Would love a low-down / interview from a founder of one of these chains (there's also Curry Up now in the bay area) on the economics of making an indian fast-food joint. It might be a one-sentence article saying "demand", but I am sure there is a lot to unpack.
I've always thought that tandoori chicken was an unexplored opportunity. Think a similar model to the orignal Boston Chicken (now Boston Market), or El Pollo Loco on the west coast of the U.S.
They had one of these places in downtown Palo Alto (Town and Country shopping center). It lasted a year or two, despite being directly across from Palo Alto High School, which every day mobbed the shopping center with lunch traffic. I was surprised it went under so quickly. Apparently it is not quite the holy grail after all? I went there and liked it well enough!
Had a few of those around my place growing up (Nikki’s, around Orange County, CA), but they’ve all gone out of business by now. Absolute tragedy - the food was terrific and dirt cheap.
To find that holy grail just replace -as-a-service with -do-it-yourself. The first time is hard. The eleventy-first time is like breathing. Plus a lot of satisfaction.