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Small chain, big success

PTR Coffee and Tiffin Centres are rated high by customers

Photo: S. James

CATERING to the customer's needs

Eating out for fun to break the monotony is fast becoming a common affair these days. But there is a chain, which also caters exclusively to those who have a busy schedule — the P.T.R. Coffee and Tiffin Centre.

Like other regular restaurants, it does not have extravagant items listed in its menu. But the quality and taste of its dishes receive an overwhelming patronage. This joint is not for those who wish to while away their time. Everything happens in a flash here, right from taking the orders, serving the customers and even those who come to eat finish off their `job' quickly.

"Things are going along expected lines. We wanted to make these joints as an extension of our coffee and teashops. Hence, we offer only limited varieties," says P. David Raja, the second in the family of four brothers,who run the joints.

Competitive rates

The cost is very competitive here, as the owners have fixed a flat rate of Rs.7 for whatever you order. Right from ghee roast (ghee dosa) to the variety rice including tomato rice, tamarind rice and `ven pongal', all cost the same and fetches mindboggling number of customers. "Originally, we were milk suppliers to big hotels and restaurants in the city. A decade's experience as milk vendors was enough for us to start our own teashop near Koodal Alagar Perumal Temple close to Periyar Bus Stand. Hit by the instant success of our shop, we started offering milk sweets to our customers at very competitive rates. Success propelled us further to convert it into a mini tiffin centre selling idlis, dosas and vadas to people around the busy Bus Stand. Yet again, success smiled on us and we opened other branches," he reminisces. The group of joints was named after the eldest in the family, P. Thangaraj. The other brothers are P. Immanuel Raja and P. Dharmaraj.

"I have been a regular customer here for the past three years. The rates offered by this joint are not hard on your purse. You can finish off your breakfast or lunch or dinner within Rs.20, which also includes a coffee or tea. Besides the quality of the food and the taste matches the best in the industry," says R. Pandiaraja, a businessman from Mahalipatti.

No loss-no gain

But how is it possible? "We operate our joints on no loss-no gain method. When we started this joint we were quite new to the profession and literally had no idea of running a hotel. But we decided to give our best to the customers. We do it as a service. Hence, we do not expect any big profit from this business. We never compromise on quality of food. And by God's grace it has been a rewarding experience for us till now," beams Mr. David Raj.

From idlis and dosas the menu list has now extended to accommodate `chola poori', `parotta' and `chappathi'. And the owners promise that the list will have more varieties shortly. "We have plans to offer fried rice and `chilli parotta'. We are working out on the feasibility of opening a meals section, for which we may require a bigger space," he says. The restaurant opens at 6.30 a.m. and closes at 11 p.m. without any break in between. With the motto of quality food at affordable cost the number of P.T.R. joints has extended to eight, which includes those at Thavittu Chandhai, Kaalavaasal, P.P. Chavadi, Munichalai, Yanaikal, Arasaradi and K. Pudur, spread across the length and breadth of the city. A new one is coming up on the New Jail Road in a month's time.

T. SARAVANAN

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