Owned, Company Operated) stores. Chai Waale traces its entrepreneurial heritage to the Maheswari family’s 120-year-old steel trading business before diversifying into the food and beverage sector. In 2018, Vidur Maheswari, an alumnus of Harvard University and King’s College London, launched the first Chai Waale outlet in Sowcarpet, Chennai, as a pilot for affordable chai-centric offerings.

The brand was incubated under India’s MSME scheme and is recognised as a DPIIT-certified start-up. It also holds ISO 9001 certification. Chai Waale operates on a QSR café model, serving hot and cold chai, street snacks, and fusion food. Outlets are strategically located at malls, metro stations, airports, and IT parks. The company adopts a hybrid growth model through COCO stores and franchising, emphasizing affordability and entrepreneurship. The company’s vision is to become the world’s largest chai QSR chain, with a goal of 1,500 outlets globally. Its mission is to provide a chai destination for diverse demographics and to promote entrepreneurship through franchise programs.