2009
20
$500,000
$49,000
$1,200,000
No
Disrupting the Indian Food Market with Bold Flavors
Curry Up Now is not just another restaurant; it is the pioneer and undisputed leader of the modern Indian fast-casual revolution in the United States. Born from the vibrant street food culture of India and fused with American culinary innovation, this high-growth franchise offers a truly unique and irresistible dining experience.
The brand's concept centers on inventive Indian street food, featuring signature dishes like "Deconstructed Samosas," innovative Burritos stuffed with Tikka Masala, and craveable Thalis. This creative approach breaks free from the traditional, often formal, Indian dining model, positioning Curry Up Now perfectly for today's dynamic, on-the-go consumer.
We are actively seeking strategic franchise partners to expand our presence in prime US markets. If you are looking to invest in a proven, scalable, and culturally resonant concept that meets the explosive demand for ethnic and fast-casual dining, Curry Up Now represents a blue-chip opportunity. Our proven systems, compelling unit economics, and widespread media recognition ensure we are positioned for aggressive national expansion. This is a chance to bring a vibrant, flavorful, and incredibly popular dining concept to your community and capture a significant share of the rapidly growing fast-casual Indian food sector.
Investing in Curry Up Now is investing in the future of ethnic food service. Here are the core competitive advantages that make this franchise an unparalleled opportunity:
First-Mover Advantage in Indian Fast-Casual: Curry Up Now defined the modern Indian street food segment. We offer a distinctive, accessible, and fun menu that appeals to Millennials, Gen Z, and families—a much broader demographic than traditional Indian restaurants.
Multiple Revenue Streams: Our business model is designed for high efficiency and varied profitability, including:
In-Store Dining (Dine-in and Takeout)
High-Volume Digital Sales (Delivery and App Orders)
Robust Catering Programs (Corporate and Private Events)
Brand Leverage from our original Food Truck roots (Pop-ups and Events).
Simplified Operations & High Efficiency: The menu, while complex in flavor, is engineered for operational simplicity, high-speed service, and consistency. Our small, flexible kitchen footprint drives lower infrastructure costs and higher profit potential compared to full-service concepts.
Exceptional Brand Equity & Media Buzz: Since its inception, Curry Up Now has garnered national attention from food critics, major publications, and industry leaders, building a loyal fan base and strong social media presence, which significantly reduces local marketing lift for new franchisees.
High-Demand Market Category: US consumer demand for bold, global flavors continues to accelerate. By offering approachable, high-quality, and customizable Indian cuisine, Curry Up Now directly capitalizes on this massive culinary trend.
Established Year:
Curry Up Now was founded in 2009. This gives the brand 16+ years of operational experience in the fast-casual dining industry, which demonstrates stability and credibility for potential franchisees.
Founders:
The company was founded by Akash and Rana Kapoor in San Francisco. Their vision was to bring authentic Indian street food with a modern twist to the American market. Founders’ involvement often signals strong leadership and guidance in the franchise model.
Company History & Brand Journey:
Curry Up Now started as a food truck in Burlingame, California, serving innovative Indian street food like the Tikka Masala Burrito and Naughty Naan.
In 2011, the first brick-and-mortar location was launched.
In 2017, Curry Up Now acquired Tava Kitchen, expanding its footprint and operational capabilities.
Over the years, the brand has been recognized nationally in media as a standout fast-casual Indian restaurant.
The journey shows a gradual and strategic expansion, which is promising for franchise investors.
Franchise Units:
As of 2025, the brand operates around 20 locations in the USA, including both franchised and company-owned units.
These units are spread across multiple states, including California, Utah, New Jersey, and Georgia, showing a growing national presence.
Ownership:
Curry Up Now is privately owned by the founders, which allows for consistent vision, brand values, and operational standards across all franchise units.
Leadership includes experienced operational executives like Amir Hosseini (VP of Operations), helping maintain quality and support for franchisees.
Industry Category:
The brand operates in the fast-casual dining segment, specifically Indian street food fusion, which is a niche but rapidly growing market in the USA.
This category appeals to consumers seeking healthy, flavorful, and convenient meals.
Market Presence & Expansion:
Curry Up Now started in the San Francisco Bay Area, then expanded to locations in Hoboken (NJ), Sacramento (CA), Decatur (GA), Fort Union (UT), and Irvine (CA).
The brand is strategically expanding in urban areas with diverse populations to cater to high demand for ethnic and fusion cuisine.
Brand Reputation:
Known for its innovative menu items (like Tikka Masala Burrito, Naughty Naan, and other fusion dishes).
Featured in national media outlets, praised for creativity, flavor, and fast-casual quality.
Has high customer recognition, which helps franchisees attract traffic more easily than starting an unknown brand.
We are committed to our franchise partners' success, offering a robust, turnkey support system from the moment you sign the franchise agreement.
Support Phase | Detailed Description |
|---|---|
Pre-Launch & Development Support | Our Real Estate & Construction Team provides comprehensive guidance on market analysis, demographic studies, site selection, lease negotiation assistance, and architectural review for optimal restaurant layout and design. |
Operational & Academic Training | Franchisees and their management teams attend an intensive 4-6 week training program (Curry Up University) covering all facets of the business: food preparation (culinary excellence), inventory management, staff scheduling, POS system operation, and high-volume service execution. |
Marketing & Brand Support | Access to high-quality, national marketing campaigns, professionally designed promotional materials, and a sophisticated digital marketing strategy. We provide local grand opening toolkits, social media best practices, and local store marketing blueprints to drive initial traffic and build community loyalty. |
Ongoing Support & Field Operations | Dedicated Franchise Business Consultants (FBCs) provide continuous, in-market support through regular visits, performance reviews, and operational refreshers. This includes access to proprietary manuals, recipe updates, and supply chain management. |
Technology & Supply Chain | Full integration with cutting-edge POS and kitchen display systems (KDS) designed for fast-casual efficiency. Robust, national supply chain relationships ensure competitive food costs and consistent ingredient quality across all locations. |
Curry Up Now seeks passionate, results-driven entrepreneurs who are ready to commit to a high-growth brand.
Profile Component | Requirement Details |
|---|---|
Type of Investor | Primarily seeking Multi-Unit Operators and Area Developers with a proven track record in the restaurant or retail sectors. Single-unit franchisees with strong business acumen will also be considered. |
Business Background | Must possess excellent business management skills, previous P&L responsibility, and the ability to effectively recruit, train, and manage a large team. Experience in the restaurant franchise space is highly advantageous. |
Passion & Commitment | A genuine passion for the brand, the quality of the food, and the mission to bring unique, modern Indian cuisine to the masses is essential. Franchisees must be owner-operators or have a strong, dedicated operating partner. |
Investment Capability | Must meet minimum liquid capital and net worth requirements (see Financial Details). Financial stability is crucial for opening and sustaining the business through the initial ramp-up phase. |
Location Preference | Key target markets include high-density suburban areas, urban commercial districts, university towns, and non-traditional venues (e.g., airports, casinos). Preference for 1,500 – 2,500 sq. ft. end-cap or in-line spaces with high visibility. |
The total investment range reflects the variability in real estate costs, market size, and build-out complexity across the USA. All figures are estimated and must be confirmed via the official Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).
Financial Metric | Estimated Range (USD) | Notes & Details |
|---|---|---|
Total Investment Required | $500,000 – $1,200,000 | This range includes the Franchise Fee, construction, equipment, training, and working capital. |
Minimum Liquid Capital | $150,000 – $250,000 | The cash on hand required to fund the initial investment. |
Minimum Net Worth | $500,000 – $750,000 | The total net worth required to qualify for financing. |
Initial Franchise Fee | $49,000 | A one-time fee granting the right to operate under the brand name and access the proprietary system. |
Royalty Fees | 6% of Gross Sales | Paid weekly to the franchisor for ongoing support, training, and system access. |
Marketing/Ad Fund Contribution | 2% of Gross Sales | Used for national and regional advertising, brand development, and digital marketing initiatives. |
Infrastructure/Build-out Cost | $300,000 – $700,000 | Variable based on location, existing shell condition, equipment, and required tenant improvements. |
Working Capital | $50,000 – $100,000 | Essential funds for initial inventory, three months of operating expenses, and employee payroll until break-even. |
Potential Revenue Streams | High-margin catering, strong delivery platform sales, in-store retail, and traditional dine-in/takeout. | Driven by the high average ticket price and diverse revenue channels. |
Expected ROI / Break-Even Time | Varies significantly by location and operator efficiency. Specific performance data is detailed in Item 19 of the FDD. | Success highly depends on site selection, sales volume, and expense management. |
Next Step: To receive the official Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and review the validated financial performance data (Item 19), contact the Curry Up Now Franchise Development Team today.
