Written By: Gouri Ghosh

Thali meals have always been a favorite part of Indian cuisine, healthy, varied, and traditional. From Rajasthani to South Indian, each state has its take on the traditional Thali, and customers throughout India relish the variety and equilibrium that goes with it. With dining out increasingly experiential and health-focused, Indian Thali restaurant chains are picking up steam. They are not only steeped in rich cultural heritage but also operate highly efficient, scalable models with recurring customer demand. In  2025, the Indian food franchise industry is set to grow steadily, with Veg Thali franchises being a wise investment opportunity. In this blog, we discuss the top 5 Thali restaurant franchises in India with an investment requirement of ₹35 lakhs and beyond, providing the optimal blend of tradition, scalability, and profitability.

Top 5 Thali Restaurant Franchises  in 2025

Thali restaurants are one of the best food franchise investments to make in 2025 if you plan on venturing into food franchising. Why? Simply because Indian households still appreciate dining together as a family meal, and Thalis provide that, with regional cuisine, unlimited portions, and reliable demand.

Here are some of the top Thali restaurant franchises in India that you can look into, beginning at ₹35 lakhs.

4.1. Rajdhani Thali Restaurant

• Franchise Investment: ₹40–50 Lakhs
• Specialty: Pure Rajasthani-Gujarati Thali
• USP: Unlimited Thalis, festive-style food daily

Support Provided: Full staff training, kitchen & service setup, access to supply chain, brand playbook

Why Rajdhani Makes Sense for Franchisees

Rajdhani is a name familiar to every household in India as far as vegetarian Thalis. With more than 25 restaurants across major cities and even abroad (such as in the UAE), it's one of the most recognized Thali restaurant franchise brands you could invest in.

Whether you're a newcomer to the F&B world or an experienced Investing in Rajdhani means beginning with a brand that already carries demand and customer loyalty in its favor.

Operational Requirements

• Space Required: 2,000–2,500 sq. ft.
• Ideal Locations: Malls, high-street shopping areas, tourist zones

You’ll need a good-sized space for full-service dining, but the returns can justify it, especially in high-footfall areas.

Target Audience & Cuisine Appeal

Rajdhani attracts:

• Families
• Tourists
• Vegetarian diners
• Festival-goers (thanks to their rotating festive menus)

They serve all-you-can-eat Thalis that change based on the season, which keeps customers coming back for something new

Market Trends & Insights

In 2025, when consumers are going back to dine out after COVID and yearning for cultural, value-for-money meals, Rajdhani remains competitive. It is a business model that QSRs or cafés can't copy this is as much about experience as it is about food.

If you are searching for a best-in-class Thali franchise opportunity, Rajdhani is still one of the leading aspirants.

4.2. Panchavati Gaurav

• Franchise Investment: ₹35–45 Lakhs
• Specialty: Marwari vegetarian Thali
• USP: Quick service at an affordable price
• Ideal For: Highways, malls, commercial zones

Why It’s a Smart Investment

Panchavati Gaurav might not have the nationwide fame of Rajdhani yet, but in Maharashtra and Gujarat, it's a local favorite. With 15+ outlets and decades of operating experience, it’s a reliable option if you’re targeting Tier-2 cities or highway diners.

It’s priced attractively for middle-class families and travelers, which makes it ideal for franchisees who want fast-moving, high-volume outlets.

Operational Requirements

• Space Needed: 1,500–2,000 sq. ft.
• Best Places: Shopping malls, highway rest stops, busy city streets

Target Audience & Cuisine Appeal

Look for:

• Budget-conscious families
• Long-distance travelers
• Repeat local customers

The revolving Thali menu attracts regulars who desire variety at a reasonable price. It's also all vegetarian, making it a suitable Veg Thali franchise choice.

Market Trends & Insights

Thali restaurants that emphasize value-for-money eating are faring well in smaller cities. Compared to fast-food QSRs and cafés, Panchavati provides a full meal, ideal for the Indian palate.

If your vision is consistent footfalls and volumes without high pricing, this is one of the highest-value Thali franchise opportunities in India.

4.3. Khandani Rajdhani 

• Franchise Investment: ₹35–40 Lakhs
• Specialty: Fast-casual Gujarati Thali
• USP: Small space, rapid service, same Rajdhani quality
• Target Market: Airports, IT parks, city centers

Why It's a Great Choice

• It's perfect for spaces where space is costly or in short supply, airports, IT parks, or metro stops come to mind.
• It still delivers the same Thali experience, just with more speed and less square footage.

Operational Requirements

• Space Required: 800–1,200 sq. ft.
• Ideal Locations: High-rent urban areas, office parks, transport hubs
• Lower real estate costs make this a great entry-level Thali franchise business for first-time food investors.

Target Audience & Cuisine Appeal

You’ll be serving:

• Office-goers
• Commuters
• Young professionals looking for a quick but full meal

Market Trends & Insights

The fast-casual dining segment is booming in India. This model blends the strengths of QSRs (speed and convenience) with traditional Thali dining. It’s a sweet spot for today’s urban customer.

If you’re looking to open a small-format Thali restaurant franchise in India, this could be your ideal match.

4.4. Manbhavan Thali Restaurant

• Franchise Investment: ₹40–50 Lakhs
• Specialty: Pure vegetarian Rajasthani-Gujarati Thali
• USP: High-end service with traditional touches such as table-side handwashing
• Support Provided: End-to-end training, staff recruitment, pre-launch marketing, full operational support

Why Manbhavan Is Gaining Ground

It's still on the rise, but it's rising quickly, particularly in western and central India..

Operational Requirements

Space Required: 2,000–2,500 sq. ft

Target Audience & Cuisine Appeal

You’ll attract:

• Families
• Religious or cultural dinners

The Thali menu is complemented with seasonal Thalis and specialty festival food, so it's ideal for celebrations or religious affairs as well.

Market Trends & Insights

As consumers increasingly opt for experience over speed, Manbhavan is bridging the gap between fine dining and fast food. It is not merely about food intake; it's about the cultural Thali experience, which resonates deeply in 2025.

If you're looking for a Thali restaurant franchise in India with an emphasis on service, ambiance, and repeat family patronage, Manbhavan is the one you should have on your list.

4.5. KK Thali Restaurant

• Franchise Investment: ₹35–75 Lakhs (as per format size)
• Support Provided: Entire kitchen setup, SOPs, trained personnel, operational training

Why KK Thali Is Designed for Scale

Whether you are a first-time investor or desire a scalable food venture with rapid ROI, KK Thali provides adaptability. Mini outlets (800 sq. ft.) to full-service restaurants (3,000 sq. ft.), you can pick what works best for your site and finances.

It's planned to facilitate high-volume operations and develop strong backend systems to take care of new franchisees-even if it's your first venture into the Thali enterprise.

Operational Needs

• Mini Size: 800–1,000 sq. ft.
• Full Size: 2,500–3,000 sq. ft.
• Best For: Food courts, city centers, malls, and even independent commercial areas

Target Market & Cuisine Draw

Their extensive menu will draw in:

• Office workers
• Students
• Families seeking variety at an affordable price

They change up regional menus every week, so someone visiting on Monday may be back on Thursday for a different experience. That bodes well for repeat traffic.

Market Trends & Insights

With value-for-money and full-meal as the Indian consumer's top priorities, KK Thali is perfectly placed in 2025. It provides quicker payback and facilitates multi-unit expansion.

Conclusion

With increasing demand for local, vegetarian dishes and faithful customers, the Veg Thali franchises' business model is culturally-based yet financially astute.

Whether you opt for a high-end dining model or a small, high-volume one, each of these brands provides robust support, tested systems, and solid ROI potential. These are among the top Thali franchise opportunities available in India, with investment levels beginning at ₹35 lakhs.

Today is the time to capitalize on the expanding market for real Indian food as well as create a profitable Thali restaurant franchise business that serves tradition and taste.

Disclaimer: The brands mentioned in this blog are the recommendations provided by the author. FranchiseBAZAR does not claim to work with these brands / represent them / or are associated with them in any manner. Investors and prospective franchisees are to do their own due diligence before investing in any franchise business at their own risk and discretion. FranchiseBAZAR or its Directors disclaim any liability or risks arising out of any transactions that may take place due to the information provided in this blog.