PE money is more expensive than debt in food business: Amit Burman

Amit Burman, the vice chairman of Dabur India Ltd and founder of Lite Bite Foods Pvt Ltd, is undoubtedly passionate about the food sector. The vice chairman of diversified consumer products and food firm Dabur moved out of the executive role at the mothership when Dabur Foods was merged with the parent company in 2007 and went on to start Lite Bite Foods. The new private venture has already built a string of fine and casual dining restaurant chains with 11 concepts besides being one of the franchisees in India for global QSR chain Subway with total revenues topping Rs 100 crore ($18.2 million). The company also aims to reach Rs 500 crore ($91 million) revenue in two to three years.  Recently, Burman also acquired a fine dining Italian restaurant in London, which will be his private venture separate from Lite Bite. In a candid interaction with VCCircle, he talks about love for food as a business, why he prefers putting his own money or debt rather than bring in PE investors in Lite Bite, margins in the restaurant business and more.