Thinking of moving to India
 

If I wanted to open a fish and chip shop in India, would the business work?

would fish/chips/burgers/pizza's be something that would sell in India?

do they have chip shops there? i know they have mc donalds, but they sell fries dont they. Not traditional British chips, with battered fish.

would it be expensive setting up a take away/fast food shop in Gujarat say? i heard Gujarat is a cheap place.

Is there health+ safety, food hygiene certificates etc that I will need in order to get started?

any help appreciated.

Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

If you are British then no; setting up a business for a foreigner is very difficult. Look at the Goa side of this site and read about the difficulties.

There are a large number of Gujurati people living in UK, I would think some one would have done it before if it were possible.

There are plentiful pizza and burger bars already in all large Indian cities.

Traditional fish and chips, yes, there might be a market in cities such as Mumbai and [U]Pune [/U Chennai]where the local people have travelled to UK and sampled it. (I know my rels. particularly the children love fish and chips when they visit UK and ask parents to make it when they get home to India ). (Don'tknow about Delhi).

How to have those massive vats of oil in a hot climate would be something to think about!

I think the best you would be able to do is to act as an adviser to an Indian chef/restaurant willing to try this out.

Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

I know a british indian, who said he could apply for an NRI, im not sure how these things work, but if he became an NRI, and opened the business in his name, with my money, (I do trust him), can NRI's who are british born, open businesses?

are they hygiene authorities etc that i/he would need to register out business with? where can i do more research on this?

in england we have loads of pizza/burger places too, they all are thriving, becasue each one has a slight different taste to their food, im sure it would work in India even if there was a little competition. But i understand where your coming from. thanks buddy

Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

Adrian I really think you are being naive, I presume you are referring to a

British person of Indian origin, who can apply for a long term visa or PIO

card. Look it up! Legally an NRI is an Indian passport holder who is not

living in India, although the word is used loosely to apply to PIOs.

Have you done any research on visas for yourself?

Have you even been to India?

You first need to do research on these things.

The legalities, tax etc. so much to research. Go to India spend time there.

Contact other foreigners who have started a business. As I said look at the

Goa part of the Forum.


Pizza and Burgers are not food that the average Indian eats except in tourist

areas and the middle class areas of large cities. So there is no need for

many different tastes. How can you possibly be sure it would work in India?

If you are a young unemployed person seeking to start a business;

(as a mother) I would say stick to a country you know, and don't part with

your money to anyone else.

Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

yes I am young, and I just want to make some money, my friends tell me the economy in India, and china are booming, hence I would like to do what I have mentioned, doesnt mean I am gona do it. Im thinking about it.

Well I have not researched all this NRI, PIO stuff, my mate was telling me, because his father was born in INDIA, he could become an NRI. So are you saying he cant? I think i will have to give him some bad news lol.

Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

I explained to you in my above post what the letters NRI stood for.
Both of you, now, could set up a business in India but as foreigners the difficulties are enormous. (You are not entering into the National economy).

Your friend is of 'Indian Origin' he can therefore get a long term visa,
or an OCI or PIO card. Which gives several benefits in owning property etc.

I must say that with your present level of combined ignorance any venture would be likely a disaster. "Stuff" is important.

Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

Bipat, why are you being rude to me? calling me naive, and now ignorant? if my posts upset you, do they annoy you? dont reply, simple, but please dont be rude. Thank you for your help, but id rather get no replies from anyone, than someone insulting me.

And as ive explained, im only thinking about it, hence asking questions on here, blimey.

Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

Adrian I have tried to explain to you the reality of starting a business as a foreigner in India. (If you are serious), but if you are unwilling to take heed or do the simplest research for yourself there is nothing any one can say to help.

Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

I appreciate the help, I just dont like people getting frustrated and insulting me, there was no need.

Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

Hi Adrian

Save your money - there are way too many problems for foreigners when they try to open a business in India - even your friend who has some Indian origin would find difficulties.
Although your friend has Indian origin and is able to get NRI or PIO status and will be able to start a business, it would actually not pay you well or make you profit unless you also went to India and lived by the rupee as opposed to the UK pound.
An English fish and chip shop is a risky venture in India where spicy food is preferred in general.
Secondly the cost of living there does not mirror the UK in any way. You would likely have to sell a portion of fish and chips at something like about 25 rupees to cater to locals - that equates to about 32p English - which means that in English monetary terms the profit will be negligible. Even if you did make a profit, getting that profit out of India is like trying to rob Fort Knox !

And that is without all the day to day difficulties involving corruption, 'white skin/foreigner tax' (ie you pay double for supplies than a local), renwowned jealousy of the outsider doing well ....etc etc

Hope this puts things into perspective for you Adrian

Dread - x

Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

Thank you so much for this, I need to do a hell of alot of research Xx.

Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

Hello Adrian

Dreadsoc and Bipat have put up everything in the right perspective. Yes, you will have to do a lot of research and may I add that you also need to find a good Lawyer, Accountant and of course a Finance person to make a very detailed project report BEFORE deciding anything else. There are many very good ones who will guide you perfectly on several matters including the statutory permissions and compliances.

I'll try and help where possible. Best wishes.

Cheers

Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

Im learning new things everyday, its not as simple as i thought it was, my mate was telling me how, places like India, Thailand etc, have very little rules and regulations, and everything can be dodged. Things seem easier to set up in the UK lol.

Cheers for your help boss.

Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

Oh Adrian - I am sooooo glad you found this sit and asked for advice !!
I'm sure your friend has good intention, but little actual knowledge. He may have listened to local Indians who weave and dodge and some may get away with it.

However for you my friend, and for your friend who is a non local Indian - the reality will be all so very different. Bureaucracy which seems to change daily dependant upon who is dealing with you on that day and what kind of mood they are in. And believe me, as a foreigner the authorities will scrutinise you far more than a local !

To use a topical analogy:
If ridiculous and unnecessary bureaucracy and long winded and petty procedures and rules were an Olympic sport - India would have won Gold Silver and Bronze !!!!

Dread - x

Dread - x

Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

LOL are you joking? 25 Rupees???? Tell me where you can get a full meal for 25 rupees.

The average price for a dish at most food courts in the big cities is 100 to 150 rupees. It's not uncommon to see items priced at 250 rupees and above for girlled meat/chicken dishes.

This is the menu for Costa Coffee in India:

http://www.costacoffee.co.in/food.html

I guarantee they are charging a heck of a lot more than 25 rupees. Their coffees alone are in the 130 rupees+ range. And what's more, they are packed. You go to a busy Costa Coffee in Delhi, and you will have to write your name in a book and wait for a table to become available.

I think you need to visit some of the big cities before you start giving advice on India in general.

Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

Adrian

Costa Coffee and mainstream franchises such as those are in the big centres of every city in the world virtually - and the cost of rents and overheads in those large cities are astronomical hence the need to charge the prices you have mentioned. Yes maybe they are busy in the centre of Delhi or Mumbai but they would not survive outside of the centres of big cities in India.
That is on top of the cost of the franchise rights in the first place - again astronomical.
Unless you have an enormous sum of money to invest then you would not be opening your first fish and chip shop or other business in the city centre of Delhi or Mumbai or another large city where you could charge such high prices by Indian standards.
Outside of the big city centres, 25 rupees or not much more is pretty much what you will be able to charge - even if you were able o charge the amounts you suggest - you will be ripped off by suppliers who will sell the basic ingredients to an local at one price, and charge you about 75 times that!
But you obviously know far more than those of us here who have lived in various parts of India, so if you think you can make it when 99% of other foreigners have not been able to - go ahead and spend all your money lining Indians' pockets - because that is all you will be doing in India as a foreigner !

And for the record I have spent plenty of time in and around India - and you have been there when exactly?

To be honest I have been quite kind in trying to help you avoid making a big error in your life - but your last comment shows what a rude and objectionable little individual you are - and I really don;t know why you bother to come on a site like BE where people are trying to help you and then throw back their advice in their faces - well rest assured you are no on my "ignore this twxt radar" now!

Dread - x

Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

Really? When was the last time you ate out at a restaurant in India. You are a Candolim expert, right?

Name ONE restaurant in Candolim where you can get a meal for Rs. 25 Heck name a restaurant in Panjim where you can get a meal for Rs. 25.

Restaurants are charging ten times that and there are plenty of Indians happy to pay. Both in and outside the large metros.

I don't know if you are trying to help, but your information is so outlandishly wrong that I almost think you are trolling. If you really don't know about a subject, it's better if you don't say anything.

Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

AdrianTO

Firstly let's go to the original post on this thread from the other Adrian ;-
His initial post was asking people what they thought about the Feasibility and PROFITABILITY of opening a takeaway Fish and chip shop in GHUJARAT. Your post above talks of a sit down restaurant in an Urban or City location such as DELHI. These two enterprises are worlds apart albeit they are both in the food industry.

Secondly if you had actually bothered to both read this thread properly and check before writing such a rude, obnoxious and personally insulting post as that above, you might have had the capacity to realise that the post you have chosen to use as a quote in your above post was written by me - in direct response to the original post by Adrian Charles - and relates to the sort of price you could expect to charge for a bag of chips IN GHUJARAT - not the prices one can expect to pay in a multi billion pound franchise outlet like Costa Coffee/Macdonalds in Delhi, or a formal restaurant in a mainstream Indian 'Urbansville'.
In fact other than a comparison as to which outlet's chips taste the nicest, the two cannot be justifiably compared, especially when it comes to the price charged for a bag of chips, to which my 25 rupee comment refers !!!
Had the original poster mentioned opening a sit down restaurant in Delhi, or tourist driven Goa, which he did NOT, do you not think my response to him would have reflected that? !!

Thirdly, about 4 - 5 years ago, I looked very seriously into starting a business in India with a Goan businessman, and in addition to much other research, we veiwed premises in a number of locations, including Mumbai, Goa, Kerala and Mysore. The difference in rental costs between premises in the city and those in smaller towns was phenominal, as was the difference in the cost charged for services. The overheads alone in city based businesses dictate higher price rates for products and services.
Hence a bag of chips is going to likely cost a hell of a lot less in GHUJARAT than it will cost you in DELHI !!
As for the comment you make about being able to charge "10 times that price" (quote) - somehow I don;t think the price of a bag of chips has reached 250 rupees - even in downtown Delhi !! And if it has I won't be buying them !

And in answer to your question, here are some places where I have purchased a portion of chips at 25 rupees or less last season:

1. Navtarra -
2. Scruffy little place along road from Mapusa Market - 15 rups there
3. Emmanuel -
4. Little place on route to Vasco next to a place where they sell the big vases at roadside - omelette and chips 12 rupees/2 pcs chicken and chips 23 rupees
5. Dolphin -
6. Chicknfish

.....the list could go on and on and you asked for just one - yet I have given you six ! - and these places are in the middle of the tourist zone, but generally frequented by locals.

SO - IF you are going to use my quotes, at least do so with some degree of accuracy, instead of manipulating my words in order to get some kick out of writing obnoxious posts to feed your vapid little ego !! :thumbdown:
If you struggle with writing in a civil manner - may I suggest you visit the 'Take it outside' forum instead of behaving like a complete @rsehole towards me - you will fit in very well on the TIO forum with the type of post you have written here.......

FINALLY - MY RESPONSE TO YOUR MISGUIDED USE OF THE TERM "TROLL" IS TO POINT OUT THAT YOU ARE THE ONE WHO HAS COME ONTO THIS THREAD, AND EITHER NOT READ IT PROPERLY Or BEEN INTELLECTUALLY INCAPABLE OF UNDERSTANDING THE ORIGINAL POST - AND PROMPTLY POSTED INSULTING AND OFFENSIVE MATERIAL AIMED AT ME AS AN INDIVIDUAL.
LOOKING AT THE LITERAL MEANING OF THE TERM "TROLL" IT IS CLEARLY FAR MORE FITTING TO YOU MY 'FIEND' THAN IT IS OR EVER WILL BE TO ME !!!!

To sum up Adrian - you are more than welcome to disagree with something I say at any time ..........
.............but your dishing out of personal attacks, insults and general offensiveness, such as you have posted on this thread, is most unwelcome - hence the contempt I have shown you in this response.

Dread - x

Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

Nice try. You didn't say a bag of chips. You clearly stated the price of a full restaurant meal at Rs. 25.

So again, I ask you. Where in Mapusa, on the street, in Panjim, in Calangute, where CAN YOU GET A FULL MEAL FOR Rs. 25? Not a bag of chips.

I await your reply.

Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

Whatever Adrian - get a life !!!!
I know what I meant at the time of writing and the point I was aiming at getting across - an error of two words from a language pattern does not denigrate the fact that I gave decent, solid and good advice to a young chap who was being led to believe that business is easy in India, and the paths paved with easy made money, when in fact it is anything but, and I am glad as hell that he noted the advice given.

But that is the difference between you and I isn't it?
I come on here and genuinely try my best to help people - and in fact have done in many different ways - including free legal representation in court. You on the other hand trawl this site for no other reason than to try and get your vapid little rocks off by picking on ridiculously minor points in peoples' posts! How sad - I pity you and your smallness !!

And I stand by my point that a back street greasy chippy in a low rent part of Ghujarat will not bring the profits or prices that a restaurant in tourist ridden Goa or a Costa coffee in Delhi, and a low rent takeaway in a Ghujarat back street is exactly the business that the OP was looking at !

I am now really bored with this tedious diatribe over a little point and we shall have to agree to disagree on how much fish and chips in back street Ghujarat cost until one or other o us gopes there3 and buys some -
Now please go away and celebrate your little point score over a pint of cashew fenny with my best wishes !!!

Dread - x

Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

Do you not get that you are flat out wrong? There is nowhere in any restaurant or takeaway in India where you will get a fish and chips dinner for Rs. 25 or any full dinner for that matter. Whether it's some back alley in Gujarat or a high end mall in Delhi. And if you do, the conditions will be so filthy and unhygienic that no middle class Indian would be caught dead in there. But, maybe those are the type of places you frequent. The price might vary from Rs. 150 to Rs. 300 depending on the locale and the type of fish. Moreover, you will find plenty of Indians willing to pay and able to afford those prices. At Rs. 25, you are so far wrong, it's ludicrous. Yet, you persist in arguing. You will get a cup or two of tea for that much, not much else.

Yes, I have been to Gujarat, and no, restaurant meals like fish and chips don't cost Rs. 25 there either.

You think you are helping, but you are not. You are providing wildly inaccurate information to people that don't know better. I don't call that helping.

Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

Adrain

DO YOU NOT GET that whether a cheap meal in Ghujarat costs 25 or 250 rupees is completely irrelevant in terms of whether or not the OP should go into this venture?
Do you also not get that the OP was asking about running a cheap little takeaway chip shop in Ghujarat - not a Restaurant or Costa coffee which you harp on about!

The point of this thread was whether or not a young Brit guy should invest money in a back street chippy in Ghujarat - which his friend would run for him, and he would collect the profits in the UK.- would you advise him to go ahead ?
(actually 'you' probably would !!)
This was an illustrative point among many points made for the OP to think about before contemplating this venture - and I am sure if he did start a chippy in a cheap part of Ghujarat he would go and do his own research to define his menu prices !!

You obviously have some sad and desperate need to harange me on public forum over two little words used to illustrate a specific point (like I have noticed you do with others !!) - but if that is what makes you feel more of a man and doing so helps you big up your fragile ego, then you fill our boots and go for it - as I have said yesterday, I know what I meant, and I believe the OP, with whom I have had further discourse by pm, also understood my point in exactly the way it was intended - and as my post was an answer to his, that is what matters!

Now you have scored your cheap little point - are you feeling more big and manly now? .....so go drink a few more pints of cashew fenny to celebrate ...

In the meantime, I have far more constructive and interesting things to do with my time than responding to a point scoring cyber bully who isn't even that good at that - I am so bored with your harping now Adrain that I am making this my last reply to the whole subject ...... we disagree on something - get over it !!

Enjoy your fenny - apparently it does great things to people when drunk by the pint !!!! :p

Love and mushy peace

Dread - x

PS - take a little trip down to Vasco and stop at a little local cafe place near the village with the big church - I had 2 bits of chicken and side salad there for 16 rups - and it was delicious !!



However here is a question for you - what constructive advice/points are you making that would help the original poster ?
Quite frankly - I stand by every point I gave to Adrian Charles about why giving money to an Indian friend to run a cheap back street chip shop in Ghujarat is not a good idea.
OH YES I DO FREQUENT LOCAL PLACES - I find less unpleasant people there!

Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

Even if he is going to be running a cheap takeaway shop, it's still not going to be Rs. 25 for a portion of fish and chips. Do you not get that?

You are providing a completely wrong and skewed vision of business and prices in India. That is why I am insisting on correcting to you. My comments may not be directly helpful to the OP, but they are helpful to other people who may be thinking of starting a business or just coming to India for a visit. They will be shocked when they first go to a restaurant or anywhere for that matter if they expect to pay Rs. 25 for a meal. I am setting the record straight.

Any place that has decent hygiene and is frequented by middle class Indians would charge at least Rs. 200 for full menu items like that. Not Rs. 25. I don't know where you eat, but I sure as hell don't want to eat there, specially for chicken/meat and seafood dishes.

Expect to pay:

Vegetables/Lentils - Rs. 50 to Rs. 100
Chicken/Meat - Rs. 100 to Rs. 200
Seafood - Rs 200 and up
Food Court Meals - Rs. 100 to Rs. 200

Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZ
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From all the people who are reading your posts !!
WE ARE SO BORED OF YOU !!

:rofl::rofl:

Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

At least my post contains solid facts and figures. Most of this is hyperbole, with no basis. As I said earlier, you should refrain from making posts on topics on which you are ill informed.

Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

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What facts? - you haven't given or evidenced any ! not on takeaway chips anyway
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:p:p

Adrain - any chance of you keeping posting a few more this evening ?- it will help me settle down to sleep quickly

Thanks:thumbup:

Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

If anybody wants more specific information about market conditions or doing business in India, please feel free to PM me.

I have contacts both within the Indian business community and with British expats who have done business in India and/or have worked in India for British companies.

Nowhere is it easy to set up a profitable business. But, it's possible and it's lucrative. There is a reason why big companies from all over the world are lining up to enter the Indian market.

Don't take business advice from somebody who only has a passing/amateur view of the Indian market.

Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

Keep going A drain - it's working very well and lots of people are getting some great benefit from this helpful insomnia cure you are giving- but just maybe one or two more of your draining posts would do the trick if you wouldn't mind - thanks :thumbsup: .... one sheep two sheep three sheep...A drain's post...
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Re: Thinking of moving to India
 

And you are a "concierge" on this board(what ever that means)?

Wow, just wow.