# Evolving Palate Inc.

“Best Casual Contemporary Indian Restaurant,” growing at 30% YOY. 

## Elevator pitch
Desi is a modern casual Indian restaurant featuring contemporary Indian Street food with global influences. Our flavors are firmly rooted in Indian food, with influences from around the world, resulting in adventurous, delicious dishes. We believe that the world's cuisines are more similar than different, and celebrate how various signature dishes, worlds apart, have striking similarities.

- Canonical URL: https://wefunder.com/evolving.palate.inc.2
- Entity ID: wefunder:company:122734
- Last updated: 2026-06-07T23:52:55Z
- Generated at: 2026-06-08T03:17:02Z

## Quick facts
- 💵 2x annual revenue since opening in 2020 — $1.5M+ revenue in the last 12 months
- 🚀 Multiple revenue streams with 30% annual year-over-year growth rate
- 📈 Massive underserved market with popularity of Indian food growing rapidly at 41%
- 💵 Gross profit 70%+ & net profit 15%+ of revenue | Online eatatdesi.com annual sales revenue: $200k+
- 📍 Centralized Hubs and strategically located Spokes allow for scale and market penetration
- 📺 Featured on National TV - CBS - Destination SF. Recognized by magazines: LuxLife, Flavor, Plates
- 🍛 Serving Indian street food to the masses in a contemporary fast-casual dining concept
- Exclusive desi VIP club membership & subscription for - online ordering plans, events, discounts, tastings & samplers.

## Active fundraises
- wefunder:fundraise:69699: 4(a)(6) open (USD)

## Story
Americans are hungrier than ever for high quality Indian food—over the past 12 months alone, Instagrammers tagged over seven million posts with #indianfood. It’s the second most popular cuisine on social media, growing rapidly at 41%. Desi tackles today’s biggest trend by combining our award-winning Indian dishes, handcrafted drinks from our “Gabru Bar,” and a one-of-a-kind experience. Growing exponentially by over 30% year-on-year, we’re poised to capture additional shares of this new market. Nationwide, there are only 5,000 Indian restaurants—that’s roughly one Indian restaurant for every 66,000 people. For Chinese restaurants, that number is 14,000, and for Mexican restaurants, 6,900. It's time for high-quality, fresh, fast, and affordable Indian cuisine to take center stage in this fast-growing market.Desi has struck a chord with patrons, and our numbers speak for themselves. Our sales continue to grow exponentially by over 30% year-on-year, and haven't even been slowed down by a global pandemic! Revenue in the last 12 months: $1.5M+Online website sales revenue: $200k+Annual YOY growth rate: 30%Gross profit 70%+ & net profit 15%+ of revenueDelivery vendor partnerships: 15Number of customers served: 50KAverage check price: $15-$20 Unlike your traditional "Indian restaurant," our business model reaches far beyond "butter chicken & naan" or a lunch buffet.Desi serves our customers all the delicious and healthy contemporary Indian street food they've been drooling over on social media, all seamlessly. Food can be delivered with the same freshness, texture, and taste even after 30-45 minutes of delivery time. Leveraging data and technology, we bring speedy service to our guests without sacrificing food—something traditional Indian establishments cannot.Our flagship store is strategically located in the San Francisco Bay Area with multiple diner demographics. With an average household income of $138K, 77% of area residents dine out at least once a week while 61% order delivery. Our lunch population increases to over 324K in the immediate area during the day. Thousands of startups and 38 Fortune 500 companies located in our technological supercenter also create corporate catering opportunities. Numerous colleges and universities are located in Silicon Valley, including Stanford and San Jose State.Desi is poised to break into similar tier 1 metro suburbs thanks to its proven experience breaking into such markets and leveraging existing assets to capture new markets efficiently. We have 25+ planned locations and we're partnering with Food and Beverage Technology partners to place our signature recipes in automated vending machines.Our global Indian dishes pull inspiration from a variety of world cuisines offering customers a new experience with the foods they already love:Our “Tikka Chance on Me” compares to BruschettaOur “Savory Gujia” compares to EmpanadasOur “Butter Chicken Kulcha Taco” compares to Chalupas/TacosOur “Kathi Roll Wrap” compares to a Shawarma wrapOur “Verde Cutlet” compares to a FalafelMeanwhile, our “DIY” meals offer customers a fast yet highly customizable option: choose between a bowl, taco, naan wrap, or salad and select a variety of Indian fillings. Our food has the qualities of gourmet meals, but we are standardized enough so they can be prepared quickly like fast casual establishments.We anticipate further growth from our Gabru Bar's craft cocktail program, which accounts for 13.5% of our profit. A partnership with Bittercube Bitters and mixology mentoring from the Drinks Apothecary lets us elevate Desi's drink experience. Find homemade infusions, original syrups, branded ice cubes, edible garnishes, and flavor profiles you won't find anywhere else.The Distilled Spirits Council reported a 42% increase in revenue for Premixed Cocktails and Spirits-Based RTD suppliers between 2020 and 21. Desi's Ready-To-Drink Cocktails program, which delivers the bar to any location, will benefit from this. It offers the variety, taste, and convenience that customers are looking for - just open, pour over ice, and enjoy.Despite being a young startup, Desi has won several coveted awards and has been featured nationally – giving a boost to a cuisine that has long been a sideshow in global gastronomy. Likewise, our customers are thrilled to express the exciting and scrumptious experiences they’ve had at Desi.We've partnered with several leading and national delivery companies for corporate catering and events as well as through our direct website eatatdesi.com, bringing in over $200k+ in annual sales. We have 15 delivery partnerships, including Grubhub, Uber Eats, Bentobox, and Doordash to name a few.The fast and contemporary casual restaurant market size is set to grow by $186B accelerating at a CAGR of 12.41%. With 44% of the growth to originate from North America, the US holds a massive market potential. Desi intends to capture market share using our existing infrastructure and limited competition.Due to its bold, robust, and complex flavors, it continues to gain popularity among Millennials. A YouGov survey commissioned by Deep Indian Kitchen revealed a soaring demand for authentic international flavors. Notably, chicken tikka masala is the second most craved international dish.Millennials are also increasingly seeking healthier meal options such as plant-based foods. SPINS retail sales data shows that grocery sales of plant-based foods have grown 6 percent in the past year—and 54 percent in the last three years. Desi's stands to benefit from this trend as our flavors find influences from around the world, resulting in a unique, delicious, handcrafted experience. Further, our heavy use of plant-based ingredients such as beans, lentils, and so many other good-for-you ingredients capitalizes on this growing healthy eating trend.With Indian Americans being the second-largest immigrant group in the United States, swelling north of 4 million, this will also fuel demand for Indian cuisine. Among the fastest growing demographics, Indians grew by 142% between 2000 and 2019. The median household income for Indians is $123K, almost double the national average, allowing for higher average check prices. A streamlined process has been implemented to allow for scalability. Our operational assets include advanced equipment/automation for F&B manufacturing and a centralized kitchen to cut costs and boost efficiency. Our IT assets include a well-established web, app ordering platform, and rewards-based programs.We plan to add kiosk-based ordering systems, an automated kitchen and bar, innovative packaging for extended delivery, which can easily double our revenue.We have the potential to fill the need for one of the fastest growing cuisines in one of the most underserved markets. With the help of our existing processes, experience, and infrastructure, we can expand into new markets and accelerate our growth.Invest now in Desi and join the growth of an award-winning Indian food establishment. Plus, when you invest in Desi via Wefunder, you get access to limited time investor perks.Per Unit Growth AnalysisFAQsWhat is an investment reservation?Reservations aren't investments - let's start with that. Reservations are non-binding pledges done before the company files their legal paperwork, in what we call "Testing the Waters" or TTW for short. This means no money is sent to the company and no contracts are signed. Companies hold a "Testing the Waters" phase to see whether there is enough interest to have a successful campaign.Reservations do not guarantee entry into the fundraise, early bird terms, etc. Essentially, you're saying "I like this company and would like to invest $X once the campaign starts!"Why charge now and hold the amount in Wefunder if it's only a reservation?Wefunder is prohibited by law from touching your money.When you invest, your funds are transferred to an escrow account, in custody of Boston Private Bank. If the fundraise succeeds, your money will be released to the startup. Otherwise, it will be refunded to you.Transferring funds to your Cash account right after making a reservation helps you to invest faster – you can apply funds from there once you confirm an investmentWill my investment be canceled/returned?You can change your mind anytime up until a fundraise closes and you will receive a full refund, including any fees. Unfortunately, investments cannot be canceled once the fundraise closes.How and when do you send the perks?We’ll reach out shortly after the fundraising campaign has ended and finalized with information on how to claim any perk(s) you may have.

## FAQ
1. **initially for Higher investment you should offer 10% giftcard**
   - Thank you for your suggestion. We will try to incorporate your feedback.
2. **I love food concepts. I invested in several and we are crushing it. I am wondering are you planning on just corporate locations, eventually franchising or both.**
   - we are considering both company stores and franchising.
3. **Never mind I watched your video .should have done that first. What are you going to do if you don't raise too much more especially compared to your goal. Hate to invest just to get my money back later. Some companies just take what they can get if they don't have a minimum amo...**
   - We are working to build more traction around the campaign. However, per the platform rules, the company must have $50,000 reserved before we will be eligible to withdraw funds and issue subscription agreements to our investors.
4. **I'd love to know more about who is behind Evolving Palate, their work experience, industry experience if any, etc. Can you refer me to a website or send me an email?**
   - Thank you for reaching out. Could you please send an email to info@eatatdesi.com with your contact details and we will follow up soon. Learn more about us at: https://www.eatatdesi.com https://instagram.com/eatatdesi
5. **Why the name Desi?**
   - Desi comes from a Sanskrit word "Desh" means a person or thing belonging to a country, used very often for people or things from south asian countries like India, Pakistan or Bangladesh. Our concept demonstrates strong roots with Indian food and its historical connection to native cuisines from other country and how food tastes have influenced and evolved over time. We have a modern twist to the desi menu items and hence desi contemporary Indian casual and best rising as a category called Cal...

## Team
- Mohit Nagrath (Founder and CEO )
- Archana Nagrath (Founder and COO)

## Q&A
- Q: I have a few questions: Over the years, Indian food has largely revolved around familiar items like Nan, Roti, Biryani, Butter Chicken, Paneer Bindi Masala, etc. There seems to be a lack of innovation in blending spices, and there's little notable difference between Indian restaurants, except for regional variations. What plans do you have in place to bring about significant changes? How did you arrive at a $15 million valuation? To me, it seems quite high. Desi appears to operate like a family business at the moment, with the management seemingly coming from the same family. What strategies do you have for strengthening the management structure, perhaps by establishing a proper board of directors? What is your long-term plan for Desi - are you considering an IPO or an exit? Thanks in advance for responding to these questions.
  - A: Thanks for your questions. 1. Please visit our website to learn more about our story, F&B concept if you did not get a chance. https://www.eatatdesi.com to answer your first question. 2. That's determined by various factors like industry, market trends, platform and our company etc. 3. We have been continuously working with a lot of industry professionals, leading F&B companies and veteran advisors in the space from inception and have a roadmap that we are executing and would be bringing in the right resources at the right time. However some of the world's leading brands which went IPO or publicly listed have been family owned businesses too. please check this out: https://www.tharawat-magazine.com/facts/ten-biggest-ipos/
- Q: I can give you a lot of input on developing really successful restaurant venture via email. For years no Indian has succeeded in a proper restaurant chain in usa. If you do it right you have a chance. Let me know if you are interested in my input
  - A: Thanks for reaching out. Would definitely like to connect. Could you please reach out at info@eatatdesi.com with your contact details?
- Q: initially for Higher investment you should offer 10% giftcard
  - A: Thank you for your suggestion. We will try to incorporate your feedback.
- Q: Once funding has been secured, how do you plan to give investors a ROI? Will there be annual dividends or profit sharing?
- Q: Hi - Two questions here: 1: There was a mention of 25+ planned locations for expansion. What is the timeline for this expansion, the strategy to support that kind of growth, and which regions are looking at expansion in the short- vs. long-term? 2: Do you plan on having alcohol sales in all locations going forward? Thanks!
- Q: Is the investment based on equity, revenue or profit share? If equity based then what does exit looks like? Thanks.
  - A: Equity. We will be at the forefront of leveraging latest data, technology, automation and AI as detailed in the plan for advancements in the F&B industry to grow the concept and a build a consumer facing brand. The segment is rapidly growing and has a lot of potential opportunities and unsolved consumer problems. So we would have a lot of different equity options for exit that you can think of as we move through different stages. This is just the beginning.
- Q: Why the name Desi?
  - A: Desi comes from a Sanskrit word "Desh" means a person or thing belonging to a country, used very often for people or things from south asian countries like India, Pakistan or Bangladesh. Our concept demonstrates strong roots with Indian food and its historical connection to native cuisines from other country and how food tastes have influenced and evolved over time. We have a modern twist to the desi menu items and hence desi contemporary Indian casual and best rising as a category called Cal Indian Cuisine.
- Q: I'd love to know more about who is behind Evolving Palate, their work experience, industry experience if any, etc. Can you refer me to a website or send me an email?
  - A: Thank you for reaching out. Could you please send an email to info@eatatdesi.com with your contact details and we will follow up soon. Learn more about us at: https://www.eatatdesi.com https://instagram.com/eatatdesi
- Q: if i didn't put in restaurant i wouldn't have known you existed. when i scroll through for some reason i don't see you. thing to is many people think that restaurants are hurting big time right now people aren't eating out, save save save. all my restaurant, franchise concepts are crushing it. the average person goes by what they hear on tv etc, they rarely look into stuff. thanks for your time.
- Q: When will the investment begin and when will it end? thank you,
- Q: glad to see you raised more. i agree with one of the comments about indian restaurants not doing well in the united states. i went to india a few months ago and tried the food, i was shocked i really liked it cause i am very picky. i came back and tried a restaurant where i live and the food was not good at all i could taste the difference. we want the food etc to be like in india we have a homerun once everything is fine tuned etc something we can franchise. have ideas regarding that too. thanks and have a good day. food cost, quality everything has to be on point
  - A: Of course. Learn more about us at eatatdesi.com and do visit us.
- Q: Never mind I watched your video .should have done that first. What are you going to do if you don't raise too much more especially compared to your goal. Hate to invest just to get my money back later. Some companies just take what they can get if they don't have a minimum amount. If you are going to take what you can get I am In!
  - A: We are working to build more traction around the campaign. However, per the platform rules, the company must have $50,000 reserved before we will be eligible to withdraw funds and issue subscription agreements to our investors.
- Q: I love food concepts. I invested in several and we are crushing it. I am wondering are you planning on just corporate locations, eventually franchising or both.
  - A: we are considering both company stores and franchising.