Restaurant India News: From Viral Tea Stall to National Franchise: Dolly Chaiwala Rolls Out Pan-India Expansion Plans

Sunil Patel, popularly known as Dolly Chaiwala, has announced plans to convert his tea-selling venture into a nationwide franchise business. Known for his flamboyant tea-making style and distinctive personal branding at a roadside stall in Nagpur, Dolly rose to prominence after a video of him serving tea to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates went viral earlier this year.

Leveraging his social media visibility, Dolly shared on his Instagram page, Dolly Ki Tapri Nagpur that he is now inviting franchise applications. His post described the initiative as “India’s first viral street brand” and framed it as a business opportunity for individuals with a passion for growth. The caption stated: “From carts to flagship cafes, we’re launching nationwide and looking for real people with real passion to carry this dream forward,” and added: “If you’ve ever wanted to build something big, something desi, something truly legendary — this is your moment. Limited cities. Unlimited chai. Applications open now.” Interested applicants were directed to a Google form shared through his Instagram Stories.

The franchise offering comes in three models, each suited to different investment levels. The most economical option — a cart stall—is priced between Rs 4.5 lakh and Rs 6 lakh. The mid-level store format is estimated at Rs 20–22 lakh, while the premium flagship café model is projected to cost between Rs 39 lakh and Rs 43 lakh.

The debate escalated when a tweet alleged that Dolly’s current stall in Nagpur’s Civil Lines remains an encroachment on a public footpath, raising questions about how a business without formal licenses can offer franchises. Critics posted remarks such as: “How is this possible? An encroacher offering such things,” and “Just one Bill Gates visit made a business model out of his viral tea-making style.”

Despite the polarized opinions, Dolly continues to operate his original roadside stall, reportedly serving 350 to 500 cups of tea daily. At the same time, he maintains a large digital following with over 5 million Instagram followers and more than 2 million subscribers on YouTube. His current estimated net worth stands at around Rs 10 lakh.