From Dishwasher To Owning Restaurant Chain Sagar Ratna: Remarkable Journey Of Jayaram Banan (Photo on X SK @sruthijith)
Jayaram Banan, also known as Dosa King of North, is the embodiment of perseverance and determination who started from a humble beginning and now owns a business empire. His journey to becoming the founder of the famous food chain “Sagar Ratna” inspires everyone, regardless of their profession.
Born in Udupi, Karnataka, into an ordinary family, after failing in school, Banan left his home at the age of 13 for Mumbai with a handful of money borrowed from his father.
Currently the owner of a restaurant chain with an impressive annual turnover of Rs 300 crore, Banan started his career by working as a dishwasher in a Mumbai cafeteria in 1967. earning Rs 18. Here starts the foundations of Banan”s business empire, earning a meagre Rs 18.
A defining turn in his life, Banan moved to Delhi in 1974 and worked as a canteen manager before starting his own restaurant, Sagar Ratna, which took him to his luck. The humble beginning in 1986 soon earned him a reputation in the North with its culinary South Indian dishes, captivating the tough and heart of customers.
The unforgettable culinary experience that the people received from Sagar Ratna gave Banan the tile “Dosa King of the North” while establishing a strong customer base and expanding his market and presence in the sphere.
The restaurant placed premium pricing on its items, and due to the quality and taste of the foods, customers were still drawn to the restaurant, leading him to the pinnacle of his business. With this, he could open international market, starting restaurants across Canada, Singapore, and Bangkok.
The title he earned over the years “Dosa King of the North” heralds the influence Banan enjoyed in the Northern India, which helped him expand his restaurant chains.
he spends his time on a Sunday afternoon—manning the door at one of his restaurants when it’s 45 degrees outside—tells you more about the essence of entrepreneurship than a thousand podcast episodes.
Now, he has over 100 restaurants across the world in different franchises such as Sagar Ratna, Sagar, Swagat and others. He still spends his time on a Sunday afternoon—manning the door at his restaurant when without caring the temperature serves as the best lesson for all in life. The relentless pursuit of growth, entrepreneurial mindset, unfailing hard work, and every other quality can be seen in Banan”s remarkable life.
