P RAJAGOPAL

Founder, Hotel Saravana Bhavan

Early Life

Birth - 1947 ,Punnaiyadi Father onion farmer Odd jobs cleaner, attendant Chennai 1961 First shop - K.K.Nagar in 1968 Fallout Murugan Stores

Family

Two wives First wife - Valli Second wife - Krithika Two sons-Shiva Kumar and Saravanan Shiva Kumar - human trafficking case, November 2008

P. Rajagopal The Entrepreneur

Remark by an employee Kamatchi Bhavan Partner Ganapathy

How HSB became successful

The first 5 months Extra capital The 6th month USP No compromise on quality at any cost

Other Factors

Employee hygiene and cleanliness Customers suggestions/complaints Constant experimentation Constant consultations with food specialists Innovations - banana leaf on plate

Phenomenal Growth and Accolades South India 25 outlets, North India 2 outlets, Abroad 30 outlets 1.2 lakh customers daily1 Earnings around 1 crore daily1

Awards2

- Premis Bersih - Malaysia - The Best Restaurant for the Year 2006 - Muscat - Award for the sake of honour to Shri P. Raja Gopal - conferred by
The Rotary Club of Madras in the year 1993. - Best Employer-Employee Relationship Award to Shri P. Raja Gopal - conferred by The Rotary Club of Madras, Chennai Patna in the year 1996. - Uzhaippal Uyarntha Sathanaiyalar Viruthu - given by Adayar Ananda Bhavan on 09-09-2005 - Best Achiever Award - given by Mr.A.C.Muthaiah on 12-10-2001 - Best Achiever Periyar Award - Mr.K.Veeramani, General Secretary, ThiravidarKazhakam on 30-04-1994 - Silver Jubilee Achiever Award - given by Tamilnadu Hotels Association on 07-01-2006

Formula for success

Tripod approach Employees, customers and product3 Food taste and hygiene Excellent variety in menu2 Quality Management System Constant updating of menu Constant workforce motivation

Formula for Success

Staff - neatly dressed in uniforms Courteousness Job security to employees Increased pay substantially Accomodation for employees families

Formula for success

Annual grants to visit families in villages Paid for employees childrens education New clothes to employees during Pongal LIC Policy premiums for employees Medical Insurance Scheme under Employee State Insurance Scheme Vehicles, according to position in Hotel

Formula for Success

Mani Ammal Marriage Scheme Help to parents of employees Foreign training Training in other Indian cities Rajagopal says3, As we give these facilities to our employees, they have a zest in their lives and a confidence in their futuremany come seeking jobs to ustheir basic problems in life being solved, they are able to work with dedication.It is no exaggeration to say that because we have workers with us who are dedicated and devoted, Saravana Bhavan has grown from strength to strength.

Diversification

Fast Food, Take Away, Home Delivery and Outdoor Catering2 Bakery & Confectionary (Fresh Bakes) Ice creams (Saravanaa Dairy Rich Ice Cream)

Personal Characteristics

Visionary Philanthropist Shrewd businessman Hard worker Says Rajagopal3 My profession is business..Business is one of societys activities.if society will prosper, my business will prospermy goal is not simply to get profit from my business.. there should be honesty and justice in my businessout of my earnings, I should help others to the extent that I can. That is why we dont throw away any leftovers in the kitchen.. we distribute it everyday among the poor.

Downfall

Power corrupts.. Gave in to his amoral instincts In jail for murder.2

References
1.

2. 3.

Pushpa Iyengar, April 06, 2009, Nemesis On His Platter, http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?2 40156 http://www.saravanabhavan.com/restaurant s.php Naresh Kumar,To Serve With Love, http://www.dharenchadha.com/articles8.ht m

THANK YOU