Ahmedabad's pioneer of chats

MEET YOUR ENTREPRENEUR/NARENDRA SOMANI

From being a small boy working in his father's tea stall to becoming the owner of one of the largest hotels in the city, Narendra Somani has come a long way.

The chairman and managing director of Bhagwati Banquets and Hotels Ltd, Somani started working at the age of 14 in his father's tea stall in 1980.

From the tea stall, he ventured into vending juices and ice-creams to small caterers in the city in the year 1986. While supplying ice-creams and juices to a caterer at a small party, Somani was attracted to the Delhi-made 'chats' on offer. He planned to introduce the concept of 'chats' in the city.

In the year 1990, he opened his first chat outlet "" Bhagwati Chat "" with an investment of Rs five lakhs in the Panchwati area of the city. There was no looking back for the enterprising entrepreneur since then.

Very soon 'Bhagwati Chat' become famous and he was known as the pioneer of chats in Ahmedabad.

After becoming famous in the chat business, he started 'Bhagwati Caterers' in the year 1992. The company offered food along with the chats.

While 'Bhagwati Caterer' was at its peak in 1995, Somani introduced outdoor catering in 1996. and very soon become the catering king of Gujarat. "At present, Bhagwati Caterers is the largest caterer in the state" says Somani.

In June 2002, Somani opened the largest hotel of the city, 'The Grand Bhagwati' with an investment of Rs 24 crore. "The hotel achieved its break-even in the very first year of operation," says Somani.

The turnover for Bhagwati Banquets and Hotels Ltd for the last financial year was Rs 18 crore and Somani plans to come up with two more such properties in the city very soon.

"The most difficult time was after the earthquake, which resulted in a hike in the cost of raw material, resulting in increased cost of the hotel project," said Somani.

He is married to Sunita Somani, who is president, Lioness Club of Karnavati. They have a son Manish and a daughter Heena, both of whom are studying.

"My source of inspiration is my wife. I love watching movies, eating out and going out of station with my family," says Somani. His hobbies includes, listening to music, exercise and swimming.