From Rs 200 to a global empire: The Dosa Plaza story

In 1992, a 19-year-old from Tamil Nadu stepped off a train in Mumbai with just ₹200 in his pocket and a dream that would later feed millions.

Prem Ganapathy didn’t arrive chasing fame or fortune; he simply wanted a job. But after being cheated by a recruiter and stranded in a strange city, he washed dishes to survive. What he built from there Dosa Plaza, a global South Indian food brand is now part of India’s favourite entrepreneurial folklore.

From survival to street smarts

Ganapathy’s early days in Mumbai were harsh. He slept in small lodges, worked 16-hour shifts, and saved every rupee. But in the chaos of Mumbai’s streets, he noticed one thing: people loved dosas but had limited choices. Most vendors sold only the classic plain or masala versions. Sensing an opportunity, he borrowed a small sum and set up his own handcart outside an office complex in Bandra.

His business model was simple affordable prices, consistent taste, and cleanliness. Within weeks, office-goers queued up for his crisp dosas. Yet, it wasn’t just about serving food; Ganapathy watched what his customers liked, asked for feedback, and constantly tweaked his menu. When someone once joked, “Why not a Chinese dosa?” he went home and invented the Schezwan Dosa. That spark of curiosity changed everything.

Building a brand one dosa at a time

By 1997, his cart had evolved into a small eatery but Ganapathy was already thinking bigger. He realised the power of branding and consistency. When malls began reshaping India’s food culture, he launched Dosa Plaza in a Navi Mumbai mall in 2003. The menu now featured over 100 varieties of dosas, from Paneer Tikka to American Delight.

Franchising became his next leap. Ganapathy ensured every outlet maintained strict hygiene and uniform recipes rare for street-food-inspired chains. Slowly, his humble brand crossed Indian borders, reaching New Zealand, the Middle East, and even Fiji. For a man who once couldn’t afford bus fare, the sight of “Dosa Plaza” boards in foreign cities was poetic justice.

Lessons from the handcart

Ganapathy’s journey isn’t just a business story; it’s a study in grassroots entrepreneurship. He never had an MBA, but his instinct for customer experience, innovation, and brand trust was sharper than any formal degree could teach. “You can’t buy loyalty you earn it, one satisfied customer at a time,” he once said in an interview.

Today, Dosa Plaza operates 100+ outlets and continues to expand. But its founder’s true legacy lies in the mindset he represents: that small beginnings aren’t limitations they’re launchpads.