Potful

Potful is a cloud kitchen startup based in Bengaluru, India, specializing in handi biryani, a traditional cooking method using clay pots to enhance aroma and flavor. Founded in 2017 by Lokesh Krishnan, Potful aims to offer authentic biryani from across India.

Key Highlights:

• Concept: Potful prepares biryani in 'handis' (clay pots), which allows for slow, uniform heat transfer.

• Menu: The company offers a diverse biryani selection, including Hyderabadi, Kolkata, Lucknowi, and Bengaluru Donne Biryani, totaling 107 items and combos.

• Operations: Potful operates 25 cloud kitchens across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai. Each order is freshly prepared.

• Sourcing: Spices are sourced from Kerala plantations, while chicken, proteins, and vegetables are sourced locally.

• Sales Channels: 90% of sales come from Swiggy and Zomato, with additional sales through its app, website, and WhatsApp.

• Community Impact: Potful supports over 100 potters from Chinnandahalli village near Hoskote, Karnataka, by providing machines to make the handis, which has quadrupled their production.

• Market: The cloud kitchen segment in India is projected to reach $2.9 billion by 2032.

• Challenges: The company initially faced challenges due to being a non-restaurant brand.

Lokesh Krishnan, the founder, previously worked with Amul and Metro Cash & Carry. Potful India Pvt. Ltd. was founded in 2017. Potful won the Times Food Award 2021 for Best Biryani brand. Potful projects a revenue of Rs 100 crore for FY25 and plans to raise Rs 50 crore to expand in South and West India. The company aims to be a thousand-crore brand by 2030.