Food-tech startup House of Biryan (HoB) has raised ₹32 crore in a growth round led by marquee investors. The round included legendary cricketer MS Dhoni, strategic investor Bestvantage Investments, and participation from Mohit Goyal (ex-CVC Capital), Abhineet Singh (Al Siraj Holdings), along with seasoned industry veterans from SoftBank, Kedara, and APAX.
This new funding marks a bold step for HoB as it looks to scale rapidly and establish itself as the global leader in biryani-based personalized dining.
The Founders and Their Vision
House of Biryan was founded by chefs Mohammed Bhol and Mikhail Shahani, who together bring over 25 years of Michelin-starred culinary expertise. Both founders share a deep passion for Indian food, and they saw biryani as a dish with immense global potential.
Biryani, one of India’s most loved dishes, already enjoys cult status across the country. However, Bhol and Shahani noticed that despite its popularity, no brand had yet captured the opportunity to standardize biryani into a scalable global quick-service format.
Their vision is clear: “Build the Chipotle of Biryani”. Just like Chipotle redefined Mexican food for the world, HoB wants to redefine biryani for Indian and global audiences by offering personalized bowls, consistent quality, and an elevated dining experience.
How House of Biryan Operates
House of Biryan runs on a cloud-kitchen-first model while also expanding into high-footfall dine-in outlets. Currently, the company operates 22 kitchens across India, with a mix of online delivery focus and select offline presence.
Each HoB outlet focuses on personalized bowls of biryani that allow customers to choose from different flavors, portion sizes, and accompaniments. The brand combines culinary expertise, technology, and supply chain efficiency to maintain quality at scale.
Their operations emphasize:
- High efficiency in kitchens to ensure consistent taste and freshness.
- Tech-enabled ordering and personalization to improve the customer experience.
- Ingredient sourcing and quality control to maintain premium standards.
The Latest Funding Round
House of Biryan’s growth round brought in ₹32 crore in fresh capital. MS Dhoni’s entry as an investor not only strengthens financial resources but also brings brand credibility and mass appeal.
Along with him, Bestvantage Investments contributed as a strategic partner, while other individual investors such as Mohit Goyal and Abhineet Singh added strong industry experience. Senior professionals from global funds like SoftBank, Kedara, and APAX also participated, adding depth to HoB’s investor pool.
This diverse investor group gives HoB not just money, but also mentorship, global networks, and operational insights.
Use of Funds
The founders Mohammed Bhol and Mikhail Shahani have clear plans for the new funds:
- Expand into Tier-1 Cities
HoB currently operates in select urban centers but plans to deepen its footprint in Tier-1 Indian cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad. - Scale Kitchens and Outlets
HoB wants to grow from 22 kitchens today to 120–150 outlets over the next three years. This scale-up will include both cloud kitchens and physical outlets. - Invest in Brand and Technology
The company plans to strengthen digital ordering platforms, personalization features, and loyalty programs. Brand-building activities will focus on positioning HoB as the authentic yet modern face of biryani worldwide. - Strengthen Supply Chain and Talent
HoB aims to invest in sourcing, storage, and logistics to ensure consistent quality across outlets. The team will also hire talent across culinary, operations, and marketing to support rapid scaling.
Founders’ Statement
Announcing the funding, co-founders Mohammed Bhol and Mikhail Shahani said:
“With the support of our marquee investors, we are building the Chipotle of Biryani, delivering personalized bowls of biryani across the world. This round fuels our ambition to scale from 22 kitchens today to 120–150 outlets over the next three years, targeting revenues of ₹450–550 crore.”
Their statement reflects both ambition and confidence in HoB’s ability to capture the biryani market at scale.
Market Opportunity
The biryani market in India alone is enormous. Online food delivery platforms often report biryani as the most ordered dish in the country, cutting across regions and age groups.
Analysts estimate India’s biryani market at over $2 billion annually, with steady growth as urbanization, rising incomes, and online ordering continue to increase. Globally, Indian cuisine enjoys rising popularity, and biryani’s universal appeal positions it as a strong export product.
House of Biryan plans to capitalize on this market trend by creating a brand that matches international QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) standards while celebrating the authenticity of Indian cuisine.
Why HoB Stands Out
Several startups and restaurant chains sell biryani. However, HoB differentiates itself in three clear ways:
- Culinary Credibility
With two Michelin-starred chefs at the helm, HoB focuses on taste, authenticity, and innovation in every bowl. - Scalable Format
The company uses a personalized bowl format with efficient operations. This format allows for consistency across kitchens and is easy to scale both in India and abroad. - Tech + Food Integration
HoB leverages food-tech solutions to personalize customer orders, improve delivery times, and maintain quality. This blend of food and technology helps the company stand out in a crowded space.
Financial Goals
HoB targets revenues of ₹450–550 crore within three years. With 120–150 outlets planned, the company expects strong sales momentum.
The focus on Tier-1 cities will create brand visibility and repeat ordering patterns. Once established, HoB can expand into Tier-2 cities and international markets.
By keeping operations efficient and scaling smartly, HoB aims to balance growth with profitability.
The Role of MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni’s participation in this funding round carries huge symbolic and practical value. As one of India’s most respected sports icons, Dhoni represents trust, discipline, and reliability. His involvement will draw attention to HoB and help it connect with millions of potential customers.
For a consumer brand, this kind of celebrity endorsement through investment strengthens credibility and accelerates awareness. Dhoni’s presence could also support future marketing campaigns and collaborations.
Challenges Ahead
While HoB’s growth story looks strong, challenges remain:
- Execution at Scale: Expanding from 22 to 150 outlets requires strong processes and leadership.
- Competition: The Indian food-tech space is crowded, with both established chains and new startups chasing the same consumers.
- Consistency: Maintaining taste, service quality, and brand promise across multiple outlets will be critical.
- Global Expansion Risks: Taking biryani to the world means adapting to new consumer habits, supply chains, and regulatory frameworks.
The founders recognize these challenges and plan to address them through a mix of culinary leadership, tech-driven processes, and disciplined execution.
Conclusion
House of Biryan has made a bold move with its ₹32 crore growth round. With support from investors like MS Dhoni, Bestvantage Investments, and industry veterans, the company now has both capital and credibility.
The founders Mohammed Bhol and Mikhail Shahani bring unmatched culinary expertise, and their vision to build the “Chipotle of Biryani” positions HoB as a unique player in the food-tech industry.
By expanding from 22 kitchens to 120–150 outlets in three years, HoB aims to capture India’s love for biryani and take it to the world. With a revenue target of ₹450–550 crore, the brand now enters its most important growth phase.
If the team executes well, House of Biryan could become the first global biryani chain, redefining Indian food on the international stage.
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