Atchayam Foodbox, a Chennai-based food start-up, is expanding its network in the domestic market and abroad.

The company, which sets up automated vending machines that deliver packed food from a range of restaurants, has gained a considerable customer base over the last two years with six outlets – three each in Chennai and Bengaluru. Each outlet sees an average footfall of 500 a day.

Satish Chamy Velumani, founder and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We plan to open 14 more outlets in India, majority of which will be in Bengaluru as the city has more IT parks and a high migrant population, making it easier to expand.”

Foodbox, which caters to customers wanting food on-the-go, is in talks with Travel Food Services, Mumbai to implement services in the airport and railway stations in Mumbai.

The company is looking for opportunities to expand in Sharjah, Singapore and the US. “We are negotiating with strategic partners to implement the service. The current technology is upgraded to be compliant with international standards,” Velumani said. He said the company is in discussions with venture capitalists and angel investors to raise a fund of ₹30-40 crore, for expansion plans.

Atchayam Foodbox has also tied-up with seven restaurants, and receives about ₹40-50 fee per transaction from them.

Velumani said, “We won’t be looking for too many partners as it restricts the demand for existing partners. We are looking for a maximum of 10 restaurants, and may be 20 post-expansion.”

Atchayam will introduce a portal through which the restaurants can register and it is revamping its app through which a customer can place an order and collect the food later without waiting

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