Bhupinder Madaan, a teenage entrepreneur, has harbored a deep passion for the food and beverage industry. Equipped with over 15 years of combined entrepreneurial experience, he embarked on a mission to revolutionize India’s coffee industry.
In 2017, coffee culture was booming in India, but only for a wealthy few. Middle-class folks wanted in on the action, but premium brands like Starbucks were too pricey and kept them away. Bhupinder Madaan, a young serial entrepreneur, saw this gap during a visit to a bar in Delhi and got to work. Hearing his life story, it is clear that Bhupinder always had the mind of an entrepreneur. He was only 14-years-old when he first made money. After school, the Ahmedabad boy would sell pamphlets for shopkeepers and other businessmen for two hours and make Rs 200 every day.
Later, while he was in Class 11-12, he enrolled as an external student in his school. That is, he did not have the compulsion to attend and would only go to school to appear for his exams. While visiting his other house in Delhi, Bhupinder spotted momo thelas or stalls in every nook and corner of the city. Ahmedabad, however, was yet to get the hype. Spotting a gap there, he started a momo stall in the city when he was only 15-years-old. In a span of two years, he had three. Then, he was also approached by a company canteen’s committee to introduce North Indian food, which led him to launch ‘Happy Hours,’ offering parathas for breakfast. He simultaneously ran these two businesses, earning between Rs 3,000 and 4,000 per day.
Later, he dropped out of college. Besides financial constraints at home, Bhupinder felt he was only “wasting my time studying; I made up my mind to never work for anyone,” he adds. He then started freelancing for an IT company on the business development side. He also worked with an app development company. “These two experiences made me realize that I was a good salesperson,” Bhupinder says.
He launched Theka Coffee to bring specialty coffee experiences to everyone, starting with quirky names like Palang Tod and Coffee ki Jawani, sold in beer bottles. The fresh, 100% Arabica coffee, and unique roasting methods made Theka a hit among millennials. Today, Theka has over 55 franchises across India.
Bhupinder’s Theka Coffee pitch got shortlisted to feature on Shark Tank India. It got him plenty of attention, even if he didn’t get the funding. Since then, he’s received partnership offers from top brands like Microsoft and Reliance. Theka is now a go-to hangout spot for coffee lovers.
In this article, Bhupinder Madaan takes us through his entrepreneurial journey, his successes and challenges with Theka Coffee, business insights, and much more.
When asked about what inspired him to start Theka Coffee, Bhupinder explains, “The inspiration is based on my learnings from the bar and club business, where we had a very intriguing presentation of bottles, whereas coffee, which is also an expensive drink, didn’t have that kind of presentation. We thought, why not bring a cool factor into coffee, which is equally expensive.”
Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, Bhupinder emphasizes the importance of self-learning. In a rapidly evolving industry like food and beverages, it is crucial to stay updated and continuously improve oneself. He admits that one of the challenges he faced early on was his lack of financial knowledge. He advises aspiring entrepreneurs to dedicate time to research, seek guidance, and learn from their mistakes.
Bhupinder’s unique approach to competition sets him apart. Instead of focusing on rivals or their strategies, he channels his energy into perfecting his product and ensuring its availability in the best locations. By prioritizing product quality, taste, and affordability, he creates a distinct brand that stands out from the competition.
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To achieve rapid scalability, Bhupinder follows a hub and spoke model with low Capital Expenditure (CapEx) and Operational Expenditure (OpEx). This strategy, commonly employed in the dessert and bakery industries, has allowed Theka Coffee to expand quickly and multiply its presence across India.
In the face of challenges, Bhupinder’s mantra is simple: “never give up”. He advises aspiring entrepreneurs to combine hard work with perseverance, as opportunities can materialize and success can be attained.
Bhupinder Madaan’s journey as an entrepreneur in the food and beverage industry is a testament to his unwavering dedication and innovative thinking. Through Theka Coffee, he has successfully bridged the gap between premium coffee brands and the middle-class market, all while maintaining a focus on product excellence and customer satisfaction. His story serves as an inspiration to young entrepreneurs who dream of making a difference in the industry.
With his innovative approach, Theka Coffee continues to disrupt India’s coffee culture and carve its own unique path. The future looks promising for Bhupinder Madaan and his visionary brand, as they continue to revolutionize the way India enjoys its coffee.
