Anurag and Chaitanya Bhamidipaty: Brewing Success with Roastea’s Unique Blend of Tea and Coffee

In the realm of beverages, a battle of brands has long raged between tea giants like Chai Point and Chaayos and coffee titans like CCD, Barista, and Starbucks. However, Anurag and Chaitanya Bhamidipaty, lawyer-turned-entrepreneurs and brothers, saw an opportunity to bridge this gap by offering a unique fusion of both beloved beverages through their venture, Roastea.

Established in 2019, Roastea is a game-changer in the beverage industry, operating on both the B2C and B2B models. The Ahmedabad-based company not only sets up cafes and kiosks to directly cater to consumers but also manufactures automatic dispensing machines, catering to the needs of corporate clients.

Identifying an Untapped Need:

During their corporate careers, Anurag and Chaitanya recognized a pressing need among working professionals spending long hours in office environments. Traditional vending machines in most office pantries fell short in meeting their tea and coffee cravings, leading to congested crowds around local tea stalls and coffee shops. Sensing an opportunity to transform this landscape, the brothers conceived the idea of providing freshly brewed tea and coffee through their own dispensing machines.

Their vision was clear:

Offer a solution that combined the convenience of vending machines with the authentic taste of home-brewed beverages. Anurag explains, “We were working as lawyers for companies, helping them get listed on the stock exchange. We thought: why not build our own company and get listed ourselves?”

Crafting a Superior Brewing Technology

Roastea’s journey began with rigorous research and development, focusing on creating a brewing technology that could replicate the experience of homemade tea and coffee. Unlike traditional vending machines, Roastea’s technology prioritizes temperature control and avoids using heat plates to maintain the integrity of flavor. Their IoT-enabled machines ensure brewing occurs in spurts, mirroring the familiar home-brewing process.

To ensure the highest quality, Roastea sources tea and coffee directly from gardens in Assam. This commitment to quality is evident in their product offerings, which include over 30 options of tea and coffee. Notably, Roastea caters to the distinct preferences of Gujarat, a tea-drinking state known for its strong, flavorful chai. Chaitanya emphasizes, “We knew that if we were able to sell our tea and coffee in Gujarat, we could sell it anywhere.”

Scaling Up and Future Prospects

Roastea’s success has been notable since its inception, boasting profitability from day one. In FY22, the company achieved an annual recurring revenue (ARR) of approximately Rs 17 crore. As demand grows for their unique blend of beverages, Roastea has set its sights on expanding its reach and impact.

Presently, Roastea operates around 500 machines across 140+ corporate offices, partnering with industry leaders like Adani Group, Zydus Group, and EY. The brothers aim to extend their footprint further by setting up 35-40 cafes and kiosks nationwide. Their commitment to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction has driven Roastea’s growth trajectory, positioning them as pioneers in the evolving beverage market.

A Unique Blend of Entrepreneurship

Anurag and Chaitanya Bhamidipaty’s entrepreneurial journey exemplifies their innovative spirit and dedication to addressing unmet needs. By seamlessly fusing the love for both tea and coffee, they have carved a distinctive niche in an industry marked by competition. As the beverage market continues to evolve, Roastea stands as a testament to the power of innovative ideas and a customer-centric approach. With a vision of scaling their business while preserving the essence of homemade beverages, the Bhamidipaty brothers are brewing a recipe for long-term success with Roastea.