“Building Trust is not a one-time task; it’s like the promise of flavour on a food package- it takes time and consistency to truly deliver.”- Manish Madan.
In the rapidly evolving food industry, Manish Madan is leading the way with Regal Kitchen. Founded in 2008, Regal Kitchen has emerged as a pioneer in the Ready-To-Eat [RTE] and Ready-To-Cook [RTC] meal segments, transforming the convenience and authenticity associated with enjoying meals. Discover the inspiring journey of Manish Madan in this article, where you’ll find out how he is changing the landscape of the food industry with Regal Kitchen Foods.
Early Life
Source: Regal Kitchen Foods
At the age of 23, Manish began assisting his father in their catering business. He identified that the disorganised catering industry has become a barrier to innovation and scaling. He began reading books like ‘Founder’ and ‘Business Maharajas’, finding his path. Motivated by MDH, which operated as a family, where all took pride in being a part of the company, such as employees, vendors, Manish decided to establish Regal Kitchen Foods with the same motive.
Beginning of Regal Kitchen Foods
Source: LinkedIn
Recognised among the leading innovative business leaders, Manish Madan has spearheaded the quest to revolutionise the dining experience through the introduction of high-quality, vegetarian, ready-to-eat meals. Manish identified the rising demand for easy but genuine Indian foods all around the world. Therefore, he started Regal Kitchen Foods with a vision to provide delicious, healthy meals that suit the different taste buds throughout the world. Manish established product lines under brand names such as Reganic, Pasta Zing, Eat Regal, and Meal Delight.
Overcoming the Challenges
Regal Kitchen Foods initially was challenged with the instability of the raw material prices, but solved the challenge by bringing scalability to the business and signing contracts with vendors and farmers.
At first, it was quite slow in positioning itself in the competitive business world, but it overcame this by differentiating its products with the application of advanced technology, following trends, and modifying product offerings based on demand.
Securing certifications such as plant-based became a challenge due to the significant investment required, as well as the need for staff training. Manish, however, addressed the challenge by focusing on the development of quality meals, training the staff, and meeting financial requirements.
Key to Success
Source: Regal Kitchen
Regal Kitchen’s success is in embracing innovation. Their Innovation Centre acts as a platform for creating new products that meet the changing needs of consumers. The company, with the help of sophisticated technology and culinary skills, has built a diverse set of RTE and RTC meals, in the form of Heat & Eat Indian Meal Boxes, Simmer Sauces, and DIY Curry Meal Kits.
They prioritise applying quality and sustainability practices to their operations. They have attained 20+ notable certifications, including Fair Trade and Non-GMO, to guarantee that their ingredients are produced and sourced ethically. Through this attainment, the company also empowers farmers and encourages sustainable practices in their industry.
Moreover, they have demonstrated their dedication to food safety through the implementation of retort-based food meals, which enable the highest possible levels of stability and shelf-life. This method also guarantees consumers’ safe consumption of meals, as well as nutrients.
Hence, the four pillars of the company, Convenience, Health, Affordability, and Taste [CHAT], have been the constant key for success, enabling 50% year-on-year growth. In FY24, the total operating income of the company increased by 32% to Rs. 123.88 crore. With an intention to make a difference, the company has expanded their presence across 18+ countries, including the U.S.A., Canada, the U.K., and many more, serving 300+ million meals worldwide.
Empowering Communities
Manish believes that ‘Business is a community’, thus he works in the notion of communal development and collective prosperity. Following Regal Kitchen’s cooperative spirit with its workers, consumers, farmers, and suppliers, they practice the culture of respect and assistance for one another.
Regal Kitchen’s annual Foundation Day is a reflection of Manish’s philosophy by getting its employees from all over the globe together to celebrate success, exchange stories, and experience the feeling of oneness in the company.
Awards and Recognitions
- Regal Kitchen Foods has received the BRCGS Plant-Based Certification in Asia.
- The company was awarded Exporter of the Year in 2021 at the Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards.
- In 2022, the company was recognised with the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in International Trade.
- In 2024, the company was recognised as the Family Business of the Year at the Community Support and Involvement Award.
Future Plans
Regal Kitchen continues its emphasis on providing convenient, genuine, and sustainable meal solutions. Under the guidance of Manish, the company is ready to innovate and evolve further with the changing needs of customers, working towards becoming a long-lasting, trusted company in the ready-to-eat meal sector. They will also increase their manufacturing capacity and establish a new manufacturing plant, aiming to further enhance their scalability in operations and meet the increasing demand for ready-to-eat foods.
Conclusion
Manish’s story in Regal Kitchen Foods is the evolution of innovation, quality, and community in the food industry. With his visionary leadership, the company has changed the way meals are consumed for convenience and also transformed the way it operates on sustainability and ethical practices in the food manufacturing industry.
Entrepreneurs with an innovative mindset, such as Manish, have become a strength of the nation, driving the nation’s initiatives and startup economy globally. With Manish’s streamlined way of thinking and emphasis on quality and health, Regal Kitchen Foods has stood as a veritable convenience for people around the world who demand convenience.
