Name: Bombay Eats
Address: 1763 Freedom Drive, Naperville
Phone/Website: 630-857-9082; www.bombayeats.com
Owners: Ali and Falguni Dewjee, Chicago
Years in Business: 4 years in Naperville, 16 years total
What Does Bombay Eats Do?
Ali Dewjee describes Bombay Eats as an Indian fast casual restaurant. Customers can personalize their meals by selecting from a variety of options before checking out. This concept draws inspiration from Chipotle. Ali and his wife, Falguni, co-own the business.
Background and Evolution
The journey began in 2010 with Bombay Wraps in the Loop, marking the arrival of the first Indian fast casual in Chicago. It started with fundamental offerings – four meat items, four vegetable items, sides, and drinks. Ali Dewjee, who grew up in Bombay (now Mumbai), aimed to recreate the vibrant street food experience he fondly remembers. Over time, with evolving consumer preferences, the menu expanded to include rice bowls, salads, and sandwich rolls.
Naperville is the first location to open as Bombay Eats, with other branches in the Loop, Streeterville, and Lakeview. The diverse locations cater to tourists, local residents, and the working population.
Operating Hours
Bombay Eats operates from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday. They remain closed on Sundays to offer a break even for their city locations.
New Offerings
The BombayRito has recently been launched and is gaining popularity. It aims to provide customers with good value, especially in the current economic climate of inflation.
Ali Dewjee’s Professional Journey
Before entering the restaurant business, Ali Dewjee worked in consumer packaged goods marketing for PepsiCo for 12 years, managing innovation for Quaker Oats. This experience gave him expertise in idea development, product launch, packaging, and pricing strategies.
Both Ali and Falguni come from entrepreneurial backgrounds. Growing up around family businesses like Ali’s mother’s beauty salon and Falguni’s father’s popular Indian desserts store ingrained entrepreneurial values in them.
Experiences in the U.S.
Having moved to America in the 1990s for his MBA, Ali frequently draws comparisons between Bombay and New York City. He describes Bombay as full of energy and color, much like New York’s ever-busy persona.
Job Satisfaction
Ali Dewjee enjoys hosting and serving people, expressing a genuine passion for his work. However, challenges such as the impacts of COVID-19 and inflation have made times challenging. Finding and retaining employees has also been difficult in recent times.
Challenges and Location Insights
Naperville’s location presents a relatively lower footfall as compared to city centers. The benefit lies in residents from Naperville familiar with Loop locations, resulting in positive feedback.
The fast casual format of Bombay Eats advances the Indian culinary experience, though it poses unique challenges not seen with traditional Indian restaurants.
Current Workforce and Future Plans
The Naperville branch employs four people working in two shifts. Ali frequently visits different locations, navigating the usual hurdles of Chicago traffic.
The idea of expanding within Chicagoland is appealing, with places like Evanston and Hyde Park on the radar. There has also been interest in franchising opportunities.
Ali’s Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Ali emphasizes the importance of balancing passion for food with solid business acumen. Successful restaurant management involves understanding financing, people management, marketing, and customer service beyond culinary skills.