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Homegrown Success

B360
B360 November 29, 2016, 12:00 am
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Innovation in thought and determination in execution is what makes an entrepreneur. Innovation however should not be so unique that it remains inapplicable. Business is also not just about what you are doing, but how well you understand and execute it.  The success story of Chetan Bhandari of the famed food chain, Bajeko Sekuwa inspires a whole generation of young entrepreneurs to test their dreams. 
Bhandari’s father, Dinanath Bhandari, set the founding stone of today’s Bajeko Sekuwa and is credited with commercially popularising a food that many were already familiar with. Hundreds joined the league to sell the skewered and barbecued item (sekuwa), but Chetan Bhandari was the one to recognise its immense business potential and create a successful brand. “Perseverance is what it took to stand out in the crowd,” reveals the restaurateur. 
Chairman of Bajeko Sekuwa, Chetan Bhandari recalls a question asked to him by a mentor, “How do you eat an elephant?” He had no clue to the answer then but now knows that you eat it bit by bit and keep going until it is finished. He shares that this became his mantra for the success Bajeko Sekuwa enjoys today. It took steady and consistent commitment and hard work. 
Bhandari says that the biggest achievement he has garnered from the business is the acknowledgement from his valued customers, “People don’t know me by my name, within and beyond the country, but they have all heard of Bajeko Sekuwa and that is what I am proud of”. He also believes that you must enter a business you are passionate about. “I am a big foodie and my father always loved to cook and feed people,” he shares. 

Foray into business
As a school boy, Bhandari went to a food joint set up by his father and mother to enjoy sekuwas. It was located near a corner of Tribhuvan International Airport. There he witnessed something that haunted him for years. “On reaching the spot, I saw my father and mother running carrying their wares to escape from the police. This helped me realize that my father had to do business in a more organised and systematic way,” he remembers. He forced his father to lease a shutter and there has been no looking back ever since. He got his hands dirty in the business and worked progressively through the years. 
At one point, Bhandari thought of getting a job. “I was selected to work at the Godawari Village Resort when I was done with my MBA. My father decided to go to a pilgrimage at that very time and I was left in charge of running the business. By the time my father returned, I had given up all ideas of working for someone else”. During this time, Bhandari discovered how his father was being cheated by some workers. He identified and managed the loopholes, generated extra income and began looking for reformation and expansion. He researched more, hired an accountant, a separate cashier, introduced kitchen order token (KOT), and a menu and billing system. He also embraced newer technology. “Today we have such a sophisticated system that I can check all the transactions on my mobile,” he informs. With the expansion also came the branding aspect – the name, logo, colour and such. And his effort and vision reflected in the balance sheets.


The first franchise in the country
There came a point when Bhandari reached exhaustion. He had to work on paying bank loans, decide the menu, manage the workforce, interact with customers and take care of all operations. He was considering slowing down on expansion efforts but the concept of franchise hit home and the first franchise of Bajeko Sekuwa came into existence in Pokhara. It was a test model and he had given the franchise at one rupee! 
Following the overwhelming success in Pokhara, another franchise outlet was opened in Satdaboto and was soon followed by outlets in Sukedhara, Bharatpur, Lazimpat, Gangabu and Labim Mall. 
Bhandari operates six outlets directly in Battisputali, Anamnagar, Sinamangal, Sorakhuttey, Gairidhara and the food court at City Center. These see a daily footfall of at least 1,500 customers. 
The brand has grown so strong that Bhandari receives request from across the world seeking franchise interest. “If all such requests are to materialise, I can sign at least 100 franchise deals within a week, both within the country and overseas,” he reveals. However he is clear about what he wants. He says, “As we are yet to develop as a thorough corporate organisation and to set up clear standards for franchise, I am in no hurry”. He plans to establish outlets in three foreign cities: Delhi, Sydney and Kuala Lumpur in the near future.
Bhandari reaches office at 11am everyday and works until 5pm. He shares, “I believe in reflective leadership. I believe in discipline from my co-workers and staff but by showing that I am disciplined too.” 
The company has also established Bajeko Ventures which extends the franchise, trains staff, oversees promotion and work on business expansion. 


Adding spice
Enlarging the business scope, he has now introduced a new portfolio, Bajeko Masala (cooking spices).  “The masala is all about showcasing our history.  It comes in a gift package as a typical gift to carry back from Nepal for friends and family abroad,” he elaborates. 


His company has entered in partnership with Asian Food for the production of these spices as per the recipe provided by his company. “We have around 25 types of spice mixtures that we launched some months ago. They are also available for sale from our outlets and carry the Bajeko taste. We are analysing the export market as there is huge potential but will initially introduce our spices through selected department stores soon.” 

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