Is starting a Quick Service Restaurant with a ₹30 lakh loan a big risk?
let's find out
Hey you,
We know, it’s the end of a long Tuesday.
You’ve been in back-to-back calls, pushing deadlines, or just trying to keep your head above water.
So here’s something real to close your day with a story that’s raw, bold, and painfully relatable.
Today, let’s talk about a 29-year-old from India.
📌 The story of an upcoming entrepreneur
He works the night shift in logistics, pulling in a base salary of ₹40,000 per month. But by day, he's not sleeping; he's caring for his mother, who undergoes dialysis 2–3 times a week due to chronic kidney disease. His aging father also depends on him.
And sleep?
That’s a luxury he hasn’t known in a while.
But then comes a big change in his life:
He just took a ₹30 lakh loan to launch a Quick Service Restaurant (QSR).
Yes, you read that right. In the middle of financial strain, emotional exhaustion, and family responsibilities, he’s betting big.
📌 But the main question is why?
He calls it his “final push” - a make-or-break attempt to take charge of his future.
The restaurant setup is estimated to cost around ₹15–17 lakh. The remaining will (hopefully) serve as working capital. And his goal is to build a steady income, escape the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle, and give his parents the life they deserve.
But the dream comes with some tough baggage:
A high-interest loan
An unpredictable industry
A mentally and physically drained founder
And no prior F&B experience
Still, he showed up on Reddit, not to ask for money, but for advice. That’s rare. And what followed was even rarer.
📌The advice that you can also use
Some replies came from fellow restaurant owners and consultants:
✔️ “Start small - a food cart, cloud kitchen, or shared space can save you lakhs in the beginning.”
This is actually really practical advice.
Jumping into a full-fledged QSR setup might feel exciting, but it’s also a money sink if things go wrong.
Starting lean allows you to test your menu, build a loyal customer base, and understand the daily grind of running a food business without the heavy financial commitment.
Many experienced entrepreneurs recommended starting with a cloud kitchen or a shared space to minimize fixed costs.
✔️ “You’ll need 4–10 months of working capital. Setup cost is just the beginning.”
It’s easy to assume that once the kitchen is set up, the money will start flowing.
But the reality is quite different. You need cash to survive the months when business is slow, or until word of mouth kicks in. Rent, salaries, electricity, raw materials - these costs add up quickly.
So, working capital is what keeps you afloat while the business finds its footing.
✔️ “Location is everything - don’t compromise on footfall.”
You could serve the best food in town, but if no one knows where you are, it won’t matter.
Visibility, accessibility, and foot traffic are non-negotiables when it comes to physical food outlets. Choosing a cheaper location with low traffic may seem smart financially, but it can severely limit growth.
So, pick a spot where people naturally gather, near offices, colleges, or high-street areas.
✔️ And perhaps the most grounding advice of all: “This is not just a financial decision. It’s a lifestyle shift. Be ready for your social life to take a hit.”
📌 What makes this story special?
It’s not just about starting a restaurant. It’s about taking a leap when the world tells you to stay put.
This is someone who’s juggling caregiving, a full-time job, and now, entrepreneurship, with barely any safety net. That kind of courage doesn’t show up on LinkedIn. But it’s out there, quietly burning through the nights.
This is what the Bharat hustle looks like.
📌 And, what can you take away from this?
If you're reading this and sitting on your own “maybe someday” idea, this story might be the nudge you need. But also the caution flag.
Build a runway. Cause, hope is not a business model.
Talk to those who’ve done it before you throw your savings into the fire.
Start lean, and validate demand before you scale.
Take care of your mental health, as burnout will tank your business before the market does.
And above all: ask for help. People want to help more than you think.
The internet may be noisy, but it’s still a place where real stories connect people. And sometimes, all it takes is hitting “post” on your story.
So, that’s it for today. If you enjoyed this edition, subscribe to hear from us every day!
See ya 👋
