Himal Press 
Life, dreams, and goals are interconnected elements that shape our journey. A dream transcends mere imagination; it becomes a cornerstone of purpose for many. However, people must relentlessly strive to manifest their dreams. Kamal Jung Kunwar of Butwal is one such individual who has transformed dreams into reality.
The success that Kunwar tasted at the age of just 33 serves as an inspiration to many. He has transformed a business started in a roadside cart into a thriving business. Today, he is the proud owner of Daddy’s Kitchen – an eatery chain. Daddy’s Kitchen which was started in Dipnagar of Butwal about a decade ago has now expanded to different cities. The brand has ingrained itself into Butwal’s culture, boasting outlets in Kalikanagar and Amarpath as well as Sainamaina. Expanding further, Daddy’s Kitchen has now established its presence in Kathmandu and Pokhara. “Once we started accepting orders from our own mobile application app and online platforms, there has been no looking back,” Kunwar said.
Daddy’s Kitchen has outlets at New Baneshwar and Tinkune in Kathmandu. Similarly, Pokhara houses outlets at Chipledhunga, Mustang Chowk, and Ram Mandir. He expanded to Pokhara eight years ago and to Kathmandu six years ago.
“While in college, I observed street vendors selling delicacies like chow mein and momo,” Kunwar recollects. “These vendors kindled the spark for Daddy’s Kitchen in me.”
Kunwar came to Butwal in 2007, after completing his school education in his hometown Sandhikharka in the Arghakhanchi district. He joined Lumbini Commerce Campus to get closer to fulfilling his inherent desire for entrepreneurship. His vision of Daddy’s Kitchen took shape during his time at Axis College in Sukkhanagar, Butwal, while pursuing BBABI studies.
A deep-rooted connection to his homeland encouraged Kunwar to do something in Nepal. Since his siblings were abroad, he didn’t have any financial problems at that time. “But it was difficult to see my brothers toil in a foreign land, away from home and family. Thus, I opted against going abroad,” Kunwar asserted. “I wanted to do something within the country.”
Initially, Kunwar ventured into a cafe within Deepnagar, Butwal. His aim was to serve affordable fast-food items like chow mein and momo akin to street vendors. However, his first stint in entrepreneurship failed. He suffered a huge loss.
“During that time, my friends suggested that I try alternative paths,” Kunwar shared. “My academic credentials could have secured a banking job. However, my heart yearned for entrepreneurship.”
Learning a lesson from the failure of his cafe, he took the food cart approach. With an initial investment of Rs 25,000, he procured a cart and rented it out in the busy Chauraha area. However, it also didn’t work. Later, he took the cart to Sukkhanagar area and started offering a variety of dishes himself. The cart went on to grow into Daddy’s Kitchen.
The path to success, however, was far from easy. “People would say what I, as an accomplished student, was doing running a roadside eatery instead of working in banks.,” he said.
But Kunwar remained resolute. Using money saved from his cart business, Kunwar scaled to a food truck stationed at Traffic Chowk. “I began with one assistant on the cart, and was soon joined by 15/16 others,” he remarked. “Today, my enterprise employs 617 individuals nationwide.”
After winning Butwal’s heart, Kunwar took his food truck to Pokhara and Kathmandu followed. Today, Daddy’s Kitchen has seven outlets – three each in Butwal and Pokhara, and one in Kathmandu. Likewise, the renowned ‘Cooker Coffee’ brand from Butwal has also found its way to Kathmandu. Serving an average of 3,000 customers across Butwal, Kathmandu, and Pokhara, Daddy’s Kitchen also serves hundreds of others through online deliveries through its mobile app and online platforms. Daddy’s Kitchen provides a 5-7 percent discount to app users. “Around 20 percent of orders come via the app,” Kunwar disclosed. “Half of our home deliveries are app-driven.”
Kunwar has allocated three dedicated staff for online orders and another seven for delivery. “Every day, we process about 600 online orders. Additionally, we vend bakery items online in Kathmandu,” he added.
In the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, Kunwar retained his workforce in Butwal and Pokhara, channeling their efforts into food delivery to hospitals. “We took phone and online orders, and delivered food safely to homes and medical facilities,” he added.
As part of expanding his business further, Kunwar introduced a new eatery brand, Papaya, in Butwal last year. This venture, located in Kalikanagar, exclusively employs women and offers health-conscious fruit, juices, and meals. “We serve health-enhancing fare, devoid of sugars and similar additives,” he Kunwar added. “We provide 10% working shares to employees along with their salaries.”
As Daddy’s Kitchen captures hearts across Butwal, Pokhara, and Kathmandu, Kunwar is eyeing expansion into neighboring India. He is the sole owner of this venture so far. He, however, terms his sister Sarita Kunwar, who is helping him in Butwal; Sandeep Chundali, who oversees operations in Pokhara; and his nephew Padma Jang Kunwar, who looks after Kathmandu operations, as the three pillars of his venture.
