The Legacy Of Raghunandan Srinivas Kamath, Who Built Rs 400 Crore Company Naturals Ice Cream

Are you someone who loves binge eating Naturals Ice Cream¡¯s Tender Coconut and Anjeer flavoured ice creams, specially in summers? In the world of ice creams, this brand walked in one day and changed the game!

The USP of Naturals(NIC) was in its flavours. Competing with some of the biggest brands, it built a position for itself and made the country¡¯s heart melt.

Just like its ice cream, even the story of NIC (Naturals Ice Cream) is beautiful. The man behind it is Raghunandan Srinivas. Hailing from a humble background, his vision took the company to new heights and made it into a Rs 400 crore brand.

Unfortunately, he passed away recently after a brief illness. The company announced his demise in a social media post. He was 70.

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His transition from a humble village in Mangalore to achieving milestones in the ice cream sector showcased his determination, innovation, and resilience.

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Srinivas¡¯s Father Had A Fruit Business, This Helped In Understanding Fruits Which Eventually Helped Him A Lot In His Ice Cream Business

Raghunandan Srinivas Kamath, born to a fruit vendor in Karnataka, experienced a childhood rooted in simplicity and hard work. Assisting his father in the fruit business provided him with valuable knowledge about fruits, which later became crucial in his entrepreneurial journey. Despite academic struggles leading to him dropping out of school, Kamath's innate business sense remained strong, driving him forward.

At the age of 14, Kamath left his village and moved to the city of dreams, Mumbai. He started working at his brother¡¯s South Indian restaurant which earned him a modest income. During this period, Raghunandan started envisioning a business. He wanted to create a unique product that would make him stand out from the rest.

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The Beginning of Naturals Ice Cream Venture

Kamath's venture into the ice cream industry commenced on February 14, 1984. Starting with a team of only four employees and a few fundamental ingredients including fruit, milk, and sugar, he introduced Naturals Ice Cream to the market. The initial offering consisted of 12 flavors, all developed from Kamath's expertise gained during his upbringing and experiences working alongside his father in his fruit business.

Also Read: Scoops Of Happiness: This Ice Cream Brand From Ahmedabad Was A Show Stealer At Ambani Bash

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He applied a clever strategy. Instead of selling standalone ice creams, he started selling Pav Bhaji and offered ice cream as a side dish. This tactic drew massive crowds and proved to be a brilliant idea. Soon, people started becoming fans of his ice cream. In the first year itself, Kamath¡¯s small Juhu shop recorded Rs 5 lakh revenue. This was a clear indicator of the potential that his ice cream business held.

Switching From A Side Dish To The Main - Naturals Ice Cream Takes Center Stage

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As Naturals Ice Cream became more popular, Kamath decided to focus solely on ice cream, discontinuing Pav Bhaji. This change allowed him to improve his product and expand his business. Naturals grew from one store to a nationwide presence, with 135 outlets across India by 2020. The company's unique selling point¡ªice cream made from natural ingredients without artificial flavoring¡ªresonated with customers, setting it apart in a crowded market.

The success of Naturals Ice Cream is not only evident in its revenue, which reached approximately Rs 400 crore in FY 2020, but also in its reputation. The brand was acknowledged in a KPMG survey as one of India's top 10 companies for delivering the best customer experience, showcasing Kamath's dedication to quality and customer satisfaction.

From being a school dropout and the son of a fruit vendor to earning the title of the 'Ice Cream Man of India,' Kamath's life embodies a story of overcoming challenges.

Today, Naturals Ice Cream continues to bring joy to customers across India, remaining faithful to its founder's vision of providing authentic, natural flavors.