Bistro 57, a fast-growing vegetarian café chain based in Delhi, has successfully raised seed funding as it looks to accelerate its expansion across India. The funding round, led by undisclosed investors, will be used to scale operations, open new outlets, invest in technology, and enhance the brand's supply chain infrastructure.
Founded in 2015 by entrepreneurs Ankit Aggarwal and Siddharth Gupta, Bistro 57 began as a humble kiosk near Delhi University, serving affordable coffee, shakes, and vegetarian quick bites. Since then, the brand has evolved into a well-recognized quick-service restaurant (QSR) chain with over 30 outlets across key Indian cities including Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Kanpur, Gwalior, Dehradun, Faridabad, and Gurgaon.
The company's takeaway-centric model has been a key contributor to its rapid growth. By focusing on compact, cost-efficient store formats, Bistro 57 minimizes rental expenses and optimizes profitability. Its lean operations make it a favorable choice for franchise partners, especially in high-footfall areas such as malls, educational hubs, and transit points.
The brand currently offers three franchise models—takeaway, small café, and large café—with investment requirements ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹35 lakh. Each franchisee receives full support from the parent company, including help with site selection, interior design, equipment procurement, staff training, marketing, and backend supply chain setup.
“We’ve always believed in bringing high-quality, vegetarian-friendly food and beverages to the masses at an affordable price,” said co-founder Ankit Aggarwal. “This new funding will empower us to bring Bistro 57 to more cities and neighborhoods, while also enhancing our product innovation and customer experience.”
Known for its wide-ranging menu of over 50 beverage options including coffees, shakes, and coolers, Bistro 57 also serves a variety of vegetarian snacks such as sandwiches, garlic toasts, nachos, and pizzas. The brand positions itself as a pocket-friendly hangout spot for students and young professionals, with its outlets often featuring a vibrant, contemporary ambience.
With a growing demand for vegetarian and health-conscious dining options, Bistro 57 is well-positioned to capitalize on changing consumer preferences. According to co-founder Siddharth Gupta, the company plans to open 100+ outlets over the next 2-3 years, focusing on tier-2 and tier-3 cities where there is increasing appetite for modern café culture and QSR brands.
Despite pandemic-related challenges in 2020–21, the company demonstrated resilience and continued its expansion. Financial data from FY2021 shows the company maintained strong fundamentals, and the latest infusion of capital is expected to significantly boost growth momentum.
Bistro 57 also plans to invest in digital transformation, including improved online ordering, delivery integration, and customer loyalty programs. These efforts aim to deepen engagement and strengthen its competitive edge in an increasingly tech-driven food service market.
As India's vegetarian QSR segment continues to expand, Bistro 57’s affordable pricing, scalable model, and strong customer base make it a brand to watch. With new funding in hand and a clear vision for the future, Bistro 57 is poised to redefine how India experiences vegetarian café culture.
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