MTR eyes spreading its aroma in California

A clutch of PE investors have been approaching MTR to pick up a stake

The next time around you are in the state of California, the United States' most populous state on the West Coast, there's a chance that you might just about get to snack on some of the delicacies piping hot that are served in the famous landmark of Bangalore, the Mavalli Tiffin Rooms (MTR).

The management of MTR is understood to be in advanced discussions with a local partner in California for a franchise agreement for setting up an MTR restaurant.

"We have started discussions, but it is too early to comment if it will eventually lead to an outlet in the US," said Hemamalini Maiya, who along with her brother manages the MTR in Bangalore.

The state of California, which houses the Silicon Valley, is home to hundreds of technology companies and they have been drawing scores of Indians over the years.

As and when MTR finalises its plans to set up shop in California, it will join another famous Indian restaurant - Saravana Bhavan - which is located in Sunnyvale, California.

Hemamalini Maiya, the granddaughter of MTR founder Yajnanarayana Maiya, has been innovating and in the past few years has expanded the reach of MTR across Bangalore city with contemporary restaurants catering to the cosmopolitan crowd but at the same time making sure the identity of the signature restaurant is intact.

The restaurant, set up in 1924, has grown in stature, and in the recent past set up its first overseas restaurant in Singapore. It is understood that MTR is also looking to set up an outlet in Dubai besides looking at other cities in India.

It is further understood that a clutch of private equity investors have been approaching MTR to pick up a stake, though the promoters are not ready yet.