (30 June 2006). "Diners line up for Saravana dosas". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 3 July 2008.
  4. Romig, Rollo (7 May 2014). "Masala Dosa to Die For". Retrieved 12 April 2019 – via NYTimes.com.
  5. The Hindu, Friday, 21 August 1998
  6. "Saravana Bhavan plans foray into hospitality sector after it strengthens international presence further". economic times. 3 November 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  7. "Coconuts Hong Kong Hot Spot food review of Indian restaurant Saravana Bhavan". Coconuts. 18 November 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  8. Management, Strategic; Asia-Pacific; China; India; America, North. "Indian Restaurant Chains Have Overseas Expansion on Their Menus". Knowledge@Wharton. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  9. "Saravana Bhavan murder: The rise and fall of dosa king Rajagopal". India Today. 10 July 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
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