From Odisha, Sourabh Khandelwal’s love for the iconic street food become the idea that conceptualized his firm Dahibara-Aludam and formed the foundation for his business. Growing up, he relished the flavors of this beloved delicacy, but his professional path took him far from the streets of his hometown. The idea behind Dahibara Express came from Sourabh’s longing for the comforting taste of Odisha’s street food while living away from home. Realizing the absence of a platform that could offer authentic regional cuisine on a national scale, he sought to bring a piece of his heritage to food lovers across India. The company began as a bootstrapped initiative, with Sourabh wearing multiple hats—overseeing menu planning, quality control, and customer engagement.
His passion and dedication quickly paid off, as Dahibara Express grew from a small food outlet to a recognizable brand, setting the stage for national expansion through a franchise model.One of the most important lessons he learned through his journey was the importance of documentation. In the early stages, it was tempting to rely on verbal commitments and informal agreements, but he quickly realized the potential pitfalls of such approaches. With every deal, partnership, or agreement, proper documentation became an indispensable part of his operations. Additionally, he credits much of his success to the mentorship and guidance he received from seasoned advisors. The startup world can be unpredictable, and having a strong support system helped him navigate through the inevitable challenges that came his way. A key takeaway from his journey is the significance of building a reliable team that shares the same vision. For Dahibara Express in 2025, he plans centered around scaling the brand while remaining rooted in its core values—authenticity, quality, and customer satisfaction. His goal is to not only expand the brand across India but also to take it to international markets, making Odisha’s signature dish a global culinary sensation. In 2024, Dahibara Express made significant strides, opening 10+ new franchise outlets in key urban centers, launching new menu items, and achieving a 30% growth in revenue compared to the previous year. He believes, It’s a continuous journey, shaped by each challenge, learning opportunity, and achievement along the way. From the inception of the idea to the launch of the first outlet, it took months of hard work, sleepless nights, and unwavering belief in the brand’s potential. Today, as Dahibara Express gains momentum, he sees success as an evolving process—a journey that continues to unfold with every new customer, every new outlet, and every new opportunity. One of the biggest obstacles was establishing credibility for a niche cuisine in a highly competitive food market.
Educating customers about the unique flavors of Odisha’s street food required a deep understanding of marketing and a clear brand identity. Furthermore, maintaining quality and consistency across multiple locations while scaling the business was another significant hurdle. Seeing the joy on customers’ faces as they savor the authentic flavors of Dahibara-Aludam, and hearing stories of how people have connected with Odisha’s food culture, keeps him motivated. “It’s not just about selling food; it’s about creating an experience that resonates emotionally with people,” To budding entrepreneurs, he says, “Stay persistent and trust the process.” Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. It demands patience, perseverance, and an unwavering belief in your vision. As he aptly puts it, success is a journey, not a sprint. Embrace the obstacles, learn from your mistakes, and stay committed to your goals. Through hard work and dedication, the rewards will eventually follow, and the possibilities are limitless.
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