Brewing success

Brewberrys has made the café culture more accessible to consumers and coffee lovers. In an interview Ronak Kapatel, Director, Brewberrys Hospitality Pvt. Ltd shares the journey of Brewberrys so far and about the future expansion of the company via franchising.

Abha Garyali (AG): How ‘Brewberrys’ came into being and how has been the brand’s entrepreneurial journey so far?

Ronank Kapatel (RK): Brewberrys – The Coffee Bar started its journey from Gujarat in the year 2005. We have customised our cafés as per the local needs to make it work profitably in India. Now we almost have our presence in all the major cities in India, we are in an expansion mode. Starting Brewberrys is more than starting a business venture. It is our passion and we are totally enjoying the hard work.

AG: What motivated you to start Brewberrys? How is it different from other café brands?

RK: Brewberrys started with an idea of having customised offerings all around. Our cultures, traditions and eating habits differ from region to region. Therefore, offering a similar palate was simply not on the cards. Our USP lies in the fact that we do not just provide coffee to our guests but also provide them with lip-smacking cuisine that are cooked in the cafés only. This makes Brewberrys different from other café brands. We also have books and games for our customers to make them spend more time in the café. We understand people do not come to café just to have coffee; rather they come to sit, talk and relax.

AG: When and how Brewberrys came across franchising for expansion? Where do you see the brand in five years down the line?

RK: We started franchising in 2009. The franchising model has enabled us to grow faster. The reason behind having successful partners as our franchisees is our business model. Firstly, it does not require huge investments like other brands seek and at the same time, it offers a sustainable growth over a period. With a five-year horizon, the best we can say is, Brewberrys will not be a new brand to anyone.

AG: What is your take on competition from other brands? What strategies you have planned to handle competition?

RK: We do face tough competition and it is good to have because it keeps us on our toes. In due time, many national and global players would be gearing up to enter Indian café industry. The only thing we focus upon is uniqueness we offer in our guest experience. We always foresee the primitive measures that are to be taken strategically in a planned manner.

AG: How many franchisees do you have presently? What are your future expansion plans?

RK: We have about 50 franchisees. We are on an expansion spree, looking for the right kind of people to collaborate with Brewberrys.

AG: What are the qualities and qualifications that you seek for in your franchisees? How much investment is required by aspiring franchisees?

RK: We are looking for serious people who are passionate for growth and success. We do not just seek investment rather we also seek commitment, and entrepreneurial spirit. Our investment starts from Rs Seven to Rs 40 lakh.

AG: What are the challenges for the franchises and how do you think these can be handled?

RK: Challenges keep on coming from time to time. Sometimes you get a chance to plan strategically and sometimes you just need to improvise. One of the major challenges for us is to get a good location at reasonable commercial rates. The wellbeing of Brewberrys café depends on its favourable location.