Interview with Yash Patel, Proprietor of Raj Mandir ice creams

Please mention your name and position in Raj Mandir ice cream.

My name is Yash Patel and I am the proprietor of Raj Mandir ice creams and dairy product.

Please mention your time duration of association with Raj Mandir ice creams and what inspired you to start it.

Actually this ice cream company was founded in 2002. It was founded by my mother Shobha Patel. We started this company in Kolhapur in 2002 but it was not register back then. We were recognised for quality, we started when Shrikhand got popular with ice cream and that time we had 10 flavours in ice cream and 3 flavours in Shrikhand.  But right now we have more than 25 flavours in ice cream, 15 flavours in milkshake and many other delicacies like Cocktail Falooda.

What actually inspired you to go into the business of ice creams?

Actually my mum started this business. I would like to share how my mum got inspired to start this business. She learnt how to make ice creams in Rajkot. There was a small shop called Raj Mandir, which was a very small shop near her college. She used to visit that place often. She used to have soda and ice cream there which was quite popular at the time. When she came here and started to  establish this ice cream  firm, she remembered that shop which she really loved and enjoyed being there, that name was very much in her memory. So she decided that this name is very nice for an ice cream firm. So she finally decided that lets keep this name and it turned out to be big hit in Kolhapur.

Please mention any unique characteristic of the brand Raj Mandir which makes the  brand different from others?

Raj Mandir is quite popular today, we are very different from other brands in the market right now. We don’t use custard powder gelatin product in our ice cream which actually spoils the ice cream.  We do not have air ice creams. Our ice creams are completely made from milk and cream.  It consists of no other chemical or powder which are used in other commercial ice creams nowadays. The delicacies which we provide are very different from the market right now. We have best quality of ice cream in town in Kolhapur  as well as Pune. Red pelo ice cream with chili powder which is our signature product right now. We also provide other  delicacies like Cocktail and Panidas. We have titanic and too many flavours in Panidas. So people love these flavors and ask their friends and relatives to visit us.

Who can be a franchisee of Raj Mandir ice cream ?

It is not that difficult to be a franchisee of Raj Mandir ice creams. But there are a few points I would like to discuss to be a franchisee of Raj Mandir ice creams. We are very precise about the cleanliness in the outlet because, it is very important as we deal with many products. Second thing, people should be ready to invest properly because, if you want a premium from Raj Mandir ice creams, we can guarantee you the sales but then you should be ready to invest the amount which we actually ask you to. Then there should be proper ambience, lights and interior. For interior we have our designs, we have our team which will be shared with you, and according to that Franchisee can give proper attention to the crowd who want a Raj Mandir ice cream. We have many flavours, they will ask many questions. I think it is important to not lose your temperament and explain everything about the  flavours. Other thing is that to maintain the quality, to maintain outlet properly  and availability of ice cream should be there. It is important to have all the flavours because once you say no to a customer it creates a negative impact on them. The last thing is the location, any compromise on location as location is going to decide your business and sales. Any compromise on location for example, saving 3000-4000 on rent will cost you more than 5000 on daily sales. Takes time to find a location and that will be the best time thing.

Where do you want to see Raj Mandir in the next financial year? What are the plan and the targets that the brand wants to achieve?

The Raj Mandir brand is based on the quality of the product. We have entered Pune and other major cities of Maharashtra now I want to expand this brand to Karnataka and other parts of Goa. We want to expand based on the quality of a product to other parts.

What are your expectations from Franchise Alpha?

My expectations with Franchise Alpha is to work  with you guys for a longer period. And I would like to go international along with Franchise Alpha. So that mine and your company can grow together.

How is your experience with Franchise Alpha been so far?

Franchise Alpha has shared knowledge and information with me which I was very unaware of. It is also helping me to achieve my goals and target which I was trying from very long time. So yeah, it is helpful and very good.

Where do you see the brand Raj Mandir in the long run if you have Franchise Alpha by your side?

In the long run, I want to see Raj Mandir on international platform is actually a big dream and a big goal to achieve. But, we will strive for the best and work hard with Franchise Alpha.  I think then we can achieve it.