Fresh and Naturelle to open 30 outlets

Kolkata based Pabrai’s ice-cream parlour chain Fresh and Naturelle is planning to expand its network this year through franchising. The company is known for its unique flavoured ice-creams such as nalen gur (date palm jaggery), paan (betel leaf) and Gandharaj (scented lemon). The company plans to set up 30 more new stores by the end of this fiscal year.

Kunal Pabrai, Partner, Pabrai’s Fresh & Naturelle, said: “Major operations of Fresh and Naturelle are handled through franchising. The company will invest about Rs 3 crore in scaling up production to 12,000 liters, almost six times the present capacity, by early next fiscal.”

A proper training with systems and controls is provided to the franchisee and his staff. Regular operational audit is also done. Area required for a standalone outlet in a high footfall mall or a premium locale is 150-400 sq.ft with an investment of Rs 12-15 lakh. For a kiosk an area of 64 sq. ft is required with an investment of about Rs 8.85 lakh. Fresh and Naturelle currently has 18 outlets spread across Kolkata, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Surat, Jaipur and Siliguri.

Fresh and Naturelle Ice-creams is a unit of K.N.& Co., a partnership firm which is run by Kunal Pabrai and Nishant Pabrai. Both the partners are from a family which has been in the ice-cream business for the last 25 years. Working along with the young duo, Anuvrat Pabrai lends his guidance as chief mentor and advisor. Fresh & Naturelle Ice-creams began commercial operations in October 2008 and is rapidly establishing itself as a premium ice-cream brand in Kolkata, Delhi and major Indian metros.