Hotel Saravana Bhavan was launched in Kuwait in March 2012, and soon, its menu of delicious and healthy vegetarian cuisine captured the hearts of the Indian community in Kuwait. The restaurant is located on the 4th floor of Humoud Towers, off the Gulf Road in Fahaheel, above the Centrepoint Store. In a clear sign of its growing popularity, and due to popular demand, it recently opened a branch in Salmiya, marking a new chapter in its illustrious journey in Kuwait.<\/p>\n
The Saravana Bhavan, the largest South Indian vegetarian restaurant chain in the world, started out as a small food outlet in a middle-class suburb of Chennai, India, in 1981 and gradually mushroomed into many outlets across India and the world. Under Ananthi Natarajan\u2019s able guidance in Kuwait, the franchise has met with notable success and earned a reputation in the restaurant scene as the best destination for South Indian cuisine. Behind her are her loving husband and daughter who lend their full support to her endeavors. Her daughter, Aarthi Siddharth, is following her mother\u2019s example with success in her own business, an online shopping portal sareesouq.com for sarees and dress materials.<\/p>\n
The Times Kuwait recently visited the Saravana Bhavan restaurant for a talk with its vivacious and charming proprietress, Ananthi Natarajan. \u201cI am by nature a very active person, and after coming to Kuwait following my marriage, I wanted to find something to keep me occupied.\u201d \u201cIn Chennai, I had the experience of running a hospital cafeteria attached to my brother\u2019s Specialty Hospital in Chennai, which fostered in me an interest in the food industry,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
To the question of why bring the franchise to Kuwait, she replied, \u201cI am a vegetarian who enjoys vegetarian food. I noticed that it was very difficult to get good vegetarian food in Kuwait. I decided that since this concept is very famous all over the world, I should try it here because I felt there was a market for it.\u201d \u201cWhile I was working to establish this restaurant, many people thought I couldn\u2019t do it,\u201d she chuckled, thinking of her naysayers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI opened my second outlet in Dajeej on the request of Lulu Hypermarket and it was a source of pride that I was asked. The latest one was launched in Salmiya as the area is home to a large expat community who relish vegetarian food,\u201d Mrs. Natarajan said. With regards to her future plans, she disclosed, \u201cI am thinking about maybe expanding to other areas, and it depends if I get any further requests.\u201d When asked how, in the present over-saturated market when many restaurants are struggling to attract customers, her restaurants manage to distinguish themselves, she said, \u201cAside from the vegetarian concept, I believe customer satisfaction is at the forefront of the restaurant\u2019s success in Kuwait.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you please customers you can sustain your restaurant,\u201d she said with genuine pride, before adding, \u201cCustomers regularly give me feedback and it is very important for me. I try to establish a home-like atmosphere for everyone to relax and enjoy their food in a casual environment.\u201d Sharing her top tips for running a successful restaurant, she underscored that restaurant owners must understand the customer.<\/p>\n
She stressed, \u201cWe have to be genuine in providing a wholesome service to the customer as they are integral to the strength of the restaurant. You have to maintain good quality, taste and service!\u201d On the overall customer feedback, she replied it was positive. \u201cI see many known faces, and we have a repeating customer base.\u201d Noting that many people have shared their appreciation for her efforts, she said humbly, \u201cI feel good because many people have thanked me for bringing vegetarian food to Kuwait. It is part of my business, but so many people, who are vegetarians here, express gratitude for my menu food items like Thali, which is very tasty and filling.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am doing something good, and very happy that people acknowledge the quality taste I bring to them,\u201d she said. Speaking about her dedication to her job, she said, \u201cMy approach to business is I am very particular about every detail and aspect of the business. If something goes wrong then it will reflect badly on the restaurant\u2019s reputation. However, I do try to take care of my workers, and resolve their problems as I understand their plight.\u201d<\/p>\n
On ideas for another restaurant, she revealed, \u201cIf given another chance, I would prefer to open another Indian restaurant because I want to be very involved in every decision from its menu preparation to service and Indian cuisine is what I know best.\u201d Touching on her successes in life, she said with pride, \u2018I was conferred with a doctorate in Women Empowerment & Entrepreneurship from Chicago University. It was a grand recognition of my accomplishments; especially as no other lady entrepreneur is doing what I am doing in the hotel business.\u201d<\/p>\n\r\n