Coolex all set to foray into fast food business

To set up fast food chain via franchisee route

Coolex Industries Private Limited, a pioneer in designing and manufacturing fibre-based air-conditioning, refrigeration and food processing products under the brand name 'Cool King', is all set to foray into the fast food restaurant segment under the brand name 'Coolex Bigbelly Restaurants'.

"We have already invited franchisees for setting up a chain of Coolex Bigbelly Restaurants in all the major cities and towns in the state," P Radhakrishna, managing director of Coolex Industries, told Business Standard.

Coolex had so far limited itself to designing, developing and supplying fibre-based air-conditioning and food processing products on orders. The company is targeting a turnover of Rs 10 crore in the next two years.

"A Coolex Bigbelly Restaurant needs less space and is low on investment. A small restaurant requires Rs 6 lakh; a moderate restaurant Rs 10 lakh while a big joint requires Rs 15 lakh. We will supply our equipment and our own formulae for western, oriental and desi fast food specialties to the franchisees," Radhakrishna said.

Coolex, which has tied up with a US agency "" American Association, has geared up to extensively campaign for inculcating among people the soyabean food culture. "The agency will supply flavoured soya milk, soya nuts, defatted powder, sauce and cholesterol-free soya oil to the consumers through own tailor-made innovative equipment," he said.

Radhakrishna said that the company has developed designs for over 50 fibre-based products.

"Fibre-based products are long-lasting and are useful in industrial belts known for corrosion due to pollution, and in coastal areas which have saline atmosphere. Coolex's multi-split, air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment "" the only fibre and microprocessor-based systems in the world "" are totally rust-free and are easily maintainable. A two-tonne capacity air-conditioning system which comes with a remote control, a single compressor and a timing programme, will give the same cooling effect given by a rival eight-tonne capacity system in three-four rooms," he claimed. "The company also uses metal cabinets on customers' choice," he added.

Radhakrishna said that the company has recently developed new machines for ice cream making, an instant cooling of coconut water and flavoured milk and for fast crushing and instant cooling of sugar cane juice.

"We are using high quality French and American ingredients in 'Cool King' ice-cream, which is less priced but far superior in smoothness. We have sold 40 ice-cream units in Hyderabad. A tender coconut is inverted over the coconut-cooling machine for instant cooling of water. The sugar cane machine with double crushers makes crushing easy and the juice passes through a cooling chamber to give chilled sugar cane juice instantly," he said.

He said Coolex products also include pizza and slush-making machines, dry fruit-making units, water coolers, deep freezers, bottle coolers and display cooling machines.

Coolex's other products are: Ice cube machines, pet air-conditioners, drink dispensers, soda-making units, desert coolers, air coolers, car air-conditioning system, fresh air systems, popcorn machines, kiosks, espresso coffee-tea machines, deep oil fryers, electric tandoor, and sandwich grilling and toasting machines.

These apart, microwave ovens, kitchen exhaust equipment, insect killer machine, kitchen chimneys, mineral water plants, water purifiers, water heaters (gas and electrical), domestic and laundry washing machines, packing and scaling machines, air curtains, voltage stabilisers, servo control stabilisers, UPS and inverters, TVs, refrigerators, computers, and peripherals, CCTVs for security, digital printed pedestal glow signboards and imported physical fitness and playground equipment have made a mark in the market.