By Saksham Arora The Sankalp is one of India’s most established South Indian restaurant brands. Founded in 1980 in Ahmedabad, Sankalp started as a small family-run outlet and gradually grew into a nationwide and international chain. The brand is especially known for its extensive dosa varieties, authentic South Indian flavors, and vegetarian-only positioning. With decades of brand trust and a loyal customer base, many investors explore the Sankalp franchise cost when planning a full-service restaurant business in India.
About the Sankalp Brand
Sankalp operates in the casual dining restaurant (CDR) segment. Its menu includes a wide range of dosas, idlis, uttapams, vadas, South Indian curries, rice dishes, and traditional desserts. The brand’s biggest strength is menu variety combined with standardized taste. Sankalp restaurants are designed for families, office groups, and repeat dining rather than quick takeaway alone, although delivery also contributes significantly to revenue today.
Is Sankalp a Franchise Model?
Yes. Sankalp follows a structured franchise-based expansion model. Unlike many QSR brands, Sankalp focuses on medium to large dine-in restaurants and selects franchise partners carefully. The brand provides recipes, kitchen systems, training, branding, and ongoing operational support, while the franchise partner manages daily operations and local staffing.
Sankalp Franchise Cost in India
Sankalp is a mid to high-investment restaurant franchise.
The total investment typically ranges between ₹60 lakh and ₹1.2 crore, depending on the city, restaurant size, and rental cost. Prime metro locations and large-format family restaurants usually fall toward the higher end.
Detailed Cost Breakdown
- Franchise / Brand Fee: ₹8 lakh – ₹15 lakh (one-time).
- Restaurant Interiors & Fit-Out: ₹20 lakh – ₹40 lakh, including dining furniture, décor, lighting, washrooms, and branding.
- Kitchen Equipment & Setup: ₹18 lakh – ₹30 lakh, covering dosa counters, steamers, grinders, refrigeration, exhaust systems, and storage.
- Initial Inventory & Raw Materials: ₹4 lakh – ₹8 lakh, including rice, lentils, spices, oils, packaging, and disposables.
- Licenses & Pre-Opening Expenses: ₹2 lakh – ₹4 lakh (FSSAI, fire safety, GST, local permissions, launch marketing).
- Working Capital: ₹8 lakh – ₹20 lakh for rent, staff salaries, utilities, and operational buffer during initial months.
Space and Location Requirement
Sankalp restaurants require large, customer-friendly spaces.
Typical space requirement ranges from 1,800 to 3,500 sq ft.
Preferred locations include high streets, commercial areas, malls, highways, and dense residential zones. Good parking access and family-friendly surroundings significantly improve performance.
Royalty and Ongoing Charges
Sankalp generally charges a royalty of around 6% to 8% of monthly gross sales. Some agreements may also include a marketing or technology support fee. Certain ingredients and preparation processes are standardized and sourced through brand-approved channels to maintain consistency across outlets.
Profit Margin and Earnings Potential
South Indian vegetarian restaurants benefit from low food cost and strong repeat dining.
Typical performance benchmarks include:
- Gross margin: 60% – 65%
- Net profit margin: 15% – 22% after expenses
A well-performing Sankalp outlet can achieve:
- Monthly revenue: ₹25 lakh – ₹60 lakh
- Monthly net profit: ₹4 lakh – ₹12 lakh
Break-even is generally achieved within 24 to 36 months, depending on rent, city, and operational efficiency.
Support Provided by Sankalp
Franchise partners receive strong support including chef and staff training, standardized recipes, kitchen workflow planning, store design guidance, POS integration, vendor sourcing, and brand-level marketing. Regular audits ensure hygiene, service quality, and taste consistency.
Who Should Invest in a Sankalp Franchise?
This franchise is suitable for:
- Experienced restaurant operators
- Business families with ₹60 lakh+ capital
- Investors targeting family dining and vegetarian markets
- Entrepreneurs willing to manage large teams and daily operations
It is not ideal for small investors or those seeking a low-cost, kiosk-style food business.
Risks and Challenges
High initial investment, skilled staff dependency, rental pressure in prime locations, and competition from local South Indian restaurants are the main challenges. Consistency in service speed and taste is critical for long-term success.
How to Apply for a Sankalp Franchise
- Identify a suitable large-format restaurant location
- Prepare investment capacity and business profile
- Submit franchise inquiry
- Location feasibility and approval
- Commercial and legal discussions
- Agreement signing
- Restaurant setup and kitchen installation
- Staff recruitment and training
- Soft launch and full opening
Conclusion
Sankalp is a heritage-driven, family-focused South Indian restaurant franchise with strong nationwide recognition. With an investment range of ₹60 lakh to ₹1.2 crore, it offers stable demand, high repeat customers, and long-term brand value rather than quick returns. For investors who can manage scale, quality, and operations, a Sankalp restaurant can become a dependable and respected dining business in India.