What began as a fast-food café in Bengaluru in 1982 faced three shutdowns in its first 14 years. A shift towards ice cream and desserts helped A. Narayan Rao build Corner House into a regional brand with revenue of Rs 70.74 crore in FY25, according to Tracxn.
Established in 1982, Corner House did not start out as the dessert parlour customers know today. It began as a fast-food café, with its eventual transformation taking shape over several years. The decision to focus on desserts came as the business faced growing competition.
More than four decades later, Corner House has 20 outlets across Bengaluru and Mysuru, according to its website. Its journey offers a look at how a local food business adapted its model and built a recognisable brand without recorded institutional equity funding.
Rao was born in New Delhi to MRA Rao, a naval officer, and his wife, Indumati. He moved to Bengaluru in 1974 to study agriculture, but the city became more than just a place to pursue his education.
He subsequently travelled to Austria and Canada to study hotel management. After returning to India in 1980, he joined Nirula’s in New Delhi, gaining experience in the food and hospitality business before deciding to start a venture of his own.