RNR Restaurants: Offering Karnataka’s famous Donne biryani.

There are many moments in one’s life when there comes an opportunity so good that something must be done to make it happen. The Indian ready to eat food market is one of the most dynamic markets in the world. Like many business segments, there are state specialities while select ones manage to become popular all over the country. Every state has its own set of entrepreneurs who are ambitious and passionate enough to make this vision happen. The Karnataka market, while a large one in its own right, has its own range of food specialities which deserve to go national. 

Alongside this fact, there lies another interesting twist. Which is the fact that Biryani is often touted as the national dish of India, purely on the back of the sheer number of people who order it online, the number of restaurants who serve it as a staple dish and the sheer number of homes which love making it in their own way. Karnataka’s Donne Biryani lies in its own class. All it needs is a set of entrepreneurs to take it nation-wide. 

Today, at Bangalore Insider, we spoke to Ramya Ravi, the Co-founder of RNR Restaurants, who’s dipped her toes into the burgeoning food market with a specific focus on Karnataka’s Donner Biryani range. Below are the excerpts from our interaction.  

Give a brief info about your startup & what made you start your venture?

Karnataka is known for Donne biryani. But, unfortunately, there is a sheer dearth of brands that can go nationwide and popularize Donne biryani. On the other hand, my grandmother who was born and raised in Bangalore is well-versed with “Nati-style” cuisines. Her Donne biryani is our family’s favorite. A perfect blend of the two ideas led to the inception of RNR. In fact, to not compromise on the authenticity and taste, my sister and I started the brand with my grandmother’s recipe of Donne biryani. Founded in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, RNR was tested as a delivery brand in the lockdown. With RNR, we were one of the first to successfully position Donne biryani in the mainstream segment of the market. 

Tell us about yourself, your previous jobs/ventures? What were you doing before this startup?

A strong affinity for food and a liking for a variety of cuisines right from my childhood inclined me towards venturing out my entrepreneurial journey in the food and hospitality industry. An internship in Park Plaza further inclined my interest towards starting up in the hospitality sector. At the same time, I was also inspired by my dad’s business; he runs an extensive chain of restaurants. All these factors together drove me to wet my feet in the hospitality segment. 

3. Where is it based? Why do you think that is the best place for you?

I’m based in Bangalore; this city being the startup capital and most competitive for the f & b industry, we were sure that if we succeed in Bangalore we will be able to in any other part of the country! Hence, Bangalore was the best test for us. Also adding to the factor that the acceptance of the Donne biryani ought to be proven in the state of origin before we take it pan India.

As a startup founder, what are you paranoid about? What keeps you awake at night?

What keeps me awake is the goal to represent our State’s origins of Donne biryani and popularize not just in Bangalore but nationwide. The responsibility we hold upon our shoulders is too big, hence none of the petty issues make me paranoid

Who are your competitors and how are you better than them?

In the biryani market, particularly Donne biryani, there are many players in the unorganized sector. RNR is one of the first to position Donne biryani/ Naati style cuisine in the mainstream segment.

How hard is it to have a work-life balance as a startup founder and how do you manage it?

Work has more or less been deeply entrenched in my lifestyle. Many times, there have been instances where I am spending time with my family and friends and I spontaneously speak about work, although this isn’t considered working. In a way, everything we do, be it socializing, partying, etc., work follows. Per say, maintaining work-life balance is indeed important. Sometimes, we just need to disconnect from work to rejuvenate the personal aspect of life in terms of pursuing a hobby or interests.

Have you raised funding? If yes, then we would like to know the details. If not then please tell us if you are looking to raise.

Not yet.

What’s the biggest misconception people have about you? Why do they have that? What’s the reality?

Nothing as yet.

What gets you excited about your venture?

We hold upon our shoulders to take Namma Donne Biryani to great heights & position it as one of the top pan India. It’s not just about the brand, it’s more about popularising this cuisine which originated in our beloved state. Hence the bigger motive we aim to achieve keeps us going & excited day after day. Our tag says “Namma Donne Biryani” & we present our Biryani in a royal packaging to represent the pride we instill in serving this dish! The genesis & motive of this startup keeps us going & excited!

Tell us how a day in your life looks like? Your schedule for a day right from the time you get up till you hit the bed at night.

As a co-founder there are multiple aspects that make you slide through the day. No one day is the same as the other. The only part which is uniform is the daily & weekly reviews & planning targets for the coming days.

Tell us about your team and how did you meet each other

We are a small team with 60 members including working staff. The decision making is entirely by my sister and myself. We have two operational managers & 3 members in our corporate team. Every team member is interviewed and shortlisted by us.