Chaai Seth, a multi-crore tea business in Delhi, started as a tiffin delivery service in Shillong, India, by Arpit Raj and his friends. The business has outlets across India and a customer base of over 50,000 people.
Chaai Seth, a multi-crore tea business in Delhi, was founded by Arpit Raj and his friends in 2015 while pursuing a BBA in Hospitality. The idea of a ‘chai tapri’ outside a college in Shillong led to the creation of the company. The boys started a tiffin delivery service in their hostel room, catering exclusively to those wanting to snack late at night. They later moved to a flat, where they hired a cook to help them with orders.
Arpit realized that food connects people, and he decided to focus on a food item that could bring people together no matter where they came from. At Chaai Seth, customers could choose from 25 varieties of teas, including guava, butterscotch, pineapple, and more. The company’s success was due to the climate of Shillong, which made people frequent the tapri and saw returns.
As Arpit and his friends graduated in 2018, they faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they were determined to scale the chai tapri idea into a business. They decided to expand the menu and add burgers, biscuits, frankies, sandwiches, pastas, momos, and other snacks to the menu. They wanted to create an experience that people wouldn’t usually get at home, so they decided to serve a range of teas instead of just the traditional one.
Chaai Seth has 27 outlets across India and a customer base of over 50,000 people. The brand witnessed a turnover of Rs 3.5 crore in 2022, with Arpit stating that its main USP has been consistency across orders and outlets. One frequent customer, Chandrakant Panchal, loves the concept of their flavoured tea and the amazing taste of food. Another customer, Parth Sanghavi, loves the ambience of Chaai Seth, describing the taste of both normal kadak chai and kesar ilaichi chai as very good.
Conclusion
In summary, Chaai Seth is a multi-crore tea business that began as a tapri outside a college in Shillong. The founders, Arpit and his friends, focused on providing a unique and delicious experience for customers, focusing on a variety of teas and snacks to cater to different tastes and preferences. With a strong presence in 27 Indian states, Chaai Seth continues to grow and thrive in the Indian market.
