Siliguri’s 'Momo on Wheels' set to roll globally

KOLKATA: Entrepreneur Debayan Biswas, with only Rs 1.5 lakh in hand, started his street food business specializing in momos in 2015. Named 'Momo on Wheels', the food chain became wildly successful and is now poised to enter the international market.
Debayan is now in talks with retail companies like Metro Cash and Carry to facilitate Momo on Wheels' international venture."If KFC can brand its fried chicken, and Lijjat Papad can spread its business in international markets, then why can’t we," Debayan quipped.
Apart from the regular steamed and fried momos, Debayan's special 'Frozen Momo' has gained appreciation and popularity in cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, Kathmandu and Thimpu. Available in a wide range of fillings like paneer, palak, cabbage, soyabean and chicken, these frozen momos come in packets which just need steaming.
Debayan, who began his career working at a local cable channel, was presented with the award for Best Businessman at the Bengal Business Summit 2015. A reseracher at the Indian Institute of Management is analyzing the impact of small businesses on society with Momo on Wheels as a case study.
State minister for North Bengal Development Rabindranath Ghosh has lot of praise for Debayan. The minister said, "If you have a fixed goal, nothing can stop you. Debayan has shown that. I wish him all the very best."
The businessman recalls the time when he approached a bank for a loan, only to be turned away by the bank manager, who told him to buy a bike instead of starting a momo business.
Sangeeta Oraon, an employee at the momo joint, gives another perspective into Debayan's business. Caught by human traffickers, Sangeeta was forced to work as a maid in Delhi. After her employees broke her hand, she went back to her home in Siliguri. It was during this dark time that Debayan offered her a job at Momo on Wheels.
Working executive of IIM Kolkata Shubhrangshu Sanyal said, "We have always supported him. Apart from his business commitments, he has given back a lot to the society too. We will help Debayan with IIM’s ‘Invent’ project.’
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