Hyderabad's popular biryani brand, Paradise, began as a small café attached to a cinema theatre in Secunderabad in 1953. Initially serving Irani chai, samosas and biscuits, the café gradually evolved into a full-fledged restaurant serving Hyderabadi cuisine.
More than seven decades later, Paradise has expanded beyond its home market, entered multiple cities and attracted institutional investment. Its journey also reflects how a family-run food establishment transitioned into a professionally managed restaurant chain, with private equity investor Samara Capital acquiring the business in 2022.
The company's valuation has been estimated at around Rs 700 crore in Tracxn's funding records, while its latest reported annual revenue stood at approximately Rs 259 crore for FY25.
According to Paradise's official history, the business started as a canteen and café alongside the Paradise cinema theatre in Secunderabad. Its initial menu included tea and snacks, catering largely to people visiting the theatre.
As its customer base grew, the establishment expanded into a restaurant with seating for around 100 people and began serving traditional Hyderabadi dishes, including biryani, in the early 1960s.