In this exclusive Q&A, we talk with Hemant Suri about his experience as a Curry Up Now franchisee.
Franchise Chatter (FC): Welcome, Hemant. Thank you for your time today. Can you give us an idea of your background and why you decided to start franchising?
Hemant Suri (HS): After owning a restaurant in Atlanta, I decided to transition into restaurant franchising. I first invested in Curry Up Now, a fast casual serving innovative takes on Indian street food, because it’s a proven concept and has figured out the system to get it right 100% of the time.
I also chose Curry Up Now because there are over one billion Indians in the world, but no mainstream Indian food restaurant chains, so it is a wide-open segment. There are many successful local Indian restaurants, so I think it’s time for a successful national chain.
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Colin started as a team member at 21 and now owns 6 locations in Tampa Bay. Lisa came from marketing and built 21 in San Diego. The most successful multi-unit owners move early and secure markets with room to grow. Use our free tool to search multiple ZIP codes and find franchises where you can still stack locations, before someone else does.Indian food tastes amazing and Curry Up Now takes authentic flavors and packages them in mainstream ways, like the Tikka Masala Burrito and loaded Sexy Fries, which makes trial easier for people. Once they try the food, they are hooked and start working their way around the rest of our menu.
FC: Tell me about your experience as a Curry Up Now franchisee.
HS: I was an early franchisee, so there were certainly growing pains at first. We opened locations across the country so there were initial supply line and training issues. However, we received tremendous support from the corporate team at Curry Up Now to help iron out the kinks.
Entering new markets or expanding into different territories across the country will always present obstacles of some kind. I highly suggest getting to know the franchisor and establishing a solid communication pipeline so that you can work together to solve any challenges that arise.
FC: In hindsight, is there anything about opening or operating your restaurants that you would do differently if you could do it over again?
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When I owned a UPS Store, I learned firsthand how much your ZIP code shapes your outcome. I sold my store at a premium because my territory was in a high-value area. The best areas go first, and once they're gone, they're gone. Enter your ZIP code to see which franchises are still available near you, saving you months of wasted research.🔴Free Webinar: 6 Under-the-Radar Franchise Concepts That Serious Buyers Should Know
Every month we feature 6 standout franchises that could be the opportunity you've been looking for, each evaluated on disclosed financials and matched to the type of buyer most likely to succeed with it. Can't attend live on October 27 at 6PM EST? Register now and we'll send you the full recording the next day. Reserve your spot here.HS: I would have staffed for higher sales. The restaurants are busy with many first-time customers that are not familiar with the concept or Indian food, so it can take a little longer to move customers through the line. We do not want to hold up customers that already know the concept, so going forward we will put an extra brand ambassador out front helping first time customers explore the menu and find something that they’ll be excited about trying – and returning to try.
FC: What should an investor look for in a franchise opportunity?
HS: My advice to those looking to invest in a franchise would be to look at the sales. If the sales are high, that tells you customers like the concept. If you can keep your profits high enough, you can keep reinvesting your free cash flow into more restaurants and locations. For example, I just signed my fourth lease for Curry Up Now, and I am opening a third location in two weeks.
FC: How has franchising changed your life?
HS: Franchising has allowed me to be financially independent and design the rest of my life the way I want to. I am building a national, multi-brand restaurant franchise company and the sky is the limit. I am appreciative of the opportunities I had while working for someone else, but there is nothing like controlling your own destiny and building wealth for your family and associates.
🎯Find Best-Fit Franchises Still Available in Your Target Area (Free Tool)
When I owned a UPS Store, I learned firsthand how much your ZIP code shapes your outcome. I sold my store at a premium because my territory was in a high-value area. The best areas go first, and once they're gone, they're gone. Enter your ZIP code to see which franchises are still available near you, saving you months of wasted research.📈Dreaming of Multi‑Unit Success? Lock In Prime Territories Before They're Gone.
Colin started as a team member at 21 and now owns 6 locations in Tampa Bay. Lisa came from marketing and built 21 in San Diego. The most successful multi-unit owners move early and secure markets with room to grow. Use our free tool to search multiple ZIP codes and find franchises where you can still stack locations, before someone else does.
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