A Delicious Experience awaits for Covai!
‘There is no sincerer love than the love of food’, said one of the finest playwrights, George Bernard Shaw.
The places that provide great food attracts greater love & following from customers, despite the distance they are at. ‘TN-43 Chain of Restaurants’, have become such a place that draw’s customers from every corner now. The brand ‘TN-43’ is the brainchild of Mujeeb ur Rahman, a bold businessman from Kerala
His restaurants are a hit in the Nilgris and Karamadai, that they have been receiving frequent visitors from various parts of Covai. Yes, a vast number of those riders from Coimbatore we find at Mettupalayam National Highway 67 in the recent months have been frequenting TN-43 Chain of Restaurants located at Karamadai and Ooty.
Mujeeb recently launched Arabian Express – which is a part of the TN-43 restaurants, in Brookfields Mall, Coimbatore. The Covai Mail had the opportunity to have an interview with Mujeeb and talk about his restaurant, food and lot other exciting stuffs.
I Have No Competition; I Fear No Competition
– Mujeeb ur Rahman, Chairman, TN-43 Chain of Restaurants
Mujeeb was very happy to share that this is his 22nd shop. Why would not he be happy! His TN-43 journey began in Ooty, Nilgris 4 years ago. He now has 11 successful shops there at the hills and 11 shops down in the planes.
Like many successful people, to Mujeeb, his dad was his inspiration. He was a vegetable merchant and began his business in 1972. Drawing moral support and strength from him, Mujeeb became an entrepreneur to achieve big in life. But not all was a cake-walk for him. He had to jump many hurdles and pick himself up from great falls. In spite of all that, like a true-blue entrepreneur, he refused to give up in his journey; and that he says is one of his secrets to success.
What made you choose ‘TN-43’ as your brand?
Well, My journey began at Nilgiris and I thought it would be easy and simple for our customers to remember our brand. Whenever a customer travels to Ooty, he will be easily reminded of our brand. The registration code on the vehicle ahead of him will make them think of visiting our outlets.
What brought you to Coimbatore?
I think the best food lovers are in Coimbatore. I have seen people from Covai drive to Karamadai and Ooty to taste TN-43 Restaurants’ foods. So I thought why not start one in Coimbatore and give tasty and delicious foods to people here itself!
I have set up one outlet in the Food Court of Brookfields Mall now. Another one will come close to The Cinemas. We have planned to set up one at Thudiyalur area soon. We have also planned for a few more outlets in popular places here, which we will announce in the future.
Tell us what makes your outlets unique.
While our outlets offer Arabic Cuisine hits and South Indian cuisine hits; there are certain things that make us unique in the market today. Our food tastes very much like home-made food because all my central-kitchen staff are women. They prepare the food in the authentic way; we do not use any packed ingredients or flavors. Everything is prepared by our staff.
We find the food that is popular in our outlet’s location, and offer a customized version of it to our customers. Apart from this, you have to know that our snacks are broasted. For instance the samosa or the cutlet you find at my outlets are broasted, taste good as they are filled with good-stuffings. I do not offer hundreds of food stuffs in my menu; just 30- 40 items that are hits, specialized and affordable. I also change my menu every month, so that customers get to try something new and unique.
How affordable are TN-43 Restaurants?
I have made my food very affordable for my customers. We have both veg and non-veg foods. Our range starts at Rs. 10 and goes upto Rs. 450. As simple as that. Normally in a mall, no one offers a delicious cup of tea for Rs. 10 but at TN-43, you can get one for sure. No mall in India offers a cup of chai for Rs.10 in India.
While other brands’ menu begin at Rs. 200 and go upto Rs. 700; I have kept mine very reasonable because I want people from all walks of life to try my food, and become my customers. I firmly believe that I have no competition and I fear no competition. I am a very positive person, and that helps me carry this company to new levels.
What are the must-try items at your outlet in Brookfields?
You take one look at my snacks, and the next second you will plan to buy one. I have branded my Shawarma as the World’s Best Shawarma. I get customers who are from US.
I have got fabulous comments for my shawarmas because they are so authentic. And you should try my Grill Chicken. They are just delicious. My words cannot do justice, you have to try them.
How healthy are your food ?
I often eat food from my restaurant. My food is prepared like how families prepare food at home. My cooks keep in mind about our customers’ health in every step of preparation.
I firmly believe that food should be prepared and served in an ethical way; and my team upholds that virtue every time. I am very faithful to my customers and sincere in the way it is prepared. We maintain high safety and hygiene standards, that anytime an inspection can be held to see our standards.
Any plans for expansion beyond Covai?
Well, there are some expansion plans in my mind. I can tell you that we will be in the entire South India in 1 year, and you can expect us in every mall in South India soon.
I invite everyone in Coimbatore to visit my restaurant and taste my food. Try it once, and you will become my regular customer and a fan of TN-43.