New Delhi: Shiju Pappen’s journey of entrepreneurship is one of tenacity and keen observation; it started when he worked as a server and cleaner at Pizza Hut and finished with him operating a network of cafés that generates Rs 8 crore in revenue annually. Pappen, the creator of The Chatpata Affairs, a restaurant that honors India’s vegetarian street food heritage, used to earn between Rs 5000 and Rs 6000 a month, but now he runs a chain of cafes with 50 locations throughout the country. Many people find encouragement in Pappen’s entrepreneurial journey to pursue their dreams and open their minds.
Early life and hardship
Growing up in a small Rajasthani town following the early loss of both of his parents, Pappen had numerous challenges. In order to make ends meet, Pappen moved to Delhi in 1997. He worked at Pizza Hut in a number of jobs, such as serving and cleaning.
For nearly a year in a row, I was only making between Rs. 5000 and Rs. 6000 a month. Managing food, energy, and rent was difficult. But I was forced to make do with what I was making,” Pappen said in an interview with Startuppedia.
The Chatpata Affairs’s debut
Despite his low salary and difficulties covering daily costs, Pappen remained unstoppable. For twenty years, he continued to work in the fast-food industry. Pappen made the decision to launch his own business after gaining experience, which included a notable stint as CEO of Southern Fried Chicken. He identified a crucial market gap—the underrepresentation of Indian street food—by performing market research. His desire to promote Indian street cuisine led to the founding of The Chatpata Affairs.
In 2020, Pappen established The Chatpata Affairs. He ingeniously adopted a mobile cart concept to assist his business, first offering a more limited range of goods. Because of his unwavering diligence, Pappen’s company saw significant expansion over time. His business has already expanded to 50 locations nationwide, with significant hubs in Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Gurgaon. The chain of cafés brings in around Rs 8 crore a year.
Pappen’s The Chatpata Affairs offers over 200 dishes, ranging from the traditional litti chokha of Bihar to the decadent chaat of North India. The vision of Pappen is bold. He intends to compete with global favorites like pizza and burgers by offering Indian street food. He stressed in the interview that “chaat and samosas should be as popular as burgers and pizzas.”