Creating the ‘BUZZ’

What began in 2001 as the maiden venture to change the party scene in Delhi has now evolved as one of the best party places in the capital. The brainchild of Vyoum Ghai, and Gagan Kapur, Directors, Buzz have brought the brand on another level since its inception. Here’s how it all began

Creating the ‘BUZZ’

What began in 2001 as the maiden venture to change the party scene in Delhi has now evolved as one of the best party places in the capital. The brainchild of Vyoum Ghai, Director, Buzz has brought the brand on another level since its inception. Here’s how it all began….

Neha Gohil (NG): Shed some light on your entrepreneurial journey.

Vyoum Ghai (VG): My entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage industry started about 20 years back. After completing my masters in business administration from the United States, I returned to India and got into banqueting, catering and restaurant business. I am also actively involved with National Restaurant Association of India. Current successful brands from our brand umbrella include Panchshila Rendezvous banquets and catering, Buzz Restaurant and Bar- at Saket and Dlf Gurgaon, Suribachi (Oriental Restaurant & Bar), Café Rendezvous (Multi Cuisine Restaurant & Bar) and we also operate Food Court outlets like China Gate and Dhampur ki Chaat.

NG: Describe about Buzz and tell us about its USP?

VG: Before the year 2001, Delhi had no place where all the three essentials..... great food, great entertainment and great clubbing could be experienced under one roof without having to go from place to place. In those desolate times Buzz was born. The first such experience which combined the three essentials to make one whole is Buzz. It was this uniqueness which made Buzz, a cult and completely changed the way Delhi partied.

NG: When and what motivated you to expand via franchising?

VG: Our vision at Buzz is to make it a pan India brand in the next five years; the reasons motivating us in that direction are 

• Buzz has already demonstrated its success potential in the last 10 years of its existence at both its locations.
• We noted that all F&B brands which are expanding in India as a chain are either QSR formats or casual diners and that none are expanding the clubbing cum dining format. Therefore, there is a huge expansion potential in this segment all across the country.
• Last but not the least, we found that franchising is a tool which can most effectively and efficiently help us achieve this objective as it blends the strengths of both the franchisor and the franchisee to bring out a sure shot recipe of entrepreneurial success for both.

NG: What kind of location are you looking for expansion in India?

VG: In addition to Tier I cities, we are keenly looking at Tier II cities in India as they may have a more conducive commercial environment plus the social demographics and permissibility in these cities have significantly evolved and changed in the last 10 years thus making them a right choice for Buzz and vice-versa. We are looking at both high street and malls as outlets, but the location needs to be safe, neat and clean, could be on ground or first floor and should have adequate parking facility.

NG: Where all are you present in the country and how many franchisees do you have at present?

VG: At present, Buzz has two successfully running outlets of its own in Delhi NCR region. None of the outlets are franchised presently.

NG: What are your requisites in terms of skills, area and investment?

VG: The franchisee is required to have an ability to invest approximately Rs 1.5 crore depending upon the city, location and commercials. The area required is 3,000 sq. ft approximately. The franchisee need not be F&B skilled but an individual with a positive attitude and good social standing and a compatible strategic bend is welcomed.

NG: What kind of training and support do you offer to a franchisee?

VG: Besides detailed operations manual, we offer our hands on support in the form of regular evaluations, audits, training and development in the required areas to the franchisee outlet.

NG: What are the challenges that a franchisee faces in this business? How can they overcome these challenges?

VG: Like any other business there are challenges with this too like... staff attrition, security, quality consistency to name a few, but with the constant back up support of the franchisor these can be overcome easily.

NG: What can you say about the future in the field? Is the section promising for entrepreneurs?

VG: Yes, it certainly is a promising sector for entrepreneurs due to the sociological and economic changes which have rapidly occurred all across the country due to which people are willing to spend a lot more on entertainment and life style than ever before. As the saying goes 'One life to live, so make the best of it', India has awakened to this and there is nothing changing that!