Business Remedies | Rajshree Upadhyaya | July 29, 2025 | MOPP Foods was founded in 2019 when Gaurav Gupta, an IIT alumnus with deep expertise in project management, and his wife Geetika Anand Gupta, a gold-medalist MBA and seasoned marketing professional, decided to redefine how Indians consume their favourite comfort food. Spotting a gap in the market for clean and delivery-friendly versions of traditional North Indian street snacks, the couple launched their flagship virtual brand, Mad Over Paratha & Pakoda, from a small cloud kitchen in Gurugram.
Their goal was simple yet ambitious: to serve old classics like pakoras and parathas with consistent quality, thoughtful packaging, and the warmth of home-cooked meals. Their parathas were large and generously stuffed with bold flavours like butter chicken or aloo-pyaz. Their approach was rooted in operational precision and a deep understanding of consumer behaviour in the age of food delivery.
Soon, orders began to pour in, and within months, MOPP was serving over 400 meals daily. Encouraged by early success and positive reviews, the founders expanded their offerings. They launched a sub-brand called Mealley, focused on affordable everyday home-style meals, and soon followed with concepts like Yumm Biryani Bowls, Mad Over Curry, Khichdi in a Bowl, and Sassy Indian-each catering to different cravings while staying rooted in Indian culinary traditions. Operating through the cloud kitchen model allowed the team to maintain hygiene standards, control quality, and experiment with new SKUs and categories without the overhead of dine-in formats.
A Surge in Customer Traction
To scale operations, they raised initial funding in 2020 and continued to attract investor interest. A pivotal moment arrived in 2021 when India Accelerator’s iAngel Network invested seed capital, allowing the business to grow from three kitchens to a robust distribution operation across Delhi-NCR.
Their appearance on Shark Tank India Season 2 brought them nationwide visibility. In Episode 14, Gaurav and Geetika pitched for Rs. 75 lakhs in exchange for 2.25% equity, valuing the company at Rs. 33 crore. While some Sharks opted out citing intense competition in the food delivery space, Amit Jain of CarDekho recognized the potential and offered Rs. 75 lakhs for a 5% stake.
Following the episode’s telecast, MOPP Foods experienced a surge in customer interest, with monthly orders crossing 25,000. Their unit economics remained strong, with kitchen-level EBITDA margins close to 15% and consistent month-on-month growth. The media exposure also attracted fresh attention from institutional investors and food-tech players.
Strengthening Tech, Culinary R&D, and Supply Chain
In March 2025, the company entered into a strategic partnership with Bengaluru-based Cauzina Food Tech, a cloud kitchen aggregator operating over 200 kitchens across 90 Indian cities. This collaboration enabled MOPP Foods to integrate its brands into Cauzina’s vast network, significantly expanding their reach and positioning them for national dominance.
Cauzina’s investment not only provided infrastructure support to MOPP but also offered access to enhanced technology, culinary R&D, and a more robust supply chain. Alongside growth, the founders remained committed to building a purpose-driven brand.
Creating Employment for Underserved Communities
Through their MOPP Cares initiative, they created employment opportunities for underserved communities and partnered with local NGOs for workforce training. Their brand philosophy centred on emotional connection, trust, and quality-values that helped them stand out in a crowded space. Today, MOPP Foods is not just a successful food-tech venture but also a story of passion and execution. From humble beginnings in a single kitchen to becoming a Shark Tank-backed, investor-led, multi-brand powerhouse, they have transformed the concept of street food into a delivery-first, scalable, tech-enabled business.
With plans to expand into the frozen and ready-to-eat segments for the Indian diaspora and exploring IPO possibilities in the coming years, the journey of Gaurav and Geetika Gupta will continue to inspire the next generation of food entrepreneurs in India.
Written & Edited By:
Rajshree Upadhyaya
