By Saksham Arora Irani Cafe was founded in Pune and is inspired by the nostalgic Irani cafés of old Bombay and Hyderabad. Known for its bun maska, chai, keema pav, berry pulao and classic Irani bakery ambience, the brand has grown in popularity across Maharashtra. As café culture rises and customers look for unique, old-world experiences, many entrepreneurs explore the possibility of opening an Irani Cafe franchise. This article explains the model, investment cost, cost structure, space requirements, expected profits and how to open an Irani Cafe outlet in India.
About the Irani Cafe Brand
Irani Cafe blends heritage with modern dining. Its outlets use vintage décor, wooden furniture, retro tiles, framed photos and a menu full of Irani specialities. The brand is known for quick service, consistent taste and an authentic ambience that stands out from regular cafés. Because of its strong brand identity, franchise partners must maintain quality, décor and operational standards.
Is Irani Cafe a Franchise or Company-Owned Model in India?
Irani Cafe follows a controlled expansion model. It does not openly offer a public franchise like fast-food chains. What the brand generally allows:
- Joint Venture / Partnership Outlets
- Location-Based Collaboration
- Investor-Backed Expansion
These partnerships depend on location viability, investor capability and Irani Cafe’s internal approval. The brand selects investors carefully to maintain authenticity.
Total Irani Cafe Franchise / Partnership Investment Cost in India
Since Irani Cafe outlets are premium, well-designed cafés, the investment is higher than regular tea or snack shops.
Typical investment ranges:
- Standard Irani Cafe Outlet: ₹70 lakh – ₹1.2 crore
- Large Premium Outlet: ₹1.2 crore – ₹2 crore+
Most investors aiming for a typical dine-in setup fall in the ₹70 lakh – ₹1 crore range depending on city and property costs.
Irani Cafe Franchise Cost Breakdown
- Partnership / Brand Fee: ₹10 lakh – ₹20 lakh
- Café Interiors & Vintage-Themed Décor: ₹20 lakh – ₹40 lakh
- Kitchen Setup & Equipment: ₹15 lakh – ₹25 lakh
- Bakery Section Setup (optional): ₹5 lakh – ₹10 lakh
- Furniture & Seating: ₹10 lakh – ₹20 lakh
- POS & Billing System: ₹1 lakh – ₹2 lakh
- Initial Raw Materials & Stock: ₹2 lakh – ₹5 lakh
- Branding & Signage: ₹2 lakh – ₹4 lakh
- Working Capital: ₹5 lakh – ₹10 lakh
- Rental Deposit: depends on city and location
Interior design is the largest cost because Irani Cafe must reflect the original Irani charm.
Space & Location Requirement
Typical space needs:
- Standard Outlet: 1,500 – 2,500 sq ft
- Premium High-Traffic Outlet: 2,500 – 4,000 sq ft
Ideal locations include:
- High streets
- IT parks and corporate zones
- Mall complexes
- College areas
- Prime neighbourhood markets
Irani Cafe outlets require good visibility, exterior ambience and seating capacity.
Profit Margin & ROI for Irani Cafe
Cafés generate income from dine-in meals, bakery items, beverages and takeaway orders.
- Net Profit Margin: 12% – 22%
- Monthly Revenue Potential: ₹8 lakh – ₹20 lakh depending on area
- ROI Timeline: 30 – 42 months
Breakfast, evening snacks and weekend rush hours significantly boost revenue.
Royalty & Ongoing Charges
Partners may have to pay:
- Royalty Fee: typically a percentage of monthly sales
In addition, partners handle: - Rent and utilities
- Staff salaries
- Inventory and raw materials
- Marketing and maintenance
Periodic quality checks ensure the outlet matches the brand’s authentic Irani feel.
Support Provided by Irani Cafe
- Menu and recipe training
- Kitchen setup assistance
- Store design and interiors guidance
- Staff onboarding and service training
- Operational manuals
- Launch marketing support
This ensures uniform taste, ambience and customer experience across outlets.
Who Should Invest in an Irani Cafe Outlet?
- Investors with ₹70 lakh+ budget
- People passionate about cafés and hospitality
- Entrepreneurs interested in vintage-themed dining concepts
- Those targeting metro and tier-1/tier-2 urban markets
This model suits investors looking for a premium, experiential café concept rather than a quick-service format.
Risks & Challenges
- High initial investment
- Dependence on footfall and prime locations
- Staff training needed for consistent service
- Strong competition in café space
- Higher décor and maintenance costs
However, Irani Cafe’s differentiated concept and loyal customer base help maintain steady demand.
How to Partner with Irani Cafe
- Prepare your business profile and financial capability
- Identify and propose a suitable high-visibility location
- Submit partnership interest to Irani Cafe’s business development team
- Brand evaluates location, investment readiness and fit
- On approval, sign partnership/JV agreement
- Begin café interior work and kitchen installation
- Train staff under brand guidelines
- Launch the outlet with brand support
Once opened, the outlet operates under Irani Cafe’s branding and menu.
Conclusion
Irani Cafe does not offer a standard open franchise, but it collaborates with investors through partnerships and joint-venture models. With investment typically between ₹70 lakh and ₹2 crore depending on outlet size and décor, the brand offers a unique and nostalgic dining experience that attracts strong footfall. For entrepreneurs who want a premium café with character and strong brand pull, Irani Cafe presents an appealing long-term business opportunity.