Today is hard, Tomorrow is worse, But the day after will be sunshine Say’s Biggies Burger Founder.

Startup Name: Biggies Burger.

Founder Name: Biraja Prasad Rout

Started year: 2011

Website

Hi, can you give a brief about yourself?

I am Biraja Rout from Odisha and have founded Biggies Burger ‘n’ More in 2011. I have a background in IT automation and have always focused on SOPs & reduced human intervention.

What are the factors which influenced you to start the startup?

The lack of an Indian player in the QSR (Quick service restaurants) segment.

How did your journey start towards your dream?

It started with a kiosk QSR format where SOP was everything and over the period of time as SOPs were improved the stores as well.

As I have interviewed many people in the last 6 months as of my experience initial journey to set up a startup is not so easy? What is your opinion on it?

I would say for me it was initial 5 years. Each second of 5 years that I was awake was tough to sustain because of financial issues & being a beginner in F&B business it took ample amount of time to streamline SOPs & work with blue collars to create a standard system.

What are the biggest misconception people have about you? Why do they have that? What’s the reality?

The misconception of people: My journey being an easy one.I never crib about the pain that I have gone through & have never conveyed to others though. The sense of being over-optimistic in the dead times has helped me a lot to overcome bigger issues.

How you funded your startup?

For the initial project, I have taken 1 lacs from my father but as it was not working great. Somehow I was unable to ask for further money, so I used to manage it through my salary & personal loans, credit cards etc.

 About your company? Why people should opt your startup?

Our company Biggies Burger was started in 2011, with our first store being at Electronic City Phase 1. We took 5 years to stabilize ourselves and went the franchising route once we were certain that not only was our brand widely accepted, but consumers were fascinated by our offering of healthy, grilled burgers.

The primary reason for people to become a part of our chain is the existence of “FOCO” (Franchise Owned Company Operated) model. This allows people to continue with their existing lives, whilst handing over the management to experienced professionals.

Is the startup growing at good phase according to your plans? What are the upcoming plans from your end?

Yes, it’s growing as expected. In future, we are planning open more of company-owned stores rather franchise stores. We are targeting 500 stores by 2023 & 2 overseas store as well.

I think everyone has some inspiring person in their life and some taglines? who are they what is their role in your startup life?

Initially, survival was the only motto with the standard of operations. Later over the period of time, I got to watch some interviews with JACK MA and I believe his statements & optimistic vision is the most inspiring thing that I have come across.

TAGLINE: “ Today is hard, tomorrow is worse, but the day after will be sunshine”

 What your stack on the competition? who are your competitors? How you are overcoming them?

On the course of globalization & ease of business competition is n inherited aspect of the business which can’t be ignored. To tackle with competition the strategy has to adopt the timeline & mode of the business. Like previously the strategy used to be consistent product & service, currently its exposure of the stores in volume and in future it may change.

How hard is it to have a work-life balance as a startup founder and how do you manage it?

There is nothing called work & life. As I enjoy what I do so I live with it. And I try to get persons associated with my life to the industry viz. my mother, father, brother, wife, friends so that I get the luxury of spending time with them. Today, fortunately, everyone that I love at least the top 10 people are in the same business.

What is your opinion on Startupsindia.in? Any suggestions?

We need platforms like this in the ecosystem. It’s very important that these platforms recognize credible players and help the industry to contribute more & more to the nation’s growth.

Let conclude our discussion anything you want to say for young India.

BE BRAVE BE BIGGIES.