“I was just 19 when I decided to follow my passions-Food and Technology. At that age, I knew these were the two things that truly excited me. I didn’t know where it would lead, but I was sure of one thing: I wanted to create something big. That’s when I started selling churros on the street, right outside schools and colleges.
It was a small idea, but I believed it could grow into something as big as Krispy Kreme or Dunkin’ Donuts. After six or seven months of street sales, we took our first step into a small shop in Madhapur. It was cramped, with just four or five tables, but people kept coming. That success led us to a bigger space, and that’s when things really started to take off. Every week, we kept breaking our own records. The growth continued, and eventually, we built one of the largest central kitchens in South India, enabling us to scale even further.
I come from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, where both my parents are doctors. While I wasn’t interested in following their path, I’ve always dreamed of giving back to society. My long term goal is to run hospitals that offer free care to those who can’t afford it. To make that possible, I aim to use the profits from Churrolto and my tech venture to support that vision.
In the eight and a half years since we started, I’ve learned a lot. There’s a saying in the business world: for every good day, there are ten bad ones. But if you stay focused on your vision and keep pushing forward, those tough days become just another part of the journey. Our vision is simple: ‘feeding a billion.’ My team and I are committed to this mission, and we won’t stop until we achieve it.
At Churrolto, we’ve always done things differently. Every item on the menu has a ‘Churoltto twist,’ a unique take on familiar flavors that you won’t find anywhere else. I want people to crave our food, knowing that they can only get it here.
Building a strong culture is just as important as the food itself. From day one, I’ve made sure our staff treats every customer like family, with respect and warmth-just like you would treat your mother at the table. This respect for customers has been a cornerstone of our success and is something I’m proud to see instilled in every member of the team.
When I first started, I didn’t think of myself as particularly smart, but that ended up being an advantage. I jumped into the business without overthinking it-like someone diving into a pool without knowing how to swim. Smart people tend to analyze risks so much that they miss out on great opportunities. I’ve always believed in just going for it and figuring it out as I go.
Each milestone has been a learning experience. We started with our first location in 2016, and over the years, we’ve expanded with new locations and a state-of-the-art central kitchen in 2020. This growth has been driven by our mission and our commitment to bringing something different to the table.
My family, and my team have been a huge part of this journey. Their support has been my foundation, and together, we’re pushing towards bigger goals.
In my journey so far, I have realised that entrepreneurship isn’t just about being inspired once in a while or feeling passionate from time to time. It’s about resilience, the willingness to solve endless problems, and the grit to keep moving forward.”
- Neehar Bisabathini, Founder, Churrolto