Many of India’s most successful brands had humble beginnings, starting as small roadside stalls or family-run businesses. Through innovation, perseverance, and a deep understanding of the Indian market, these brands grew into industry giants, becoming household names across the country.
From Haldiram’s, which began as a modest bhujia shop, to Amul, which revolutionized India’s dairy industry, these companies exemplify the power of entrepreneurship. Their journeys highlight the immense potential of starting small and scaling up with the right strategies.
In this list, we explore 12 inspiring Indian brands that transformed from small businesses into massive corporations, shaping their respective industries and leaving a lasting impact on the Indian economy.
1. Haldiram’s – From a Bhujia Stall to a Global Snack Empire
- Founded: 1937, Bikaner, Rajasthan
- Founder: Ganga Bishan Agarwal (Haldiram)
Haldiram’s started as a small bhujia shop in Bikaner. By modifying the traditional bhujia recipe, the brand quickly gained a loyal customer base. Over time, Haldiram’s expanded beyond Rajasthan, setting up operations in Kolkata, Nagpur, and Delhi. Today, it is a global leader in Indian snacks and sweets, with a presence in over 80 countries and a vast range of packaged foods.
Estimated Revenue (2024): ₹10,000 crore
2. Nalli Silks – A Tiny Saree Shop Turned Luxury Fashion Brand
- Founded: 1928, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Founder: Nalli Chinnasami Chetty
What began as a small silk handloom shop in Chennai grew into India’s most reputed luxury saree brand. Nalli Silks gained recognition for its premium Kanchipuram silk sarees, catering to both traditional and contemporary tastes. Today, the brand has showrooms across India and international locations like Singapore and the USA.
Estimated Revenue (2024): ₹700 crore
3. Vadilal – From a Soda Fountain to an Ice Cream Giant
- Founded: 1907, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Founder: Vadilal Gandhi
Vadilal started as a small soda fountain before venturing into hand-churned ice cream. Over the decades, the brand expanded its flavor range, introduced modern production techniques, and built a nationwide distribution network. Today, Vadilal is a leader in the ice cream industry and also exports frozen foods globally.
Estimated Revenue (2024): ₹600 crore
4. Bikanervala – A Local Sweet Shop That Went Global
- Founded: Early 1900s, Bikaner, Rajasthan
- Founder: Lalji Aggarwal
Bikanervala started as a small sweets and snacks shop in Bikaner. Due to its focus on quality and authenticity, the brand quickly expanded, opening stores across India and international locations, including the USA, UAE, and New Zealand. Bikanervala also launched its packaged food line to meet the demand for Indian delicacies worldwide.
Estimated Revenue (2024): ₹1,100 crore
5. Parle – A Small Bakery That Created India’s Favorite Biscuit
- Founded: 1929, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Founder: Mohanlal Dayal
Parle started as a confectionery and bakery business, but its major breakthrough came in 1939 with the launch of Parle-G biscuits. Affordable and nutritious, Parle-G became India’s most loved biscuit. Today, Parle is one of the biggest biscuit and confectionery manufacturers, with a strong presence in over 100 countries.
Estimated Revenue (2024): ₹15,000 crore
6. MTR Foods – A Small Tiffin Center That Became a Packaged Food Giant
- Founded: 1924, Bangalore, Karnataka
- Founder: Yagnanarayana Maiya
Mavalli Tiffin Room (MTR) started as a South Indian eatery before expanding into packaged foods. In the 1970s, MTR pioneered instant mixes and ready-to-eat meals. Today, the brand is a leader in the Indian packaged food industry, known for its traditional spice blends, frozen foods, and ready meals.
Estimated Revenue (2024): ₹1,000 crore
7. Shiv Sagar – A Roadside Eatery That Became a Restaurant Chain
- Founded: 1981, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Shiv Sagar started as a roadside stall serving vegetarian snacks and meals. Due to its high-quality food and affordability, it soon transformed into a popular restaurant chain. Today, Shiv Sagar has multiple outlets across India, known for its South Indian, North Indian, and fusion dishes.
Estimated Revenue (2024): ₹150 crore
8. Hidesign – A Small Leather Workshop That Became a Luxury Brand
- Founded: 1978, Puducherry
- Founder: Dilip Kapur
Hidesign began as a small handcrafted leather goods workshop. The brand focused on premium quality and stylish designs, which led to its global expansion. Today, Hidesign is recognized as a luxury leather brand with a strong presence in India, the UK, the USA, and other international markets.
Estimated Revenue (2024): ₹400 crore
9. Café Coffee Day (CCD) – A Single Coffee Outlet That Revolutionized Indian Cafés
- Founded: 1996, Bangalore, Karnataka
- Founder: V.G. Siddhartha
CCD introduced the café culture to India by offering an urban space for coffee lovers. It rapidly expanded across India, growing to over 1,000 outlets. Despite financial challenges following the founder’s demise in 2019, CCD remains one of India’s largest coffee chains.
Estimated Revenue (2024): ₹1,800 crore
10. Nirma – A Home-Based Detergent That Took Over the Market
- Founded: 1969, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Founder: Karsanbhai Patel
Nirma began as a home-based detergent business, offering an affordable alternative to costly multinational brands. Its aggressive pricing and mass advertising campaigns led to rapid success, disrupting the detergent market. Nirma later diversified into soaps, cosmetics, cement, and healthcare.
Estimated Revenue (2024): ₹7,000 crore
11. Amul – A Small Dairy Cooperative That Led India’s White Revolution
- Founded: 1946, Anand, Gujarat
- Founder: Tribhuvandas Patel (with Verghese Kurien’s leadership)
Amul was created to empower dairy farmers, eliminating middlemen. Under Verghese Kurien’s leadership, Amul pioneered dairy processing, making India the world’s largest milk producer. The brand is now synonymous with dairy products like milk, butter, cheese, and ice cream.
Estimated Revenue (2024): ₹52,000 crore
12. Patanjali – A Small Ayurvedic Pharmacy That Became an FMCG Giant
- Founded: 2006, Haridwar, Uttarakhand
- Founder: Baba Ramdev & Acharya Balkrishna
Patanjali started as a small Ayurvedic pharmacy promoting natural health products. With Baba Ramdev’s influence, the brand expanded into FMCG, challenging multinational companies in categories like personal care, food products, and wellness. Today, Patanjali is a dominant force in India’s natural products sector.
Estimated Revenue (2024): ₹30,000 crore
Summary – Big Success Starts with Small Steps
The success stories of these 12 brands prove that big dreams often start small. Whether it was a street-side sweet shop, a home-based detergent business, or a single coffee outlet, these companies built their empires with determination, strategic growth, and innovation.
Their journeys offer valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs—understanding customer needs, maintaining product quality, and adapting to market trends can lead to long-term success.
Today, these brands are not just business names; they are an integral part of India’s daily life. They inspire millions to believe in the power of small beginnings and the potential to grow into something extraordinary.
