The Hindu 04.09.2013
Hygiene, quality attract middle class too
mma canteens or budget canteens were conceptualised for
the downtrodden, but the customers are also from middle class on an even
keel, say caretakers of the canteens.
It is not just
the cost factor — Idlis are sold for Rs. 1, sambar rice for Rs. 5, and
curd rice for Rs. 3. The patronage has as much to do with hygiene and
quality, according to a caretaker at the Amma canteen in Choolai in
Erode city. Not surprisingly, Amma canteens in a total of 10 centres in
the city are doing roaring business, though the question of making a
profit does not arise at all.
For, going by the
prevailing input costs and expenses incurred for overheads, the revenue
realised from customers does not cover even 20 per cent of the overall
expenditure.
Yet, the sales figures generate
interest. Since the date of launch on June 2 till date, the 10 Amma
canteens in Erode Corporation have done a business of Rs. 40.94 lakh,
according to Corporation sources. In each of the Amma canteen, 1,200
idlies get sold like hot cakes every day.
The 10
budget canteens have together sold nearly 13.18 lakh idlies so far.
Likewise, 3.74 lakh units of sambar rice and 3.02 units of curd rice
have been sold, the sources said. According to a senior official, the
exact extent of loss was difficult to determine since rice was supplied
through the civil supplies department at subsidised costs, and groceries
were also purchased from Chinthamani. But, vegetables had to be
purchased from the open market.
By and large, the
feedback from customers is that the quality and taste of food is good,
and the ambience is excellent. Their attention has now turned to
variety, or rather the lack of it. Their desire is that the proposal to
include pongal-sambar in the morning and tamarind rice or curry leaf
rice in the afternoon in the menus of the Amma canteens in Chennai must
be extended to those in the rest of the nine city corporations
simultaneously.
Since inception, 10 canteens in Erode have done a business of Rs. 40.94 lakh.
