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India-based global entrepreneur Teja Chekuri on acquiring 9 US Dunkin' franchisees and expanding in the US

- NUSRA

India’s Midas touch is slowly spreading across global shores. Recently, India-based global entrepreneur Teja Chekuri acquired nine US Dunkin franchisees for $18,000,000 via his company Golden Horn Group. Chekuri, together with his business partner Mitesh Patel led the deal, and now they aim to expand to 150 outlets in the next 5 years across several US cities. Currently, the nine are situated in Sharon, Hanover, Weymouth, Braintree and Quincy in the state of Massachusetts, and will be operated under OM Network LLC. Retailer spoke to Chekuri on his plans to expand his restaurant business and grow both in Indian and global markets. Excerpts from the interview:

You are running a multi-brand company across India and the US. How has been the journey so far?

While the journey has been quite challenging, it has also been immensely fulfilling. To grow from a single outlet to a multi-brand food and beverage venture with a presence across the US and India is nothing less than a dream come true. However, there is a lot of work still to be done and our focus is to grow and become the foremost hospitality chain across the globe.

From taking an Indian restaurant to the global market to acquiring a global brand franchisee, how was the journey?

It has not been easy, but I have always believed in putting together a team to pull through such challenges. We had our fair share of successes and learnings, but we strived towards our vision.

You recently signed a franchisee agreement with Dunkin to operate at its 9 locations in the US. How much time did it take and what were the challenges?