'Transit Retail Will be a Key Area of Focus for Chalu Chinese'

Along with its sister brands Chalu Aapna Desi Chinese is redefining the transit retail space by tapping into the growing demand for quick yet quality food options in bustling, transit-heavy locations

- Sandeep Kumar

Leveraging a strategic transit retail model, Bhopal-based food and beverage company Chalu Aapna Desi Chinese has established a strong presence in high-traffic locations like metro stations, where it meets the needs of busy commuters and travellers.

Founded in 2020, Chalu Chinese is now present in 11 states and 27 cities, boasting over 250 outlets, making it the only Indo-Chinese brand to achieve such rapid expansion without external funding. With sister brands like Wh-eat Burger and The Indian Momo Co., Chalu Aapna Desi Chinese is redefining the transit retail space by tapping into the growing demand for quick yet quality food options in bustling, transit-heavy locations.

The company clocked a revenue of *53 crore in the financial year (FY) 2023-2024 and plans to close this FY with a turnover of *90 crore.

What motivated your brand to invest in transit retail spaces (metro stations), and how has the experience been so far?

Our brand's core belief is to reach customers wherever they are, and transit hubs like airports and metro stations offer the ideal setting. These high-traffic areas guarantee consistent visibility and connect us with a wideranging customer base, from daily commuters to global travellers.

The experience so far has been highly rewarding, as it challenges us to continuously innovate in speed, convenience, and product offerings.

How has consumer behaviour in transit retail evolved in recent years?