In 2016 Himanshu Chawla, Suman Patra, and Shrey Sehgal, college friends, wanted to make high-quality cakes which people could easily order. They started Bakingo, an online cake delivery service with their previous business profits. Today, Bakingo operates in over 30 cities with more than 100 cloud kitchens and has grown into a ₹200 crore business.
Spotting a Market Gap
India had big fast-food chains like Domino’s and McDonald’s but lacked a national cake brand. Local bakeries offered cakes but lacked variety, consistency, failed quality checks and online delivery. The trio saw this gap in the bakery market and started Bakingo to provide high-quality, fresh cakes delivered on time across various cities.
Learning from FlowerAura’s Success
Before Bakingo, the founders had launched FlowerAura in 2010, an online flower and gift delivery service. They used the profits from FlowerAura to start Bakingo, which covered costs for renting kitchens, buying baking equipment, and hiring staff, all from a basement. FlowerAura also gave them valuable experience in e-commerce, logistics, and online branding, which they used to grow Bakingo quickly to ₹200 crore.
Choosing the Cloud Kitchen Model
Bakingo operates a cloud kitchens-online-only kitchens model with no dine-in space, focusing solely on delivery orders. This model helped Bakingo:
Save Costs
They didn’t spend on expensive bakery shops or extra staff.
Expand Quickly
They were able to open multiple kitchens in different cities rapidly.
Ensure Freshness
They chose to bake only on demand, reducing waste.
They started with just four employees but expanded as orders increased.
Offering a Wide Variety of Cakes
Unlike local bakeries that have only a few cake flavours, Bakingo offers over 500 varieties at any time. Isn’t it great? Imagine getting your favourite cake anytime.
Their menu includes:
- Chocolate Truffle Cakes are available in multiple designs.
- Theme Cakes for birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries.
- Small desserts like Jar Cakes & Cupcakes for quick celebrations.
- Cheesecakes & Exotic Desserts like Tiramisu, Banoffee Pie, and Turkish sweets are also easily available.
They ensure consistent taste across all cities through strict quality control and research.
Building a Strong Online Brand
Bakingo focused on online marketing to build brand trust. They invested in:
Social media
They focused on Instagram and Facebook ads showcasing unique cakes.
SEO & Website Optimization
They utilized the power by ensuring Bakingo appeared at the top of Google searches.
Fast Delivery
They accepted 3-hour, same-day, and midnight delivery to attract last-minute buyers.
A significant portion of their sales comes from platforms like Zomato and Swiggy, while the rest comes from their website.
Challenges & Overcoming Them
Running an online bakery isn’t an easy job. The founders faced several challenges:
Cake Storage & Delivery
Since cakes are delicate and fragile products, they had to create strong packaging solutions to keep them fresh and damage-free.
Finding Skilled Bakers
They trained their team to ensure uniform quality across all kitchens.
Convincing Investors & Customers
Initially, many doubted an online cake business, but their focus on quality and service won people over.
Future Plans and Growth
Bakingo recently launched physical stores in Delhi to complement its online business. They also plan to expand to more cities, including Hyderabad and Pune.
Their goal? To become India’s No.1 online cake brand.
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Conclusion
Bakingo’s story shows that a great idea, when executed with smart strategies, can lead to massive success. By identifying a market need, leveraging technology, and focusing on customer satisfaction, they turned a small startup into a ₹200 crore brand from just ₹20 lakh investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bakingo?
Bakingo is an online cake delivery brand that operates on a cloud kitchen model in over 30 cities across India.
Who are the founders of Bakingo?
Bakingo was founded by Himanshu Chawla, Suman Patra, and Shrey Sehgal in 2016.
What makes Bakingo different from local bakeries?
Bakingo provides over 500 varieties of cakes, same-day delivery, and consistent quality across all locations.
How does Bakingo manage to deliver cakes so quickly?
They use cloud kitchens in multiple locations and partner with Swiggy & Zomato for quick deliveries.
What are Bakingo’s most popular cakes?
Their bestsellers include Chocolate Truffle, Black Forest, Ferrero Rocher, and Tiramisu Cakes.
