I met Ramesh, a 33-year-old accountant from Pune, at a small café last year. He told me he’d just quit his job after eight years of nine-to-five life. “I wasn’t chasing millions,” he said. “I just wanted something of my own.”
Fast forward a year later, Ramesh runs a successful Chai Sutta Bar franchise on the outskirts of Pune. He invested around ₹8.5 lakh, including rent and renovation. His shop is never empty college students, IT workers, families everyone loves his cutting chai.
What struck me most wasn’t the business itself, but the pride in his eyes. “For the first time, my Sundays are busy but I don’t complain,” he said with a laugh.
That’s the quiet revolution happening across India right now ordinary people starting small franchises under ₹10 lakh, building something stable, and rewriting what success means.
The rise of small-budget franchises
If you rewind ten years, franchising in India used to sound fancy McDonald’s, KFC, Domino’s the kind of names that needed huge capital. But 2025 looks different.
Today, you’ll find hundreds of affordable, homegrown franchise brands popping up in every city and tier-2 town. They focus on practical needs food, tutoring, laundry, beauty, and even EV charging kiosks.
According to Franchise India’s 2024 report, the low-investment franchise segment (below ₹10 lakh) has grown over 30% in the last three years. The reason? Simplicity. These businesses don’t demand big setups. Many can be run from a small rented space or even your home.
And platforms like Azibiz.com make the search easier you can filter verified opportunities by price range, category, and region.
Real Indian brands you can actually start
Here are some franchises that fit within ₹10 lakh real, local, and designed for first-time entrepreneurs.
1. Chai Sutta Bar
Investment: ₹8–10 lakh
There’s something beautifully Indian about chai. This brand thrives on affordable luxury quick service, young crowd, and emotional branding.
2. Giani’s Ice Cream
Investment: ₹7–9 lakh for a kiosk model
Started in Delhi in 1956, Giani’s has built a trusted legacy. Their small outlets are ideal for malls or tourist areas.
3. Lenskart Partner Store
Investment: ₹8–10 lakh (for Tier 2 & 3 cities)
Lenskart’s new micro-store format helps small-town entrepreneurs enter retail without spending a fortune.
4. DTDC Courier
Investment: ₹5–6 lakh
Logistics is booming, especially in smaller towns where e-commerce orders keep growing. DTDC’s franchise program gives strong operational support.
5. EuroKids
Investment: ₹7–9 lakh
Preschool education never goes out of demand. EuroKids provides complete training, curriculum, and marketing. Perfect for educators or homemakers.
6. Naturals Salon Express
Investment: ₹9–10 lakh
A scaled-down model of India’s popular salon brand focused on smaller spaces and local communities.
7. Amul Preferred Outlet
Investment: ₹3–6 lakh
This one’s a classic. The brand practically sells itself, with milk, ice cream, and butter always in demand.
These brands aren’t glamorous startups chasing headlines. They’re steady, well-supported, and built for sustainability.
The mindset shift
A few months ago, I spoke with Priya, a 28-year-old homemaker from Jaipur who started a EuroKids preschool franchise. She told me she’d always loved teaching but never imagined she could run her own center.
“When I saw the investment was under ₹10 lakh, I thought maybe I can do this,” she said.
She started with 15 students. Within a year, she doubled her capacity and hired two teachers. Her story reminds me that franchising isn’t just about profit it’s about independence.
I also met Siddharth from Indore, who runs a DTDC franchise after leaving his call center job. “My father thought I was crazy to quit,” he laughed. “But now he helps me handle deliveries.”
Stories like these are everywhere real, humble, and deeply Indian.
Breaking down the costs
So what does it really take to start a franchise under ₹10 lakh?
Here’s what you typically spend on:
- Franchise Fee: ₹2–4 lakh (depending on brand)
- Setup/Interiors: ₹2–3 lakh
- Initial Stock or Equipment: ₹1–2 lakh
- Working Capital: ₹1–2 lakh
Most brands also include training and marketing support, so you’re not left figuring things out alone. ROI timelines vary, but most small franchises recover their investment within 12–24 months if managed well.
And if you’re short on capital, some banks like SIDBI and HDFC now offer franchise-focused loans, often with women and youth incentives.
Why Indian franchises win hearts
There’s something uniquely emotional about small businesses in India. People don’t just buy chai or send parcels they build relationships.
That’s why local franchise models often outperform fancy imports. They understand cultural rhythms like the 4 pm tea break, the obsession with school admissions, or the Saturday grooming ritual.
And unlike big corporate chains, Indian brands don’t require huge space or rigid menus. You can customize based on local taste and demand.
How to choose the right franchise
Here’s my honest advice don’t pick a brand just because it’s trending.
Before investing, check these:
- Talk to existing franchise owners to understand real profits.
- Visit the brand’s outlet in your city.
- Read the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) carefully.
- Understand how much training and support the franchisor provides.
- Ask about exclusivity will they open another outlet near you?
Websites like Azibiz.com make this process easier. Each listing includes verified data, investment breakdowns, and contact details.
The human side of small business
The more I travel through India from Nashik to Kochi the more I realize something powerful: Indians love small beginnings.
We respect effort. We notice passion. And in the franchise world, that’s everything.
You don’t need perfect English, an MBA, or a fancy business plan. What you need is belief. The same belief Ramesh had when he poured his first cup of chai, or Priya when she painted her preschool walls.
If you can bring consistency and care to your business, growth will follow.
My closing thought
I often tell new entrepreneurs don’t wait for the “right time.” There isn’t one.
Whether it’s a tea shop, courier service, or small preschool, every franchise starts with a leap of faith.
And in India, where every street corner hums with opportunity, that leap is often the best decision you’ll ever make.
You might not make crores overnight, but you’ll build something that’s yours. And sometimes, that’s worth much more.