Chutney Joe's

(Post: English)
"The average Joe loves fast-food burgers and pizza. Chipotle Mexican Grill proved that Joe also has an appetite for chain-restaurant tacos and burritos."

Now, with America's Indian population rising, Vijay Puniani thinks average Joe is ready for chicken tikka masala at Chutney Joe's.

Puniani, 58, a retired real-estate developer, opened his quick-serve restaurant in Chicago's Loop last February.

He modeled Chutney Joe's on Chipotle, which boasts all-fresh ingredients in dishes prepared in front of you to your specifications.

Customers start by choosing either basmati rice or naan, or flatbread. Then they select from four meat or five vegetarian entrées. There are also appetizers, desserts, and, of course, chutney.

A full meal can be had for less than $10.

Puniani began experimenting with recipes and preparation methods about two and a half years ago, using focus groups of 15 to 30 people. He had experience: In 1974, he opened a restaurant in New Delhi.

Chutney Joe's turned cash-flow positive about four months in and now grosses $15,000 to $17,000 a week.

Puniani, who put $500,000 of his own into the business, is looking for investors and franchisees to expand in Chicago and beyond.

Why start in Chicago? A Starbucks exec once told him that if something succeeded in Chicago, it would succeed everywhere.

Source: BusinessWeek