Building a Modern Mithai Empire from Bengaluru
Arvind Dadu never planned to join the family mithai business. Today, as managing director of Anand Sweets & Savouries, he presides over a confectionery revolution that has transformed traditional sweets into a modern brand worth hundreds of crores.
The Unlikely Factory in Jigani
In Bengaluru's industrial Jigani area, surrounded by chemical plants and printing presses, stands a 300,000 square foot facility that produces 15,000 kilograms of sweets daily. This central manufacturing unit, established in 2009, represents a departure from traditional mithai shops that operated everything from single premises.
"We moved to central manufacturing to maintain consistent quality across all our outlets," explains Dadu. "Every Mysore pak from any Anand Sweets store should taste exactly the same."
The factory hums with organized activity. Separate sections handle khoya-making, sugar syrup preparation, and product assembly. Workers shape bright orange besan into motichoor laddoos by hand, placing them carefully into cupcake liners. The air carries the comforting aroma of boiling milk and ghee.
From Reluctant Heir to Business Transformer
Dadu's journey into the family business began reluctantly. After completing schooling in Bengaluru, he escaped to the University of Sheffield in 1998, determined to build a life abroad. "I wanted to enjoy my college years without constantly working in the family stores," he recalls.
Post-9/11 job market challenges brought him back to India. He joined the business through the newly opened Koramangala store, which proved fortuitous timing. As Koramangala evolved into a startup hub, Anand Sweets became familiar to the emerging tech community.
The brand embraced digital transformation early, becoming the third restaurant to partner with Swiggy when the food delivery platform was just starting. Today, 30-35% of Anand's revenue comes from digital platforms, supplemented by partnerships with cloud kitchen operator Rebel Foods during the pandemic.
Packaging Revolution and Cultural Shifts
Anand Sweets' success connects deeply with Bengaluru's evolution. The company recognized changing gifting patterns during the 1990s IT boom, when Diwali celebrations became more elaborate in the growing city.
"Traditional mithai packaging was flimsy—people would remove sweets before serving," notes Dadu. "We designed boxes with royal Indian motifs that customers could proudly display on their tables."
The airport store at Bengaluru's old HAL airport proved particularly significant. Travelers sought Mysore pak as a less-perishable, locally representative gift. Sampling at the airport dramatically boosted sales, establishing the brand among travelers.
Expansion and Innovation
From a single 1,000 square foot store on Commercial Street in 1988, Anand Sweets has grown to 15 company-owned stores, 11 restaurants, and airport retail presence in multiple cities. Market intelligence suggests the company generated ₹349 crore revenue in FY2025, with Dadu confirming 30% year-on-year growth.
The brand constantly innovates. After visiting West Asia in 2014, Dadu introduced baklava, now made by a Syrian specialist at the Jigani factory. Recently launched packaged snack brand Chak Now targets younger consumers with pop-art packaging.
"Every six months, we introduce something new—products, categories, or packaging," says Dadu. "This keeps us innovative in our space."
Challenges and Future Vision
Last year brought unexpected challenges when a customer's social media complaint about safety concerns went viral. "It was unfortunate but taught us valuable lessons about customer safety and social media's power," reflects Dadu. The company responded by strengthening safety protocols.
Looking ahead, Anand Sweets plans ₹300 crore investment to expand to 70 stores by 2030. "We aim to dominate South India before expanding to Maharashtra and Goa," reveals Dadu. The company maintains profitability from its beginnings, a culture Dadu intends to preserve while supporting grassroots cricket in Karnataka through sponsorships.
From reluctant heir to modernizer, Arvind Dadu has transformed Anand Sweets into more than a mithai shop—it's a brand that made traditional Indian sweets contemporary, giftable, and digitally accessible while staying true to its flavors.
