The Naantrepreneur

Munish Narula

by Felicia D'Ambrosio

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Published: Sep 23, 2009

Neal Santos

In Mumbai, it is common to see dabbawalas (literally "one who carries a box") bearing huge flats of dabbas, a sort of Indian lunchbox, on their heads while riding the city's metro system. They are delivering tiffins (Old English for "light lunch") to office workers across the city. This low-tech but highly accurate (99.7 percent) system was the inspiration for Munish Narula's high-tech second restaurant, Tiffin (701 W. Girard Ave., tiffin.com).

Though Narula used his Wharton master's to construct a business plan allowing for first-year losses, early press lauding Tiffin's revolutionary Web ordering system and low prices made the delivery service an instant hit. Customers hungry for Tiffin's savory masalas, tandoor breads and dals were soon clamoring for another location. "It was almost a grassroots movement," says Narula, who opened a second Tiffin in Mount Airy in July 2008.

Expansion has snowballed since. Narula gave his favorite Indian street food, kati rolls, a home when he opened Tiffin etc. next door to the original. In addition to expanding palates on Girard Ave., Narula has more Tiffins planned: Elkins Park (October), Wynnewood (December) and Bryn Mawr (spring 2010). Narula is also investigating locations in Bensalem.

"We targeted a Southeast Asian customer base," says Narula. "So the biggest surprise was 90 percent of our customers are not!"

Narula cites the uptick in quality Indian restaurants. "Since we opened Tiffin, nine new Indian restaurants have opened. Four of them are owned by my former employees! I love it. Everyone is raising the bar."

Honorable Mention: Food and Drink

Jose Garces
The man behind three of the city's most lauded restaurants (Amada, Tinto, Distrito) goes from success to success; he added Chifa and Village Whiskey to his portfolio.

Aaron Ultimo
The ultimate barista opened BREW, the city's most anticipated café — serving, arguably, the world's best coffee (Counter Culture) — on an unlikely corner in South Philly.

Philly Kitchen Share
'Eli Massar and Emily Pollack's inventive rental/communal kitchen on South Street has led to a bumper crop of local food businesses.

Leigh Maida and Brendan Hartranft
'The duo behind Memphis Taproom and Local 44 bring their better-beer ethos to Devil's Pocket in the form of Resurrection Ale House.

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