Srinivas P. Mahendra is a visionary entrepreneur from Karimnagar, Telangana, India. He embarked on an inspiring journey that led him to establish InkoTea, a thriving tea café franchise business based in Hyderabad. Driven by his passion for building brands and his belief in the positive impact of businesses by design, he left a successful 14-year career as a software engineer with MNCs like Accenture and HSBC.
After graduating with honors in engineering from JNTU University, Hyderabad, Srinivas followed his heart into entrepreneurship. Entering the retail business with no prior experience in the tea café industry, he aimed to offer a unique and authentic Indian beverage experience. His innovative strategies and dedication yielded promising results in this new venture.
Early Life and Education
Srinivas P. Mahendra, who is revolutionizing tea culture with Inco Tea, was born and brought up in NTPC, Jyothinagar, Karimagar district. He completed 10th standard in his hometown. Following this, he obtained a diploma in mechanical engineering from Warangal. Srinivas furthered his education by completing a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) in Hyderabad.
Commitment to Quality and Authenticity
InkoTea prides itself on delivering handmade, authentic Indian teas sourced from exclusive estates in Assam and Darjeeling. They ensure each brew offers a fantastic taste and promotes good health without artificial colors or flavors. The menu includes a variety of fruit and floral teas, such as White Tea, Blue Tea, Hibiscus Tea, Chamomile Tea, Kashmiri Tea, and Anti-Diabetic Tea, catering to diverse taste preferences.
Social Responsibility and Franchise Model
A distinguishing feature of InkoTea is its commitment to social responsibility. Srinivas, a self-made entrepreneur, strives to offer the best quality teas and beverages while positively impacting society. The franchise offers low-investment unit franchises, with an express model setup costing approximately Rs. 5 Lakhs. This includes Rs. 2 Lakhs for kitchen items, initial raw materials, outlet branding, training, and digital marketing support, with additional funds needed for rent, interior, and exterior setup. The minimum area required is 150 square feet, though a larger space is recommended for a better customer experience.
Overcoming Challenges and Expanding Horizons
Targeting individuals looking to start a business with quick and high returns or seeking a second source of income, InkoTea’s revenue model includes franchise fees and mandatory raw material purchases from the company, with plans to charge royalties. Despite early challenges, including the COVID pandemic, Srinivas’s innovative planning and resilience allowed InkoTea to flourish, expanding to over 32 outlets across Telangana and recently opening a unit franchise in Lucknow, marking their entry into North India. InkoTea is now offering master franchises across India at affordable prices, with aspirations to expand internationally to countries like the USA, UK, and Australia.
Recognition and Future Innovations
Srinivas P. Mahendra and InkoTea have received numerous accolades, including Best Emerging Start-Up (F&B) of the Year in 2021, Best Tea Franchise of the Year in 2022, and Fastest Growing Tea Franchise in India in 2023. To further revolutionize the beverage experience, Srinivas and his team are developing an innovative IoT-enabled vending machine that offers fresh, customizable beverages and packed snacks at the touch of a button, integrating the latest technologies for a convenient and delightful customer experience.
Personal Reflections and Motivation
Srinivas attributes his success to the unwavering support and trust of his loved ones, who have been his pillars of strength. Their confidence in him has fueled his determination to achieve greatness. His inspiring journey motivates many young entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts, demonstrating how dedication, passion, and innovation can lead to remarkable achievements.
About Us InkoTea
In April 2021, Srinivas founded InkoTea with the vision of creating the perfect tea time experience, prompting customers to ask for “InkoTea,” meaning “one more” in Telugu. Starting with over 20 beverage products, the café now offers more than 40 items, appealing to a diverse clientele. InkoTea has become a welcoming space for families to gather, savor each sip, and create lasting memories. Srinivas’s younger brother, Naresh, joined as a co-founder, overseeing training, outlet supervision, and supply chain management.
Established in Hyderabad, InkoTea is one of the fastest-growing tea café franchises in India. They have begun inviting franchise partners to establish unit franchise outlets and master franchises in Telugu states, with plans to expand across India. InkoTea ensures a delightful tea time by procuring the highest quality tea leaves from Assam and Darjeeling, free from artificial colors and flavors. This commitment guarantees a fantastic taste and promotes good health with every sip. InkoTea’s mission is to refresh and uplift customers, offering a cup of Positivi-Tea that keeps them coming back for more.
Vision: To become India’s leading Tea Franchise by providing tas-tea, quali-tea, and natural-tea in every sip for a refreshing experience!
Mission: To ensure 100% customer satisfaction with every product and service we offer to our esteemed clients.
What makes InkoTea Unique?
We make the best tea with the right methods and techniques which have been in use for many years to give great taste and its benefits to our customers. And we offer a wide range of Tea which you can consume as per your mood or occasions.
We are offering our products at an affordable price. Our prices are reasonable so that you can enjoy Tea, pastry, and others in your budget.
The Road Ahead
As he continues to shine in the tea industry, Srinivas P. Mahendra’s future endeavors hold great promise. His relentless pursuit of excellence and commitment to providing the best tea experience will undoubtedly pave the way for even greater achievements in the years to come.
