I have realized as I showered today that I have come close to god without even knowing it. The lord does work in mysterious ways the believers will have you believe. It is not that the soap lather took on the shape of Shiva's head or Ganesh's trunk rather the fact that I have been religously dining at establishments titled in the lord's name.
So it is a uniquely Hinduwadi theme (those that prescribe to the Hindu religion) to find eating establishments all across India to bear the moniker of a local deity - from Jai Bhawani tea stall to Ramkrishna dhaba to Shankar restaurant to Balaji cafe. A good blend of almighty and local latte if there is one.
While Balaji knew of the powers of caffiene is a subject of another inspriring blog, the notion of engaging with customers with what they crave in their daily regimen while also servicing their basic nutritional need is a marketing strategy all its own.
So that theme carries to the far corners of the world where these folks from India have set up their branches. I have been a regular visitor to Sri Venkatesh Bhavan - a purveyor of fine Udupi cuisine, in my neck of the freeways (there are no woods anywhere so I think it is time we udpated our lame slangs).
Tirupat'h'i (the 'h' - sounds like haich - is a uniquely udupi idea as well I think) Bheema's is another such. Then there are others that provide pyoor vegetarian fare from the western states under the Shree Sai or Jalaram branding.
I wonder whether the other faiths need to emulate this to drive business - I mean Red Lobster is running dry and Olive Garden has no fruits. What would happen if they switched to Asisi's taverna or Jeez's Steakhouse?
In my travels across the planet I have yet to find some interesting amalgams like these. Right by I-5 somewhere in the California desert, as you come up after a parched 200 mile drive you pull into the Vatican Diner for a cold one! That will get the spirits up no?
So it is a uniquely Hinduwadi theme (those that prescribe to the Hindu religion) to find eating establishments all across India to bear the moniker of a local deity - from Jai Bhawani tea stall to Ramkrishna dhaba to Shankar restaurant to Balaji cafe. A good blend of almighty and local latte if there is one.
While Balaji knew of the powers of caffiene is a subject of another inspriring blog, the notion of engaging with customers with what they crave in their daily regimen while also servicing their basic nutritional need is a marketing strategy all its own.
So that theme carries to the far corners of the world where these folks from India have set up their branches. I have been a regular visitor to Sri Venkatesh Bhavan - a purveyor of fine Udupi cuisine, in my neck of the freeways (there are no woods anywhere so I think it is time we udpated our lame slangs).
Tirupat'h'i (the 'h' - sounds like haich - is a uniquely udupi idea as well I think) Bheema's is another such. Then there are others that provide pyoor vegetarian fare from the western states under the Shree Sai or Jalaram branding.
I wonder whether the other faiths need to emulate this to drive business - I mean Red Lobster is running dry and Olive Garden has no fruits. What would happen if they switched to Asisi's taverna or Jeez's Steakhouse?
In my travels across the planet I have yet to find some interesting amalgams like these. Right by I-5 somewhere in the California desert, as you come up after a parched 200 mile drive you pull into the Vatican Diner for a cold one! That will get the spirits up no?
A spirited call for religion to intrude into branding.
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