Shiju Pappen's entrepreneurial journey, from earning just Rs 5,000 a month as a restaurant worker to leading a thriving cafe chain with 50 outlets across India, is a story of determination and inspiration for many. Once cleaning tables and washing dishes at Pizza Hut, Pappen is now the founder of The Chatpata Affairs, a food venture that celebrates India’s vibrant vegetarian street food culture.
Founded in 2020, just before the pandemic reshaped the business landscape, The Chatpata Affairs offers a diverse menu of nearly 200 items, ranging from the traditional litti chokha of Bihar to the chaat of North India. With a bold vision to elevate Indian street food to global recognition, Pappen aspires to make these dishes as iconic as burgers and pizzas. Today, his business generates an impressive Rs 8 crore in annual revenue.
Growing up in a small town in Rajasthan, Pappen faced significant challenges after losing both parents at a young age. This adversity fueled his determination to build a better life, prompting his move to Delhi in 1997, where he took on various roles at Pizza Hut, from cleaning to serving.
“I was earning only Rs. 5000-6000 per month for almost a year straight. It was tough to manage rent, electricity and food. However, I had no option but to manage with whatever I was earning,” Pappen told Startuppedia in an interview.
With over two decades of experience in the fast-food industry, including a significant tenure as CEO of Southern Fried Chicken, Pappen recognised a considerable gap in the market: the lack of representation for Indian street food. Driven to share authentic flavours with a broader audience, he launched The Chatpata Affairs.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented formidable challenges, particularly rising rental costs. To sustain his business, Pappen innovatively shifted to a mobile cart model. Starting with a limited menu, he has successfully expanded to 50 outlets nationwide, with key locations in Bengaluru, Chennai, Gurgaon, and Hyderabad.
As a bootstrapped venture, their primary focus is on a franchise model. Currently, 40 of the 50 outlets operate as franchises, while 10 are company-owned. Each outlet occupies approximately 200 square feet and requires an investment of Rs 5-6 lakh, generating monthly profits of Rs 60,000 to Rs 70,000.
After a slow start, with an initial monthly revenue of just Rs 2 lakh from two outlets, Pappen's business began to thrive. By FY23, they reported revenues of Rs 6 crore, which surged to Rs 8 crore in FY24. The founder now aims to reach 100 outlets by March 2025 and 500 by 2027, projecting annual revenue of Rs 1,000 crore.
Looking ahead, Pappen is exploring potential expansions into the Middle East and Europe. The Bengaluru-based venture currently employs 200 staff members.