From Rs 18 a Month to Rs 300 Crore: The Remarkable Journey of Dosa King Jayaram Banan
Banan’s story began with a humble job washing dishes in a Mumbai canteen for a meager Rs 18 per month. Fast forward to today, and he’s the mastermind behind the Sagar Ratna restaurant chain, which boasts an annual turnover of Rs 300 crore.
Growing up as one of seven children in a troubled household, Banan faced the wrath of a father who would punish him harshly, even going so far as to put chili powder in his eyes for failing in school. At just 13, Banan made a bold decision — he took some money from his father's wallet and ran away from home, boarding a bus to Mumbai.
His journey could have taken a different turn, but a chance encounter with a fellow villager from Udupi led him to his first job at the Hindustan Organic Chemicals (HOC) canteen in Navi Mumbai. It was here, earning just Rs 18 a month, that he began his lifelong love affair with food.
As Udupi natives introduced the now-iconic masala dosa to Mumbai, Banan saw an opportunity. “They brought dosas to Mumbai, eventually making masala dosa India’s No. 1 dish,” he recalls.
In 2001, he expanded his vision, opening Swagath, a restaurant known for its authentic seafood. Today, Banan’s empire includes 90 outlets across North India, including Sagar Ratna, Swagath, and Shraman, with the business clocking an impressive 20-25% profit every year.
From washing dishes to becoming the Dosa King, Jayaram Banan's story is a testament to resilience, hard work, and the pursuit of passion.
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