Annapoorna
Damodaraswamy Naidu and his three brothers, Rangaswamy Naidu, Ramaswamy Naidu and Lakshman Naidu founded the eatery empire in the year 1968. In an era when the hotel industry was yet to be explored, the founders were able to perceive a lucrative business opportunity. Their readiness to venture into this risky prospect were remarkable.
Despite being bred in an agricultural background, the brothers were clear about the do’s and don’ts of running a business. They envisioned a restaurant that could cater to the diverse eating habits of the city throughout the day. They served authentic food from high quality produce with warmth in a well-suited dining environment. Hospitality being a fine feature of the city’s culture, the founders were specific about making all their customers feel at home. Their principle focus was on affordable pricing and customer building. As the city rapidly developed, Annapoorna’s fame and fortune grew in tandem.
When Annapoorna was started, people in Coimbatore were hesitant to dine in restaurants. So, the idea of starting a hotel was a bold one. Though they were new to the field, the brothers were truly committed to their dream of revamping the scope of the industry. Annapoorna has remained a family concern for over five decades, with unity being their strength. When the second and third generations took the helms, they reorganised the operations and made it more effective but ensured the flavour and tradition remained intact. Even before concepts of employee welfare and corporate social responsibility had emerged, Annapoorna was paying employees fairly and supported them even after they retired and stopped working for them. Furthermore, the brothers also began giving back to society right from their brand’s inception. With time, people began seeing Annapoorna as the
‘Pride of Coimbatore’.
