We Are Bringing Fancy And Premium Items To Common People: Akash KB

Lassi Bistro, one of India's trendiest chain of Lassi, ice cream and milkshake brand is on an expansion spree. Started off from Bengaluru a year back, it is now a huge hit in South India and has given so many franchisees across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chennai, and Kerala.

It aims to open up over 100 outlets in the next 2 years across India. It serves a wide variety of LASSI, Desserts, Signature Thick Shakes, Mojitos, Crushers etc. 

In conversation with Franchise India, Akash KB, Founder, Lassi Bistro, talks about the evolution and challenges in the F&B industry.

Evolution

There was a time when items like Ferrero Rocher and Belgium chocolate were not readily available. Only children from well of families were able to get them at high prices.

What lassi shops and these kinds of businesses are doing is that they are bringing these kinds of items to common people. Nowadays every college going kid loves to hang out at these places. Even parents like to come with their kids and loves to have these kinds of fancy items at affordable prices.

 Akash said, “We underestimate the family and the residential crowd. So we bought these items for common people. So people without any hassles can come and grab a cup of Ferrero Rocher milkshake. The name is lassi but 80% of the menu is of ice creams and milkshakes domain.”

Converting the obstacle into an opportunity

In south India, you can witness various shops naming lassi corner, lassi n café, etc at every nook and corner. But, people don’t actually consider it a regular lassi shop because only 5% of the menu is lassi, rest all consists of ice creams and milkshakes domain.

It all started two years back, when the first person who started a lassi shop, created the brand. Everyone is just following his path.

“This is actually an advantage to us as North Indians don’t know this fact yet. Once we open a shop in Delhi or Haryana and students start coming over, they will know about the range of ice creams and milkshakes along with lassi. We also offer lassis in various flavors like blueberry lassi etc. So we love this fact that people think it’s a regular lassi shop.” commented Akash.

The Major Obstacle

Since the concept is new to the northern part of the country, as the consumers can easily mistake it as a regular lassi shop. Awareness about their brand concept is the major obstacle surfacing the success of Lassi Bistro in the northern part of the country.

“I think it is a challenge because somehow we have to make them know that it is not a regular lassi thing. But I think after opening 3-4 outlets we will be able to make them aware about our brand and its offerings. I’m glad that other lassi shops from south India have yet not conquered here, we are the first one. So, we are hopeful to make our mark here.” stated Akash.

USP is the key

Lassi Bistro is cashing in their variety in the menu, amazing taste, ultimate interiors within just 9 lakhs. They are operating on a fixed royalty of INR 10000 which is negotiable.

“Since our only motive is to spread across India and increase the brand value, we are not concentrating on the profit margins as of now. Since we are a startup, we are offering great discounts.” said, Akash.