Invest in Tradition. Build a Legacy.

To qualify, you must meet the basic requirements based on the model you choose:

For FOFO (Franchisee Owned, Franchisee Operated):

• Ability to invest starting at ₹75–80 lakhs (including ₹15L franchise fee)
• A proposed location (or openness to work with our team to find one)
• Willingness to be actively involved in daily operations or appoint a manager
• Commitment to complete setup within 60–90 days

For FICO (Franchisee Invested, Company Operated):

• Investment capacity of starting at ₹75–85 lakhs (including ₹15L franchise fee)
• Readiness to invest in select cities approved by the Kerala Café team
• Comfortable with a fixed 6% return on revenue and a 4–4.5 year payback
• No daily operational involvement — passive income model

In both cases, you’ll need to provide a launch marketing budget (~₹5 lakhs) and basic operating capital to sustain the first few months post-launch.

Whether you're opting for the FOFO or FICO model, here's how the process works:

1. Submit Interest & Evaluation
   Get in touch with our franchise team. We'll evaluate your preferred city, investment capacity, and match you with the right model (FOFO or FICO).
2. Pay LOI Advance to Confirm Your Spot
   To initiate the process, a ₹10 lakh LOI advance is required. This confirms your interest, blocks your selected territory, and holds it for up to 3 months while we finalise the site.
3. Finalize Location & Sign Agreement
   Once the site is approved, you’ll sign the final Franchise Agreement and pay the remaining ₹5 lakhs of the ₹15 lakh franchise fee.
4. Setup, Training & Launch (60–90 Days)
   Project execution begins immediately after agreement. Depending on the model:

• FOFO: You’ll coordinate setup with our support and receive operational training.
• FICO: We manage the entire setup; you receive monthly updates and begin earning once live.

he ROI depends on the model you choose and the performance of the outlet, but here’s what you can expect:

FOFO Model (Franchisee Operated):

• Annual ROI: Typically 10–15% per year
• Payback Period: 36–45 months
  Returns may be higher if you actively manage the outlet and optimise costs.

FICO Model (Brand Operated):

• Fixed Return: 6% of monthly net revenue
• Payback Period: 48–52 months (projected)
  Ideal for passive investors looking for stable, hands-free returns in select high-potential cities.

All ROI figures are based on projected revenues and operational benchmarks. Actual performance may vary by location and efficiency.

The FOFO model typically requires a total investment of around ₹75 to 80 lakhs. This includes the franchise fee, kitchen equipment, interiors, licenses, launch marketing, and other setup costs.

Out of this, ₹15 lakhs is the one-time franchise fee, which covers brand rights, SOPs, training, and operational support for a five-year term.

Franchisees are charged a monthly royalty of 6% on net revenue, along with a 2% admin fee, making it a total of 8% recurring fees.

You’ll also need to set aside about ₹5 lakhs for launch marketing and additional working capital for the initial months.

*All figures are projected estimates and will vary based on outlet location, real estate costs, and local operating conditions.

FSSAI License
Shop & Establishment Registration
Health/Trade License (Municipal)
GST Registration
Eating House License (where applicable)
Fire Safety NOC (if required by local authority)

 All central level marketing promoting the brand – Social Media, Radio, Newspaper, TV, etc is done by the brand. All location specific marketing like ads on Zomato/Swiggy, Flyers in local neighbourhood, Hoardings arounds the outlet, etc to be done by the outlet

A launch marketing budget of ₹5 lakhs is required at the time of opening the outlet. This covers the first 3–4 months of local promotions. Post-launch, it is recommended to allocate around 2% of monthly revenue towards ongoing marketing, tailored to your outlet’s performance and market.

 Yes, if the shop matches the requirement of the franchise model of the brand, the self owned shop can be considered, post due deligence carried out

The initial stock cost is calculated as 35 percent of the projected revenue for the first month. This ensures the outlet is fully stocked and prepared for operations from day one. The exact amount will vary depending on your outlet’s expected monthly sales.

Kerala Café charges a total monthly royalty of 8% on net revenue — this includes 6% brand royalty for brand access, SOPs, and ongoing support, and 2% admin fee for tech, marketing, and backend services.

Kerala Café offers two distinct franchise models designed to suit both active operators and passive investors:

FOFO (Franchisee-Owned, Franchisee-Operated)
– You manage the outlet daily, handle staffing, and drive growth.
– You pay an 8% monthly fee (6% brand royalty + 2% admin fee) based on net revenue.
– Ideal if you want full operational control and higher upside potential.

FICO (Franchisee-Invested, Company-Operated)
– You invest, and we run the outlet end‑to‑end — operations, staff, and execution.
– You get a fixed 6% monthly return on gross sales, with no operational involvement.
– Location approvals are handled by our expert team in select cities.
– Best suited for investors seeking predictable passive income.

Rental costs typically range between ₹1.5 lakhs to ₹3.5 lakhs per month for a 2000–3500 sq. ft Kerala Café outlet, depending on the city, location, and visibility. The brand recommends keeping rental costs under 10% of projected monthly revenue to maintain profitability.

In addition to setup and rent, you should plan for staff salaries, utility and maintenance expenses, marketing spend, initial stock, and working capital. Marketing requires ₹5 lakhs at launch and around 2 percent of monthly revenue thereafter. Initial stock is estimated at 35 percent of projected first-month revenue. It is recommended to keep ₹20 to 25 lakhs aside as operating capital for the initial few months. A detailed monthly profit and loss projection will be shared once the location is finalised.

For the FOFO model, we are expanding across Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities in South and West India. This includes metros and emerging markets such as Goa, Pune, Chennai, Nashik, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Mangalore, Mysore, and Vizag.

For the FICO model, we are currently focusing on high-potential zones in Kerala, Bangalore, and Pune, subject to site approval by our expert team.

In the FOFO model, the franchise partner is responsible for hiring. Kerala Café supports the process by helping source CVs, shortlist candidates, and conduct interviews in alignment with brand standards.

In the FICO model, hiring is fully managed by the Kerala Café operations team. The brand takes complete responsibility for recruiting, training, and deploying staff as per the outlet’s requirement.

For a typical Kerala Café dine-in outlet, you will need around 18 to 22 staff members. This includes kitchen staff, service team, housekeeping, and support. The exact number may vary based on outlet size, sales volume, and operational model.

Staff hiring begins around 2 months before the outlet launch. During this time, the team is placed at existing Kerala Café outlets for hands-on training. The franchise bears the staff costs during this period. Final on-site training and SOP implementation at the new outlet takes an additional 2 to 3 weeks. This ensures the entire team is fully prepared before going live. In the FICO model, this entire process is managed by the Kerala Café operations team.

Training is conducted in two phases. Initially, staff are placed at existing Kerala Café outlets for live operational exposure. Final training takes place on-site at the new outlet during the last 2 to 3 weeks before launch. This approach ensures the team is fully familiar with both brand standards and day-to-day operations. In the FICO model, all training is managed and executed by the Kerala Café team.

Refresher training is provided based on performance reviews or specific operational needs. Kerala Café conducts on-site or virtual training sessions to ensure consistency in service, food quality, and SOP adherence. This applies to both FOFO and FICO models as needed.

Kerala Café primarily targets urban middle-class consumers between the ages of 18 to 45 who are looking for authentic, value-driven South Indian meals. Our core audience includes working professionals, families, students, and food lovers seeking comfort, cultural connection, and consistent quality—both dine-in and delivery.

The standard franchise agreement term for a Kerala Café outlet is 5 years. Renewal terms can be discussed and extended based on performance and mutual agreement.

At the end of the standard five‑year term, renewing the Kerala Café franchise agreement requires a renewal fee equivalent to ₹5 lakhs. This covers continued access to brand materials, SOP updates, training refreshers, and system support for the next period.

A term sheet is a formal document issued after the initial ₹10 lakh LOI payment. It outlines key details of the franchise partnership, including city, location, model type (FOFO or FICO), franchise fee, royalty structure, and any special conditions. It confirms the franchisee’s intent and holds the territory for up to 3 months before signing the final agreement.

The outlet setup will be executed by vendors approved by Kerala Café to ensure quality and brand consistency. If you wish to use your own vendor, it may be allowed after review, provided they have proven experience in building professional F&B outlets. All project work must follow Kerala Café’s design and operational standards.

Yes, you can execute the project through your own vendor, but only after the vendor is reviewed and approved by Kerala Café. The vendor must have prior experience in setting up full-service restaurants and must strictly follow the brand’s design, quality, and operational specifications.