Nisar Chaudhry

partner and executive director of Yum Group

Compiled from 1 recorded interview. Every statement below is drawn from the passage cited beside it.

Nisar Chaudhry is a partner and executive director of Yum Group of Restaurants. He said the group has around 25 locations in almost all major cities in Pakistan. He said the group describes itself as human-resource oriented, believing quality people produce quality products.

Early life and background

Chaudhry is from Shakargarh, a town in Narowal district. His father was a food contractor in Lahore, and Chaudhry moved to Lahore in 1996. His cousin was a hotelier. [1]

Education

Chaudhry completed his graduation from Government College. He played football and cricket and was a member of his college cricket team. After coming to Lahore he started an MBA. [1]

Career

Chaudhry began working as an assistant in administration. He was among those hired as training managers and trained for several months in Dubai and Karachi. He said Dunkin' Donuts was opened in 2000. He said he was heading the donuts operation when he got an opportunity, and that there were some internal issues. [1]

He joined a foreign fish and chips chain. At the chain he was general manager for operations and franchise business, and he stayed for one year. He was being taken on as a manager for business development. A Coca-Cola director told him a foreign franchise was coming to Islamabad and made him an offer. [1]

Yum Group of Restaurants

Chaudhry said he and two others then got together. He said joining a new venture meant giving up a professional life that included a company-maintained car and a good package. He said he resigned and that they started this project. [1]

He said an MOU was signed with an American company, and that the regional office of the American company was in Saudi Arabia. He said the foreigners told them they would not come to Pakistan and would support them remotely. He said they chose to build their own brand because they would do the work themselves. [1]

He said they decided on Chinese cuisine between the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009. They hired a chef who had been head chef at a five-star hotel, and their designer played a very big role. Chaudhry said one has to plan more than 250 dishes on the menu. [1]

He said they opened their first outlet in Gulberg in August 2010. He suggested building three outlets at the same time so that people would know. He said they began inviting families, which helped word of mouth spread. Chaudhry said that after 15 days they were packed, and that within three months they became the number one restaurant in Lahore. [1]

He said they made it not only for the Pakistani community but to an international standard. They never claimed to be the best. He said that when they opened 14 years earlier, they broke the typical norms, and that the group was building an institute from its first day. [1]

Locations and expansion

Chaudhry said Spice Bazaar has two locations, in Gulberg and DHA 6. He said Chashni has more than 16 locations and already operates in Faisalabad. He said that hopefully by this year they would be going to Karachi. He said two MOUs were signed during Covid. [1]

He said international and government-sector delegations prefer to bring their guests to Spice Bazaar. He said the video about model restaurants shown by the Punjab Food Authority was also shot at Spice Bazaar. He said they have been on foodpanda for the last five or six years. [1]

Staff and operations

Chaudhry said the group built HR and training departments from its first day, and that the corporate HR head has five or six staff below them. He said fresh recruits are kept on backup for one or two months and taken through all the processes. He said they were the first to give chefs cars at that time, and that a chef of theirs was highly paid, even more than at five-star hotels. He said the group has more than 1,200 people in its system. [1]

He said each city has one major factory that can produce for around 25, 30 or 50 outlets. He said they built a purpose-built factory at that time, and that they demolished everything and there is a basement of more than 10,000 square feet below. Chaudhry said the group invested more than 5 million rupees in R&D in 2007, and that they set up the point-of-sale system in a systematic, fully integrated way. He said most of the group's main concepts are a la carte. [1]

He said each outlet has two quality assurance staff, and that food safety and hygiene are the most important things for them. He said staff have separate cafeterias, shower areas and uniform sections. He said wastage of cooked food is almost zero. [1]

Views

Chaudhry said that when it comes to restaurants, food is the ultimate subject. He said the more pretentious the ambience, the more complicated it becomes. He said finding staff of the right calibre was a major challenge in Pakistan. [1]

He said that during the three years of crisis, including the pandemic, the food business flourished the most. He said the restaurant business has a high failure ratio internationally. Chaudhry said Pakistan's restaurant business still has a lot of potential, and that no overseas KFC can compete with the Pakistani KFC. He said he is very hopeful and that it would be a different Pakistan. [1]

Timeline

1996
Moved to Lahore[1]
2000
Dunkin' Donuts opened, according to Chaudhry[1]
2007
The group invested more than 5 million rupees in R&D, according to Chaudhry[1]
2008 to 2009
The group decided on Chinese cuisine, according to Chaudhry[1]
2010
First outlet opened in Gulberg, according to Chaudhry[1]

Appearances

DateTitleWhere
2023-06-28 We were not making a restaurant, we were making an institute Thought Behind Things

Frequently asked questions

Who is Nisar Chaudhry?

Nisar Chaudhry is a partner and executive director of Yum Group of Restaurants. He said the group has around 25 locations in almost all major cities in Pakistan.[1]

What does Nisar Chaudhry do?

Nisar Chaudhry is a partner and executive director of Yum Group of Restaurants. He said the group describes itself as human-resource oriented, believing quality people produce quality products.[1]

Where is Nisar Chaudhry from?

Nisar Chaudhry is from Shakargarh, a town in Narowal district. He moved to Lahore in 1996, where his father was a food contractor.[1]

Where did Nisar Chaudhry study?

Nisar Chaudhry completed his graduation from Government College. After coming to Lahore he started an MBA.[1]

What does Nisar Chaudhry think about the restaurant business in Pakistan?

Nisar Chaudhry said Pakistan's restaurant business still has a lot of potential. He said the restaurant business has a high failure ratio internationally, and that finding staff of the right calibre was a major challenge in Pakistan.[1]

References

  1. We were not making a restaurant, we were making an institute . Thought Behind Things , 2023-06-28.
Show the source passages (73 statements)
  1. He is a partner and executive director of Yum Group of Restaurants. Nisar Chaudhry is the Partner & Executive Director at Yum Group of Restaurants, English Tea House, Spice Bazaar, and Chashni.
  2. He is from Narowal district. I belong to Narowal side, district Narowal.
  3. He is from Shakargarh, a town in Narowal district. Narowal ka ek town hai Shakargarh city. Toh I belong to that city.
  4. He completed his graduation from Government College. I did graduation from Government College
  5. He moved to Lahore in 1996. I moved to Lahore 96 mein.
  6. His father was a food contractor in Lahore. Mere father already Lahore mein the, he was food contractor here.
  7. He played football and cricket and was on his college cricket team. I was quite participative in sports, har tarah ki sports kheli jis mein majorly football, cricket and I was also member of my college cricket team.
  8. He started an MBA after coming to Lahore. Ah Lahore aa ke maine I started MBA with Niba.
  9. His cousin was a hotelier. mere ek cousin the ah and he was basically hotelier
  10. He began working as an assistant in administration. Toh maine phir as a assistant administration unke saath kaam shuru kar diya.
  11. He was among those hired as training managers. They hired us as a training managers.
  12. He trained for several months in Dubai and Karachi. hum Dubai gaye, Karachi gaye, wahan pe hamari che-che mahine ki training hui.
  13. He said each city has one major factory that can produce for around 25, 30 or 50 outlets. Toh har shehar mein ek major factory hoti hai, which can produce up to the capacity like 25, 30 or 50 outlets maybe.
  14. He said Dunkin' Donuts was opened in 2000. jab 2000 mein humne Dunkin' Donuts khola hai
  15. He said he was heading the donuts operation when he got an opportunity, and that there were some internal issues. Uh I got an opportunity. Although I was heading the donuts, lekin uh uh kuch internal issues the
  16. He joined a foreign fish and chips chain. So then I went to ek bahar ki chain aayi uh yeh Mr. Cod. Right. Fish and chips ki.
  17. At the fish and chips chain he was general manager for operations and franchise business. Toh I went there as a general manager. Hmm. Operation and uh uh franchise business.
  18. He stayed at the fish and chips chain for one year. So I stayed there for one year.
  19. He said he and two others then got together. So then we three got together.
  20. He was being taken on as a manager for business development. Toh Metro mein mujhe woh as a manager business development le rahe the.
  21. He said a Coca-Cola director told him a foreign franchise was coming to Islamabad and made him an offer. Coca-Cola mein director the. Unhone mujhe ek offer ki ke Islamabad ke andar ek bahar ki franchise aa rahi hai
  22. He said joining a new venture meant giving up a professional life that included a company-maintained car and a good package. ek new venture mein aap ja rahe hain aur ek luxury professional life chhod ke jismein aapko company maintained gaadi hai, acha package hai
  23. He said he resigned and that they started this project. finally maine resign kiya aur hum jo hai humne yeh wala project shuru kar diya
  24. He said an MOU was signed with an American company. ek American company thi, uske saath hamara MOU sign even ho gaya
  25. He said the regional office of the American company was in Saudi Arabia. Unka regional office Saudi Arabia mein tha.
  26. He said the foreigners told them they would not come to Pakistan and would support them remotely. Usmein goron ne kaha ke ji hum Pakistan nahi aayenge, hum aapko remotely support denge.
  27. He said they chose to build their own brand because they would do the work themselves. Jab humne hi kaam karna hai toh let's do have our own brand.
  28. He said finding staff of the right calibre was a major challenge in Pakistan. Pakistan ke andar ek bahut bada challenge tha human resource ka.
  29. He said that when it comes to restaurants, food is the ultimate subject. Agar restaurants ki baat hogi toh food is the ultimate subject.
  30. He said the more pretentious the ambience, the more complicated it becomes. mahol jitna pretentious hoga utna hi complicated hoga
  31. He said they decided on Chinese cuisine between the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009. end of 2008 aur in the beginning of 2009 we finalize ke we are going with Chinese cuisine
  32. He said they hired a chef who had been head chef at a five-star hotel. And he was working for five star hotel like he was head chef for Dynasty Marriott.
  33. He said their designer played a very big role. jo bahut bada role tha hamare designer the Masood Ali Khan sahab.
  34. He said they opened their first outlet in Gulberg in August 2010. humne August 2010 mein pehla outlet khola tha Gulberg ke andar.
  35. He said the group has around 25 locations in almost all major cities in Pakistan. we have around 25 locations, almost all major cities in Pakistan.
  36. He said Spice Bazaar has two locations, in Gulberg and DHA 6. Spice Bazaar ki two locations hai. First was in Gulberg aur second is in DHA 6.
  37. He said that within three months they became the number one restaurant in Lahore. within three months we become number one restaurant in Lahore, to be honest.
  38. He said that after 15 days they were packed. But believe me, after 15 days we were packed.
  39. He said they demolished everything and that there is a basement of more than 10,000 square feet below. Saara humne giraya, neeche more than 10,000 square feet ki basement hai.
  40. He said they built a purpose-built factory at that time. purpose-built humne factory banayi at that time
  41. He suggested building three outlets at the same time so that people would know. let's build three outlets at same time taake logo ko pata chale
  42. He said Chashni has more than 16 locations. Ah Chashni having around more than 16 locations.
  43. He said that hopefully by this year they would be going to Karachi. hopefully, by this year hum Karachi mein ja rahe hain already.
  44. He said Chashni already operates in Faisalabad. Faisalabad mein Chashni already Faisalabad mein hai.
  45. He said two MOUs were signed during Covid. Aur Covid mein toh humne humare even do MoU bhi sign hue hain.
  46. He said they made it not only for the Pakistani community but to an international standard. So we made it not only for Pakistani community on international standard.
  47. He said they never claimed to be the best. we never claimed ke we are the best.
  48. He said the group describes itself as human-resource oriented, believing quality people produce quality products. we are human resource oriented company jo believe karti hai ke quality people can produce quality products.
  49. He said the corporate HR head has five or six staff below them. Abhi toh hamare paas baqaida corporate HR head hai, uske neeche paanch che log hain
  50. He said the group built HR and training departments from its first day. Toh humne pehle din se HR ka aur training ka department build kiya hua tha.
  51. He said the group was building an institute from its first day. Hamare pehle din se hi clarity thi ke we are making an institute.
  52. He said they set up the point-of-sale system in a systematic, fully integrated way. humne point of sale bhi systematical integrated saara karwa diya
  53. He said one has to plan more than 250 dishes on the menu. more than 250 dishes on the menu plan karni hain aapne
  54. He said they began inviting families, which helped word of mouth spread. To usme phir humne wo jo families thi unko invite karna shuru kiya. To usse fayda hua ke word of mouth spread hua.
  55. He said they were the first to give chefs cars at that time. we were the first one ke jinhone us time pe chefs ko gaadi di.
  56. He said a chef of theirs was highly paid, even more than at five-star hotels. he was the highly paid chef even more than five-star hotels.
  57. He said the group has more than 1,200 people in its system. we have more than 1200 people at the moment in our system.
  58. He said the group invested more than 5 million rupees in R&D in 2007. invested at that time I believe more than 5 million rupees on R&D in 2007
  59. He said that when they opened 14 years earlier, they broke the typical norms. humne jab 14 saal pehle Yam khola toh humne woh jo typical norms thi
  60. He said international and government-sector delegations prefer to bring their guests to Spice Bazaar. Spice Bazaar ke jitne international delegations aate hain, ICC ke, baqi governmental sector ke, toh they prefer to bring them at Spice Bazaar
  61. He said fresh recruits are kept on backup for one or two months and taken through all the processes. jo fresh hi hain, unko phir backup pe liya jata hai, ek do mahine ke liye backup pe rakha jata hai, saare process se guzara jata hai
  62. He said that during the three years of crisis, including the pandemic, the food business flourished the most. yeh jo crisis ke teen saal bhi guzre hain pandemic mein, ismein bhi jo sabse zyada flourish kiya woh food business ne kiya hai
  63. He said the restaurant business has a high failure ratio internationally. internationally jo restaurant business hai, yeh most critical aur isme failure ratio bahut zyada hai
  64. He said Pakistan's restaurant business still has a lot of potential. Pakistan mein main samajhta hoon ke abhi bahut potential hai
  65. He said no overseas KFC can compete with the Pakistani KFC. Main aapko bataun McDonald's definitely, KFC, Pakistani KFC se compete koi duniya ka KFC nahi kar sakta.
  66. He said he is very hopeful and that it would be a different Pakistan. definitely main toh bahut hopeful hoon saare scene mein ke cheezein 50-50 mein it would be a different Pakistan
  67. He said each outlet has two quality assurance staff. jisme har outlet ke upar do quality assurance ke log kaam kar rahe hain
  68. He said food safety and hygiene are the most important things for them. hamare liye sab se pehle important hai food safety and hygiene.
  69. He said staff have separate cafeterias, shower areas and uniform sections. uske liye separate cafeterias hain, separate shower areas hain, separate proper uniform ke sections hain
  70. He said the video about model restaurants shown by the Punjab Food Authority was also shot at Spice Bazaar. jo PFA, Punjab Food Authority pe model restaurants ki jo video chal rahi hai, woh bhi Spice Bazaar pe shoot hui hai
  71. He said most of the group's main concepts are a la carte. Hamare kyunki major jo concept hain, woh hain a la carte based.
  72. He said wastage of cooked food is almost zero. Toh almost hamari jo wastage hai, cook food ki agar hum baat karein, woh almost zero hai.
  73. He said they have been on foodpanda for the last five or six years. hum Foodpanda pe hain from last five, six years onward.