In this modern world, many youngsters are living away from home, travel from one place to another either for education or to earn a living. Most of these busy students, working professionals and those living away from their families face a major problem related to daily meal which often leads to severe health ailments. These people do not have enough time to cook themselves, either end up eating outside most of the time or cook fast as quick food for themselves. Good home-cooked foods has become a necessity for these segments of people, and are constantly in the look-out for homely food since most of us seek home-cooked food as a preferred meal option. While canteens are available in most workplaces and within educational campuses but they don’t offer food that should be taken every day. The need and demand for good food is never-ending and this growing requirement has made Food Tiffin service noticeably quite popular. Tiffin is a business that deals with offering catering services to consumers. The business of delivering Tiffin boxes in India (Mumbai) started in 1890, when the Parsi and British communities living in Mumbai were in the need of convenient Tiffin delivery service. Mahadeo Bhavaji Bachche was the first Dabbawala to start Tiffin delivery service to a British man on request. The term Tiffin was used to refer to a light meal but the definition has changed over the period of time. With the changing dynamics of the Indian households—more women joining the workforce, hectic work schedules and the increasing demand for wholesome meals— the transformation of a lighter meal Tiffin became the Lunch or a Dinner Tiffin box for the Indians.

The Corona virus Pandemic has highlighted many inspiring cases of women becoming micro-entrepreneurs by starting a business from home. One of the best home-based business ideas for ladies is to start a home Tiffin service or Dabba service. Many Indian women are excellent cooks, having honed their skills in the kitchen from a young age. Initial investment required is also quite less, which makes Tiffin service one of the most successful home-based businesses available today since food is an essential service and people cannot manage without it. Providing fresh, home-cooked, wholesome meals thus by far remains among the top few business ideas in India. One can promote home Tiffin Business through housing society WhatsApp group, on local face book groups or through word of mouth in the locality. The most likely customers will be single men or women who live alone and don’t have the time, skills or inclination to cook their own food but it is to ensure that home Tiffin food is delicious, hygienically packed and safe to eat so that there is no customer complaint. Putting one’s passion for cooking to make those extra bucks is a great idea, especially in the current circumstances. With a series of curfews and lockdowns imposed since last year, many bachelors, students, working professionals away from home etc. have been bearing the brunt of lack of services providing home-cooked meals. By putting together a simple menu of delicious and nutritious food, one can kick-start the business almost immediately. If somebody wishes to differentiate from other Tiffin service providers, one can start offering a premium Tiffin service or special Tiffin meal plans for specific dietary requirements such as Weight-loss Tiffin service, Keto, Diabetic, Gluton-free, Vegan or a Diet-food Tiffin service.

India has now a good number of people that are willing to spend a healthier lifestyle through consuming nutritionally rich food products. The staying healthy trend is gaining immense popularity in India, which is also increasing the demand for quality, nutritional food products for a balanced diet. However, in this age where everyone is damn busy, what suffering the most is our eating habit. Most of us do not have time to cook on regular basis and thus falling prey of outside junk foods. To fill-in this gap, Tiffin services has come in and no doubt it has helped us to a great extent to maintain a healthy food habit. For example, FoodAbhi is a Mumbai-based Tiffin related brand, which mainly deals with high quality, healthy and delicious meal plans for new-age customers. Tiffin Express is another brand which is providing 100% hygienic and vegetarian food services to people across the nation through its franchise model. Entrepreneurs that find this opportunity interesting could plan to become their potential franchisee with an investment around INR 2-5 lakh. The area required for acquiring its franchise ranges from 200-400 sq ft. The Food Tiffin Service in India targets students, employees and canteens of larger working firms. Recently, the Indian Central Government granted permission to caterers and food outlets to sell food via online platforms and deliver it with the help of delivery vendors. Thus, food providing services can create employment and livelihood opportunities for low-income community members particularly women. Due to its profitable nature, the Tiffin-related industry has huge potentials for growth and expansion, which will eventually transform the industry from an unorganised to an organised one.

A Project Report is not only essential for obtaining financial assistance from Bank/ Financial Institution/Funding Agency but also the most important document either to participate in the development schemes of MSME Sector/ Department of Industries or in completing various time consuming government formalities connected with planning and commercial operation of the proposed business project.

This Detail Project Report (DPR)/ Business Plan has been developed in a well-structured PDF Format (Easy to Download, Convert into MS WORD through www.pdftoword.com, Edit for Personalised Customisation and Finally Printing the Report) to be presented as a Ready Project Proposal immediately thereby saving precious time of the promoter in the process of completing requisite formalities in anticipation of setting up the business project. Accordingly, following Project Templates has been deliberately left blank in order to facilitate customisation by the perspective entrepreneurs based on personal requirements and furnish necessary information on actual basis.

§ Project at a Glance                                     :             To be Filled Up as per Personal Requirements.

[Total Capital Expenditure, Working Capital, Estimated Cost of the Project, Amount of Bank Loan, Amount of Equity Capital and Amount of applicable Margin Money Subsidy – (Urban/Rural /General Category/ Special Category)].

§ General Information and Location          :             To be Furnished in the Blank Space.

[Name of the Unit/Firm, Address of the Proposed Project Location, Size of the Space Available and Occupancy under Ownership/Lease Agreement].

§ Promoter’s Background                            :             To be Furnished in the Blank Space.

[Name of the Promoter, Age, Communication Address, Educational Qualification, Work Experience and Special Training Attended, if Any].

The Project Report/ Business Plan so presented include all the important aspects containing the following details;

CONTENTS

1. Highlights of the Project
2. Project Introduction
3. The Project Proposal
4. Prospect for Investment
5. Potential Target Customers/Market
6. Marketing Strategy
7. Critical Success Factors
8. Process Details/Menu Design Tips
9. Technical Solutions
10. Installed and Operational Capacity
11. Raw Materials and Consumables
12. Power and Utility
13. Tentative Implementation Schedule
14. Basis & Presumptions
15. Capital Investment Estimates with Detail Project Economics
16. Computation of Working Capital Requirement
17. Estimated Total Project Investment
18. Proposed Means of Project Financing
19. Estimated Annual Sales Turnover
20. Projected Profitability Statement
21. Calculation of Interest Amount
22. Depreciation Schedule
23. Term Loan Repayment Schedule
24. Debt Service Coverage Ratio
25. Break-Even Analysis
26. Projected Cash Flow Statement
27. Projected Balance Sheet
28. Internal Rate Return
29. Pay Back Period

The presentation also supplements with important facts and useful information covering the areas as indicated below;

1. Statutory Permits and Business Licenses Required for Tiffin Service Business
2. Important Steps to Start Tiffin Service Business
3. Beginner’s Guide to Tiffin Service Business
4. Smart Tips to Boost Profit Margin in Tiffin Service Business and
5. Tiffin Service Business Case Studies of India (Mumbai Dabbawala, Lunchbox- 7 and Zaika Tiffin Service of Delhi).

LIST OF ENCLOSURES

ENCLOSURE-1: E-BOOK ON SCHEMES FOR MSMEs, MINISTRY OF MSME, GOVT. OF INDIA.

ENCLOSURE-2: SALIENT FEATURES OF MUDRA LOAN SCHEME, MINISTRY OF MSME, GOVT. OF INDIA.

ENCLOSURE-3: FAQ ON MUDRA LOAN SCHEME.

ENCLOSURE-4: BRIEF ABOUT PSB LOANS IN 59 MINUTES SCHEME.

ENCLOSURE-5: FAQ ON PSB LOANS IN 59 MINUTES SCHEME.

Thus the information provided would help in identifying in advance the infrastructure/resources required for the Project and approach the concerned government agencies accordingly. Hence, it becomes a complete document for further action towards realising the dream of becoming an entrepreneur.