Chai Kings Bags $3M Investment from AVT, Plans Expansion

Chai Kings Bags $3M Investment from AVT, Plans Expansion

17 March 2025

Two bearded men in white shirts present a "Chai Kings" in front of a wall with chai-themed text.

Chai Kings Co-Founders: Jahabar Sadique and Balaji Sadagopan

Chai Kings, a Chennai-based chai retail chain, raised $3 Million (Rs 24 crore) in Series A from A.V. Thomas and Co. (AVT), a packaged tea player.

The tea brand plans to use the capital infusion to accelerate expansion, improve product offerings, strengthen supply chain, enhance customer engagement, and improve operational efficiencies.

“We are thrilled to welcome A.V. Thomas and Co. as our investor and partner in this journey. Their deep-rooted expertise in the tea industry aligns perfectly with our vision of serving premium chai experiences at an affordable cost across India,” said Jahabar Sadique, Co-Founder and CEO of Chai Kings. “This funding will enable us to scale our operations, open new stores, innovate our offerings and bring our unique chai experience to an even larger audience across India.”

It projects Rs 48 crore in revenue for FY 2025 with positive EBITDA and aims to double its revenue in two years.

Chai Kings outlet MGM Hospital, Aminjikarai, Chennai outlet Founded in 2016, Chai Kings offers a diverse range of tea blends, from classics like masala and ginger chai to exotic options like saffron chai and Kashmiri Kahwa.

Its menu also includes black, herbal, green, and iced teas, along with bubble tea, hot and cold chocolates, and milkshakes.

With over 200 products across eight categories, priced between Rs 30 and Rs 400, the brand has expanded to 57 stores across Chennai, Hyderabad, and Coimbatore, solidifying its presence in South India.

“Chai Kings has built a strong brand and loyal customer base. We see tremendous potential in their growth trajectory and are excited to be a part of their journey,” said Ajit Thomas, Executive Chairman of AVT.

Founded in 1935, A.V. Thomas & Co. is a packaged tea manufacturer in South India, known for its AVT Premium and AVT Gold Cup brands, with a strong presence in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Source: YourStory

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Lucy is a young unicorn passionate about responsible business practices, from Sustainability and ESG performance management to deep-dive investigations of the broad socio-political and macro-economic implications of various government and business strategies. Lucy has a knack for research, data analytics, and understanding the implications of new and disruptive technologies. Prior to becoming a tech news reporter, Lucy spent a few years working for the United Nations, researching and evaluating the socio-economic impact of various programs and the adoption of technological innovations. Lucy studied integrated engineering, and worked on converting her fuel-powered car into an electric vehicle as her final project for graduation. Lucy can still be seen driving her zero-emissions vehicle in and around Dubai, where she grew up. Lucy speaks English and Arabic, and completed her studies in Canada, where she also minored in magic powered technological solutions. Lucy specializes in sustainable development, climate tech, ESG, social impact startups, venture capital, macroeconomics and geopolitics.

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