Annapoorna is truly the pride of Coimbatore and I have seen Damodaraswamy grow from a turbulent state to the tower of glory. They have always sourced only the best produce for cooking and their exceptional expertise in cooking and serving meals has helped them grow in leaps and bounds.

My relationship with Annapoorna is about 40-years-old now and I have seen them manage this food empire with efficiency and efficacy. Brand ‘Annapoorna’ is valued highly throughout South India and many have left their villages just to become a part of this great firm.

Being attuned to the virtues and vices of the hotel industry, I feel Annapoorna has been much sought after by trillions of its customers not just for its taste but also for its awe-striking consistency and team dynamics. The management is perfectly skilled in systemising and delegating the work load and every generation that has made its way to the management has brought in significant changes to the industry. l

Dr. Damodaraswamy Naidu was the first person to introduce the concept of customer service to the hotel industry and Annapoorna was the first of its kind to create brand awareness in the city. The founders and their descendants are able administrators and astute leaders, thus making Annapoorna a vital part of the city’s rich culture and heritage.

If one wants to indulge in the special taste of any South Indian food, Annapoorna is their definite ‘go to place’. Management studies are often re-geared and redefined to create a perfect corporate environment for the changing times, but Annapoorna has always been functioning with all the vital attributes of a corporate since the late 1960s. They have always resorted to the corporate style of management and have handled their revenues and employees with great skill even before several books were authored on the same. They had pioneered the system of centralized kitchens and automated cooking measures during the days when the food industry itself was in a nascent stage. So I see them as great visionaries, with nobility and notability.

Way back then, Annapoorna was a trendsetter in the city. It managed to entice people to dine outside their homes. While many people go to restaurants to satiate their hunger, people go to Annapoorna not just to eat but to relish its taste. Whenever IAS officers visit the city, despite their important government and political protocols, they always make time to have a meal at Annapoorna. It’s a place for all strata of people, thanks to the nominal pricing. At times when we Rotarians meet up, we make sure we don’t miss out on the lunch from Annapoorna even if we miss the formal meetings. The founder Dr Damodaraswamy Naidu personifies hard work and devotion. He is also a benevolent philanthropist and a spiritualist. My message to the group would be to expand their horizons across the country.

The first emotion that comes to my mind while I speak about Annapoorna is their personal touch. I have always felt that Annapoorna doesn’t just fill people’s stomachs but also their hearts. I grew up in RS Puram and hence I have been associated with them as a customer since their launch in 1968. Even when dining out was yet to catch up as a trend in the city, Annapoorna was packed through the day. Their coffees and vadas were talk of the town. Dr. Damodaraswamy once said, “I never wish to expand at the cost of losing our essence”. Annapoorna’s customer service was as famous as their coffee. Often the owners themselves would be seen greeting customers and serving them. Their passion is more precious than their brand value itself.

Imigrated to Coimbatore in the year 1970. I had my first cup of Annapoorna coffee the very same year. I instantly fell in love with it. Since then I have traveled widely across the country and the world, but I have never managed to find a match for their coffee or dosas. I would not call their coffee as just a beverage, I believe it is an elixir of life. I always indulge in a cup of their special brew before starting my day. I salute the founders for their humility after success and hard work even during their old age. Their efforts have rewarded the city with a whole new identity – Annapoorna.

I have great reverence for the founders and Damodaraswamy Naidu has been a great mentor to me during the initial days of Anandhaas. Despite my family already being in the food business, when I had thought of starting a restaurant in Coimbatore, the presence of ‘Annapoorna’ was daunting. During the construction of Anandhas at Gandhipuram, I used to habitually dine at Annapoorna. At Anandhaas, we never try to imitate their quality and taste, because not just us, none can match their flavour. We fondly call Damodaraswamy Naidu “Periyavvar” as he has been a great tutor and a selfless guide to us. He has even toured us through his kitchens, patiently explaining the nuances of this business. He wanted not just Annapoorna but the entire food industry to grow. We personify him as the Godfather to the food industry at large. Yet another distinct quality in him is that he never falls for flattery and welcomes honest criticisms. His portraits are still present in my branches and many more hotels down south, as a token of our love and gratitude towards him.

Annapoorna has often been eulogized for its food and quality, but I perceive it not just as a restaurant but as a perfect corporate house. Even other business tycoons look at Annapoorna in awe for their corporate management. I find their proactiveness to be worth a mention. The city is well-known for its hospitable culture and Annapoorna has truly been an affable host to all its customers, ever since its inception. Every time I walk into an Annapoorna branch, I would be able to see the same smiling faces serving me for years. This is a telling example of the loyalty enjoyed by Annapoorna from its employees. Employees relay the warmth and concern shown to them by the directors on the customers.