Latest news with #NikhilDoda
Entrepreneur
3 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Bottling Nostalgia: Nikhil Doda, Co-Founder, Director & COO of Lahori Zeera
The flagship drink, Lahori Zeera, isn't your average soda. It's fizzy, yes, but it's also fortified with black pepper, dry ginger, lemon juice, cumin, and a carefully calibrated mix of salt and sugar, effectively making it India's sassiest electrolyte drink Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. In 2017, three co-founders with a nose for nostalgia and a palate for possibilities launched a fizzy rebellion against the sugary sameness of Indian beverages. Armed with cumin, ginger, and a firm belief that the Indian drinks aisle needed more soul (and fewer synthetic flavors), Lahori Zeera bubbled up into the market. Fast forward to 2025, and the brand now sells over 5 million bottles daily during summer, commands shelf space in over 8 lakh outlets, and clocks in a gross revenue of INR 743 crore. Not bad for a company that started with a "humble manufacturing facility" and a dream to make "Desi the new cool." "Ethnic Indian drinks is a big category which was unexplored and no brand was focusing on the same," says Nikhil Doda, co-founder, director & COO of Lahori Zeera. The team saw a white space in a market drowning in global flavors, and instead of a fruit fusion drink, they decided to bottle Indian nostalgia with a twist of carbonation. The flagship drink, Lahori Zeera, isn't your average soda. It's fizzy, yes, but it's also fortified with black pepper, dry ginger, lemon juice, cumin, and a carefully calibrated mix of salt and sugar, effectively making it India's sassiest electrolyte drink. "The moment people take a sip, they immediately connect with the burst of tangy, authentic flavors, reminiscent of a homemade desi drink," says Doda. In a market flooded with neon-coloured fizz bombs, Lahori Zeera manages to straddle the fine line between indulgence and familiarity. While the brand started with just Zeera, it has since grown a full cast of desi co-stars like nimboo, shikanji, kacha aam, imli banta, masala cola. The business model is as crisp as the drinks. Everything is manufactured in-house or via trusted co-bottlers, then distributed through a network of 2,000+ distributors across 17 states. General Trade (GT) is still the apex, accounting for over 90 per cent of sales, but quick commerce is bubbling up with potential. "Quick commerce makes perfect sense for a product like us where people can solve for their cravings," says Doda. Currently, it's just 1–2 per cent of the pie, but given India's appetite for immediate gratification, don't be surprised if that slice grows quickly. As of now, 65 per cent of Lahori's business comes from North Indian states like Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, where the brand's been around long enough to have cult status. But newer territories are catching up. You'll find Lahori now across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and more. And although the UAE and other GCC countries are calling, Doda says they're focused on meeting explosive domestic demand first. International expansion is on the cards just not before they've quenched every last Indian thirst. "As a team we have plans of launching the brand in GCC countries within the next 2 years." For FY 2024-25, Lahori closed with a net revenue of INR 530 crore and a gross revenue of INR 743 crore. With 1800+ employees and INR 175 crore in funding raised, the brand is sprinting. And FY 2025-26? "We strongly feel that no number is too big for the brand," Doda says with the confidence of someone who knows what it takes to build a billion-dollar beverage. Lahori Zeera didn't just create a product, it reminded an entire generation raised on colas and canned mocktails that desi flavors don't have to be dusty relics of the past. They can be bold, fizzy, and mainstream.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Lahori Zeera success story: How three Cousins built over Rs 300 crore empire from Rs 10 desi drink
The success story of Lahori Zeera began not in a big corporate office, but in a small home kitchen in Punjab. Three cousins - Saurabh Munjal, Saurabh Bhutna, and Nikhil Doda - joined hands to create a drink that would soon become a household name. What started as a simple experiment with cumin (zeera) turned into an over Rs 300 crore business empire. It was Nikhil Doda who first came up with the idea of a zeera-based beverage. After trying out a homemade version using common kitchen ingredients, he shared it with his cousins. The unique taste caught their attention, and the trio quickly realised its potential. They set up Archian Foods Pvt. Ltd. in Fatehgarh, Punjab, in 2017 to bring their desi drink to the masses. Lahori Zeera: A Hit From Day One Their first product, Lahori Zeera, was an instant success. Packed with traditional flavours like cumin, black pepper, dry ginger, lemon, and sendha namak (rock salt), the fizzy drink gave a fresh twist to Indian classics. Consumers loved its natural, chemical-free ingredients, especially at a time when health-conscious choices were gaining popularity. Unlike regular soft drinks filled with artificial chemicals, Lahori Zeera stood out for its authentic taste and use of natural spices. The drink became a healthier and affordable alternative, all for just Rs 10 per bottle. Inspired by Indian Kitchens and Street Food Culture According to Saurabh Munjal, the CEO of Lahori Zeera, the brand draws inspiration from traditional Indian kitchens and the flavours of local street food. The name 'Lahori' was chosen for its connection to Lahori Namak, a kind of rock salt often used in Indian recipes. Lahori Zeera, along with other variants like Lahori Nimbu, Lahori Kacha Aam, and Lahori Shikanji, all carry a strong desi identity. These beverages are rooted in the familiar tastes of Indian households and aim to revive local flavours in a modern format. Massive Growth and Expansion Across India From humble beginnings, the brand has grown at lightning speed. In the early days, their facility in Rupnagar, Punjab, produced 96,000 bottles per day. By 2022, this number grew to 1.2 million bottles daily. In 2023, they reached a whopping 2 million bottles per day. Lahori Zeera is now sold in 18 states and available at over five lakh retail outlets across India. With the help of more than 2,000 distributors, the brand sells over 50 lakh bottles every day during peak summer months - a clear sign of how much India loves its desi drinks. Aiming for Rs 1,000 Crore Revenue In the interview with 30stades, co-founder Nikhil Doda shared that the company recorded Rs 312 crore in net revenue in 2024. This year, they expected to cross Rs 525 crore, showing a growth of over 68%. Their ambitious target for FY26? A staggering Rs 1,000 crore in revenue. This success is remarkable, considering the trio started with a drink priced at just Rs 10. Their focus on affordability and quality has helped them capture the price-sensitive Indian market without cutting corners. Why Lahori Zeera Stands Out in a Crowded Market The Indian non-alcoholic beverage industry is massive, valued at Rs 1.37 lakh crore in 2023, and is expected to grow to Rs 2.10 lakh crore by 2029. While most big players focused on colas and energy drinks, Saurabh Munjal, Saurabh Bhutna, and Nikhil Doda saw a golden opportunity in ethnic Indian drinks. They stepped into a space that was largely ignored, bringing something new yet rooted in culture. By sticking to natural ingredients and flavours people already loved, Lahori Zeera quickly became a favourite. Awards, Recognition, and the Road Ahead The success story of Lahori Zeera hasn't just brought in money - it's also won them praise and awards. The company has been recognised as the 'Best Startup', 'Iconic Retail Brand', and even bagged the IAA Award for Best Ad Film. More importantly, they've created a brand that millions of Indians relate to. Their story is a powerful example of how traditional ideas, when packaged right, can challenge giants and win hearts. The journey of Lahori Zeera - led by cousins Saurabh Munjal, Saurabh Bhutna, and Nikhil Doda - is nothing short of inspirational. With just a Rs 10 bottle and a bold idea, they built a Rs 500 crore business rooted in Indian flavours. This is not just a success story - it's a revolution in the world of Indian beverages. For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here.
