When Kiran and Sonali migrated to Australia, they brought culinary talent but faced career challenges. Despite Sonali's background as a textile engineer, finding work in her field proved difficult with Australia's limited textile manufacturing.

Drawing on Sonali's culinary skills, they began offering home catering in 2011-2012. "We were limited to a small group of people, because it was always family gatherings," Kiran recalls. This realisation sparked their ambition to reach a broader audience.

"Most Indian restaurants provide North Indian or South Indian food. But we started offering Mumbai street food and Maharashtrian cuisine, which is from the western part of India," Kiran explains.

When the pandemic hit shortly after opening their café, Kiran and Sonali faced a critical decision. Rather than closing, they pivoted to delivery: "We decided not to put a 'temporarily closed' sign on our door. We focused on takeaways with all the delivery platforms – Uber Eats, Door Dash, Deliveroo, Menu Log, Easy Eat."

By 2023, they were ready to expand but faced the universal challenge of hospitality businesses: securing appropriate financing for growth without overextending themselves.

In 2019, Kiran approached Finance Beagle through his connection with Dhaval, seeking financing for their restaurant expansion plans. What began as a request for fit-out and equipment financing quickly evolved into a strategic finance partnership with Brittany, who now leads the relationship.

"We have regular catch-ups with Brittany from Finance Beagle," Kiran explains. "She discusses which milestones we're reaching, which ones we've missed, and what's going according to plan. Brittany always advises us on what we need to do and what's expected."

“Brittany helps us plan ahead. We don’t just talk about the next few months—we look at the whole year,” says Kiran.

Rather than simply processing loan applications, Finance Beagle became actively involved in Chai 'N' Chilli's expansion strategy through regular quarterly meetings.

"We have regular catch-ups with them, discussing which milestones we're reaching, which ones we've missed, and what's going according to plan," Kiran explains. "Finance Beagle always advises us on what we need to do and what's expected."

When considering expansion, Brittany from Finance Beagle helps Kiran assess whether the financial projections for each new venture are realistic.

“When I float an idea about starting another restaurant, Brittany helps me look at the numbers,” says Kiran. “She checks whether our assumptions make sense, and whether the financials will actually support the idea.”

“It’s not just about getting funding,” he adds. “It’s about making sure we’re not being overly optimistic and that we’re not taking on something that could become a burden.”

Instead of maximising loan amounts, Finance Beagle focuses on appropriate financing levels.

"It's not just, 'You need $500K, we'll give you $500K,'" Kiran emphasizes. "They'll ask, 'Can you reduce it? What are your actual needs?' There's always careful consideration attached to it, saying, 'We hope you're not taking on too much.'"

Finance Beagle provides ongoing education about optimal financing structures for hospitality businesses.

"They educate me as well, which is good for me," says Kiran. "If you want to grow, you need financial discipline, and that's what comes from this relationship with Finance Beagle."

FinanceBeagle helped secure appropriate financing for Chai 'N' Chilli to move from their original 15-seat Docklands café to a 45-seat restaurant in Melbourne's CBD area.

"We moved from Docklands to Melbourne's CBD area in May 2023," Kiran explains. "We expanded from a 15-seater to a 45-seater restaurant, and our team also grew accordingly."

In their most ambitious expansion yet, FinanceBeagle helped Chai 'N' Chilli secure financing for a 170-seat venue in Clayton that serves dual purposes.

"In April 2024, we opened another location in Clayton called Chai 'N' Chilli Clayton. It's our largest venue—170 seats," says Kiran proudly. "It's a function hall plus restaurant. We operate the restaurant downstairs, and have the function hall upstairs."

This significant expansion required substantial capital investment and careful financial planning—exactly the type of complex financing scenario where FinanceBeagle's expertise proved invaluable.

Throughout their expansion journey, Chai 'N' Chilli has maintained perfect financial health, positioning them for continued growth.

"The good thing is that we've had no defaults. We're on the right track," Kiran notes. "Throughout our journey of expansion, we've maintained a strong partnership with Finance Beagle."

What sets FinanceBeagle apart from other financiers is their ongoing commitment to Chai 'N' Chilli's business success.

"Every quarter we talk, even if it's not an official meeting," Kiran explains. "During those conversations, we exchange feedback about what's happening and whether we're meeting our financial targets."

This regular strategic discussion helps Chai 'N' Chilli make informed decisions about their business:

If you're in the hospitality industry and considering expansion, equipment upgrades, or refinancing, FinanceBeagle offers the same strategic partnership approach that helped Chai 'N' Chilli grow from a small café to a multi-venue restaurant group with a 170-seat flagship location.

Our expertise for hospitality businesses includes:

• Strategic equipment and fit-out financing
• Customised financing solutions for restaurants and cafés
• Financial viability analysis to ensure sustainable growth
• Cash flow management during expansion
• Regular business performance reviews