Restaurant India News: Vikas Khanna's Bungalow Hospitality Invests in Kolkata Chai to Expand US Presence

Bungalow Hospitality Investments, the hospitality investment platform co-founded by Michelin-starred chef Vikas Khanna and restaurateur Jimmy Rizvi, has announced a strategic partnership with New York-based chai brand Kolkata Chai, marking its first investment in the food and beverage sector.

Founded in 2019 by siblings Ani and Ayan Sanyal, Kolkata Chai was established with the objective of introducing authentic Indian chai to a wider American audience. The company currently operates café locations across New York City and retails a portfolio of chai blends and concentrates through its direct channels and national retail networks.

As part of the agreement, Bungalow Hospitality Investments has made a strategic investment in Kolkata Chai while also integrating the brand's offerings into Bungalow Hospitality Management's expanding restaurant portfolio in New York City.

Beginning this summer, Kolkata Chai's signature Masala Chai will be served at Bungalow Hospitality Management's restaurants, including GupShup and the upcoming Punjab Meet House. The partnership will also introduce a series of limited-time collaborative menu offerings later this fall.

The investment platform, led by Khanna and Rizvi, was recently established to identify, mentor and invest in emerging food and hospitality businesses. Kolkata Chai becomes the inaugural investment under this platform, reflecting Khanna's long-standing association with Indian tea culture and the founders' focus on authenticity.

In 2024, Emmy Award-winning actor and comedian Hasan Minhaj joined Kolkata Chai as an investor and business partner. Commenting on the latest development, Minhaj said, "To have him join the Kolkata Chai family is a genuinely exciting moment" for the company.

The partnership comes as South Asian food and beverage brands continue to expand their presence across the United States, with growing consumer interest driving restaurant openings and retail product launches. Alongside Kolkata Chai, Bungalow Foods, the consumer packaged goods brand co-founded by Khanna and Rizvi, is also positioning itself within the expanding South Asian food category.