The iconic Moti Mahal restaurant
Inventors of Tandoori Chicken , Butter chicken and Dal makhani
Moti Mahal, established by my grandfather, Kundan Lal Gujral, is the founder of a culinary revolution. As the inventor of Tandoori Cuisine, Dal Makhani, and Butter Chicken, he not only transformed Indian gastronomy but also placed India firmly on the world’s culinary map. This extraordinary legacy is not just about recipes — it’s about preserving a rich culture and cherishing a timeless heritage that continues to inspire generations.
The Legacy of Moti Mahal
Inventors of Tandoori Chicken ,Butter Chicken and Dal Makhani
Moti Mahal was established in 1920 in Peshawar, undivided India, by Kundan Lal Gujral, the legendary figure who revolutionized Indian cuisine with his invention of Butter Chicken, Tandoori Chicken, and Dal Makhani. His vision was simple yet profound — to create food that brought people joy. He believed that great food could unite people in celebration and happiness. Moti Mahal became a place where diners gathered not just to eat, but to experience the magic of flavors that have since become global icons.
Today, we proudly carry forward this vision, preserving a culinary legacy that continues to inspire and delight food lovers across the world.
Carrying Forward a Legendary Culinary Legacy
Kundan Lal Gujral along with his son Nand Lal Gujral receiving award for invention of Tandoori chicken , Butter Chicken and Dal Makhani in Delhi
After experiencing tremendous success in Peshawar, my grandfather, Kundan Lal Gujral, migrated to Delhi following the Partition. He brought with him not just culinary skills but a revolutionary vision for Indian cuisine. Re-establishing Moti Mahal in Delhi, he recreated the magic he had once pioneered in Peshawar. Delhi had never before experienced the rich, authentic flavors of North-West Frontier cuisine, and his now-legendary inventions — Butter Chicken, Tandoori Chicken, and Dal Makhani — quickly captivated the city.
Soon, the aroma and taste of this new cuisine spread beyond Delhi’s food lovers to its political elite. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru became a regular patron of Moti Mahal, introducing visiting foreign dignitaries to its unique flavors. What began as a humble eatery soon became a culinary institution and cultural landmark, celebrated not just in Delhi but throughout India.
My father, Nand Lal Gujral and my mother Rupa Gujral , carried this legacy forward, expanding Moti Mahal into South Delhi and further strengthening its reputation as the home of India’s most iconic dishes.
(Rupa Gujral)
Growing up amidst this legacy, I witnessed the glory and pride associated with Moti Mahal from a young age. Inspired and determined, I joined the family business as an intern at just 17, training under the watchful eyes of both my grandfather and my father, all while pursuing my B.Com (Hons.) at Delhi University, followed by Hotel Management from Pusa Institute.
Being a trained chef myself, I focused on building a strong team and seized the opportunities that came with India’s retail and hospitality boom in the early 2000s. This allowed me to create a structured and successful franchise model for Moti Mahal. My dream was clear: to establish 100 outlets before Moti Mahal’s 100th anniversary in 2020 — and by God’s grace, that dream was realized.
A Legacy Passed Through Generations
Monish Gujral
Today, the fourth generation of the Gujral family proudly carries the torch forward, committed to preserving the legacy of Moti Mahal while embracing the evolving demands of a new era. Fresh ideas, youthful energy, and modern perspectives are essential for any heritage brand to stay relevant and thrive.
My son, Gunav Gujral, represents this new wave. A qualified lawyer, he brings both strategic and legal expertise to the table, overseeing crucial aspects such as our social media strategy and legal affairs. His involvement ensures that while we honor the traditions of the past, we remain agile and adaptive to the fast-changing dynamics of today’s world — a balance that is key to sustaining and growing a legacy brand like ours.
Our Culinary Philosophy & Commitment to Excellence
At Moti Mahal, the original inventions of Butter Chicken, Tandoori Chicken, Dal Makhani, and numerous other iconic dishes remain the cornerstone of our culinary identity. These timeless recipes, crafted by my grandfather Kundan Lal Gujral, are carefully preserved and serve as the unique selling proposition (USP) of our menu to this day.
While we are deeply rooted in tradition, we also understand the importance of evolving with the times. Our innovative chefs continuously explore and adapt to new culinary trends, ensuring that Moti Mahal remains relevant, inspiring, and ahead of the curve in the ever-changing food and beverage landscape.
As pioneers of Tandoori cuisine and recognized leaders in the food and beverage industry, we work tirelessly to uphold the reputation and heritage of the Moti Mahal brand. Our commitment is not just to great food but to preserving a legacy — a responsibility we carry with pride and dedication.
At the heart of our success is my grandfather’s timeless “6 P Formula” — People, Place, Price, Product, Promotion, and PR. This philosophy remains our guiding principle at Moti Mahal and continues to drive our growth, innovation, and excellence in everything we do
Innovation, Adaptability & Consistency — The Pillars of Moti Mahal’s Success
For any business to succeed and grow, innovation and adaptability are essential, especially in today’s fast-changing world where customer preferences and dining habits continue to evolve. At Moti Mahal, we have consistently embraced these principles to remain relevant and ahead of the curve.
While staying true to our rich culinary heritage, we have adapted to modern tastes, introduced new ingredients, and developed creative menu offerings that reflect the changing palate of today’s diners. Innovations like Tandoori Broccoli, Makhani Prawns, the use of alternative grains, and our participation in India’s Millet Movement, as advocated by Hon’ble Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, are testament to our commitment to staying contemporary and responsible.
At the core of our operations, we uphold the highest standards of consistency and quality, recognizing these as the most crucial factors for sustaining a successful restaurant chain. Our teams are trained and dedicated to maintaining these benchmarks at every outlet, every day.
Expanding our presence beyond restaurants, we have introduced a curated range of signature spice blends, bringing the authentic flavors of Moti Mahal into home kitchens across the world. Our product range includes:
- Butter Chicken Masala
- Dal Makhani Masala
- Tandoori Masala
- Biryani Masala
- Chaat Masala
- Chicken Curry Masala
- Sabzi Masala
In keeping with evolving consumer trends, we have also diversified into regional and international cuisines under new brand verticals, ensuring Moti Mahal remains a relevant and respected name across all segments of the food and beverage industry. Our brands now include:
- Dosa Trail (South Indian Specialties)
- China Trail (Pan-Asian)
- Biryani Trail
- Chaat Trail
- Wraps & Rolls Trail
- Butter Chicken Trail
- Delhi Bread Bar
- Jackson Diner
- The Momo Country
These brands are now part of numerous food courts, malls, and quick-service restaurant formats, expanding our footprint and bringing the Moti Mahal culinary philosophy to a wider audience.
Evolving with the Modern Consumer and Industry Trends
Today’s customers are far more evolved and discerning, thanks to increased media exposure, global travel, and heightened expectations for quality and experience. Unlike earlier times, people today are willing to pay for a complete experience — from the quality of food and its packaging to the ambiance of fine dining and the standard of service provided.
Post-COVID, consumer behavior has shifted dramatically. The growth of food delivery aggregators like Zomato, Swiggy, and Porters has made it possible for people to enjoy quality restaurant food even in remote locations. As a result, home delivery, fine dining, take-away, and catering have all become significant contributors to revenue streams.
At Moti Mahal, we have strategically adapted to this evolving landscape by embracing multiple formats:
- Fine Dining Restaurants
- Food Courts with Kiosk Models
- Cloud Kitchens for Delivery-Only Concepts
These diversified models have not only strengthened our market presence but also allowed us to tap into multiple revenue streams across the food industry. This adaptability ensures that we remain competitive, relevant, and accessible to a wide spectrum of customers, whether they seek a premium dine-in experience or the convenience of enjoying Moti Mahal flavors at home.
Strategizing for Delhi, India, and International Markets: Keeping Moti Mahal Relevant and Respected
Delhi is undeniably one of the most competitive and saturated food markets in India. It’s a city with a deep-rooted food culture, a highly informed customer base, and constant influx of new dining trends, brands, and international cuisines. To keep Moti Mahal at the top in this fiercely competitive environment, our strategy is built on the following pillars:
- Reinforcing Legacy Through Consistency and Authenticity
- Innovation While Respecting Tradition
- Adapting to New Consumption Trends (Cloud Kitchens, Delivery, Packaging)
- Differentiation Through Brand Extensions
Delhi Strategy vs. Other Indian Cities:
In Delhi, we focus on heritage, authenticity, and leadership in North Indian cuisine. In other metros and tier 2 cities, the focus is on education, brand awareness, and leveraging the Delhi-origin credibility of Moti Mahal. Here, franchise partnerships, strategic locations, and brand storytelling help establish trust quickly.
Additionally, our packaged spice blends and ready-to-eat lines help extend our brand into homes beyond the restaurant.
International Strategy:
Internationally, our strategy is threefold:
1. Heritage Positioning:
Positioning Moti Mahal as the “Origin of Butter Chicken and Tandoori Cuisine” immediately commands respect in global markets. It differentiates us from other generic Indian brands.
2. Premium Authentic Experience:
Globally, there is a demand for authentic Indian experiences rooted in history. We curate our international offerings to emphasize heritage, authenticity, and quality.
3. Franchising with Strategic Partners:
We partner with reputed local operators to take our franchise who understand premium F&B management, ensuring operational excellence and cultural alignment. Examples include our presence in EU , UAE,maldives Africa ,New Zealand , USA etc
Additionally, product extensions (spices, ready-to-eat) serve as ambassadors for our brand globally.
Summary of Our Competitive Strategy:
Market Focus Area Key Strategy
Delhi Saturated, evolved market Heritage, consistency, innovation, brand extensions
Other India Growth markets (metros, Tier 2) Awareness building, franchising, legacy trust
International Premium, authenticity-driven experiences Strategic partnerships, heritage marketing, global positioning
1. Strategic Future Outlook & Growth Roadmap
1. Strengthening Our Core: Reinforcing Moti Mahal’s Leadership in North Indian Cuisine
- Continue refining and preserving our flagship Moti Mahal fine dining experience as the benchmark for authentic North Indian and Tandoori cuisine.
- Maintain leadership in premium dining, with further expansion in metropolitan and global cities where Indian cuisine is appreciated.
- Strengthen our signature product offerings — Butter Chicken, Dal Makhani, and Tandoori — with a focus on consistency, quality, and storytelling.
2. Expansion of New Vertical Brands: Multi-Cuisine, Multi-Format Growth
To capture evolving dining trends, we will actively expand our portfolio of specialized brands and verticals to target specific cuisines, customer preferences, and formats:
Brand Vertical Cuisine / Concept Format
Butter Chicken Trail Signature Dishes QSR Kiosks, Food Courts
Biryani Trail Regional Biryani Focus QSR, Cloud Kitchens
Chaat Trail Indian Street Food Food Courts, Pop-ups
Dosa Trail South Indian Food Courts, Kiosks
China Trail Pan-Asian Casual Dining, Delivery
Wraps & Rolls Trail On-the-go Indian & Fusion Wraps QSR, Airports
The Momo Country Momos & Asian Snacks Kiosks, Food Courts
Delhi Bread Bar Artisan Breads & Bakery Retail, Café Format
Jackson Diner (Global) Indian-American Fusion Overseas Franchise
Future Focus: Expand these brands through franchising, food courts, and cloud kitchens, leveraging our established reputation while appealing to modern dining trends.
3. FMCG & Retail Product Growth: Scaling Beyond Restaurants
Launching of Motimahal ready to eat products and spices blends
We foresee enormous potential in packaged foods, spices, and ready-to-eat meals under the Moti Mahal brand, taking our flavors from restaurant tables to home kitchens globally.
- Existing Product Lines to Scale:
- Butter Chicken Masala
- Dal Makhani Masala
- Tandoori Masala
- Biryani Masala
- Chaat Masala
- Ready-to-eat meals (gravies, dals, frozen kebabs)
Future Opportunities:
- Retail presence in modern trade, supermarkets, and online platforms (Amazon, Flipkart, BigBasket).
- Export-focused strategies to Middle East, Europe, USA, and Australia.
4. Cloud Kitchens & Digital Expansion
The future of dining includes delivery-first models and virtual kitchens. Moti Mahal will invest in:
- Cloud Kitchen Networks across Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities.
- Aggregator Partnerships (Zomato, Swiggy, Uber Eats).
- Digital-first brand strategies, including direct ordering platforms, loyalty apps, and AI-driven customer engagement.
5. International Growth Strategy
Globally, Indian cuisine continues to gain popularity. Our future focus includes:
- Master franchise partnerships in key global cities (UAE, USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Europe).
- Positioning Moti Mahal as India’s culinary ambassador — the origin of Butter Chicken and Tandoori cuisine.
- Launching flagship fine dining outlets in international culinary hubs (London, New York, Dubai, Singapore).
Key Future Trends We Will Leverage:
✅ Health & Wellness: Integration of millets, plant-based options, gluten-free menus.
✅ Sustainability: Eco-friendly packaging, waste management, ethical sourcing.
✅ Technology: Contactless dining, digital marketing, data-driven consumer insights.
✅ Experiential Dining: Curating immersive culinary experiences tied to our rich history.
Moti Mahal 2030 Vision — Where We Aim to Be:
✔ 200+ Outlets Globally
✔ Strong FMCG Retail Presence in India and Abroad ✔ Market Leader in North Indian Cuisine
✔ Innovative Vertical Brands in Every Key Food Category
✔ Recognized Global Culinary Heritage Brand — “The Origin of Butter Chicken & Tandoori Cuisine”
Summary:
Moti Mahal’s future is not about survival — it’s about leadership. We are poised to grow through innovation, brand diversification, digital transformation, and global expansion while preserving the authenticity and excellence that has defined us for over a century.