From small soda shop to ice cream tycoon: How Vadilal Gandhi built Rs 1900 crore empire

Vadilal Ice Cream is a well-known name not just in India but worldwide and is regarded as one of the top ice cream companies in the country. With a market value running into thousands of crores today, Vadilal's journey began humbly over a century ago. The story of this legendary brand begins in 1907, when Vadilal Gandhi who came from a middle-class family founded an ordinary fountain soda shop in Ahmedabad during pre-Independent India. Vadilal Gandhi's vision and entrepreneurial energy developed his small soda shop into a popular ice cream company known throughout India and beyond. Let's look at Vadilal Gandhi's remarkable story and how Vadilal Ice Cream grew from a humble soda shop to an industry leader.

From Soda to Ice Cream

Interestingly, Vadilal Gandhi's soda shop became extremely famous throughout Gujarat. focusing on his success, he began selling ice cream soda pops, which immediately became popular. By 1926, Vadilal had launched its first ice cream shop in the country, launching a legendary journey in the ice cream industry.

The Family Legacy

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The business was handed over to Vadilal Gandhi's son, Ranchod Lal Gandhi, who took an important step towards growing the family business by purchasing an ice cream machine and paying customs duty to the tune of 300-350% from Germany before Independence. Ranchod Lal's two sons, Ramchandra and Laxman Gandhi, continued the legacy, opening ten Vadilal locations in Ahmedabad by the 1970s.

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Before independence, Vadilal had grown to four ice cream parlours and became famous for its cassata ice cream in the 1950s. Until 1972-73, Vadilal was primarily known within the city.

Ramchandra Gandhi, born on February 15, 1925, took charge of the company in 1942. With the help of his brother, Lakshman Gandhi, he expanded the business to Rs 400 crore by 2011-12, according to a statement from Vadilal Industries. By the late 1970s, Vadilal, along with Kwality and Joy, held a significant share of the ice cream market, which was starting to attract multinational companies (MNCs).

The Growth into a Giant

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Over the years, Vadilal Gandhi's little soda shop grew into a big ice cream business. Vadilal Ice Cream now has a market capitalization of more than Rs 1933 crore, according to The Economic Times. Vadilal prides itself on being a purely vegetarian company and has diversified into processed foods, selling pre-cooked curries, bread, and other vegetarian items.

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Achievements

Vadilal's journey led to some outstanding results. In November 2001, the brand entered the Limca Book of Records by inventing 'The Largest Ice Cream Sundae.' 180 workers worked in 60 minutes to make this massive creation, which included 4,950 liters of ice cream, 125 kg of dry fruits, 255 kg of fresh fruits, and 390 liters of various sauces.

Vadilal¡¯s Global Presence

Kalpit Gandhi, a fifth-generation businessman from the Vadilal family, currently serves as the company's Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Under his leadership, Vadilal not only established a strong foothold in India but also became the best-selling Indian ice cream brand in the United States.

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Vadilal Gandhi's journey from a small soda shop to creating one of the best ice cream brands in India is truly inspiring. His vision and determination laid the foundation for a legacy that continues to thrive, making Vadilal Ice Cream a beloved brand both in India and abroad.