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In the ever-evolving landscape of Indian entrepreneurship, franchising has emerged as a powerful launchpad. For Shikhar Kohli, Director of Yulicious Hospitality, this platform not only shaped his entry into business but helped him build a multi-category portfolio across food and lifestyle sectors—starting with La Pino’z Pizza, expanding into jewellery retail with Caratlane, and culminating in the launch of his own F&B brand.
Starting Strong with La Pino’z
Shikhar Kohli’s entrepreneurial story began with a leap of faith. “We opened our first La Pino’z outlet and, within just three months, were offered the opportunity to become the Master Franchisee for Delhi,” he recalls. “We grabbed it with both hands.”
What followed was a multifaceted business journey with multiple income channels—from sub-franchising and royalty revenue to distribution networks. “These three verticals gave us a solid foundation, and we knew we could go deep into franchising and truly build a long-term career,” Kohli adds.
When they joined the brand, La Pino’z had just four stores in Delhi. Today, the city boasts nearly 40 La Pino’z outlets, including 13 directly owned by Kohli and his partners. “The rest are franchise-run, but each is part of a larger vision—to scale with quality and consistency.”
Diversifying into Jewellery Retail
Even with a flourishing QSR business, Shikhar and his team recognized the risk of putting all their eggs in one basket. With a background in fashion retail and a keen eye for enduring value, they ventured into the jewellery segment.
“We were drawn to the timeless nature of jewellery,” says Kohli. “It’s not about fast growth, but sustained value. We admired what Tata has built with CaratLane and were keen to align with a brand that would last across generations.”
Starting with one CaratLane store, strong performance helped them secure a second outlet. Today, Yulicious Hospitality operates two CaratLane stores—one in Gurgaon and another in Faridabad.
Creating a Brand of Their Own: Sambar Ritual
As the jewellery vertical matured and stabilized, Shikhar’s focus turned to brand creation. “We wanted to get back into food, but this time with our own concept,” he says. That led to the birth of Sambar Ritual, a modern South Indian dining experience based in Gurgaon.
“It’s not luxury fine-dine, but a bridge between comfort and elegance,” Kohli explains. “We saw an untapped opportunity in the South Indian category and designed a brand that could be scaled while still offering an authentic, elevated experience.”
A Franchise-Led Foundation to Brand Building
Reflecting on the journey, Kohli emphasizes how franchising was not just an entry point—but a springboard. “Franchising gave us the systems, support, and scale needed to learn the ropes of business. It helped us test multiple models, manage risk, and eventually evolve into brand creators ourselves.”
His story is also a testament to the power of reinvention. “Every 2–3 years, we’ve added something new—whether it was QSR, jewellery, or full-service dining. And it all started with a single franchise.”
Entrepreneurship with Structure and Scale
Shikhar Kohli’s entrepreneurial path reflects the potential that franchising unlocks for growth-oriented professionals. Through Yulicious Hospitality, he has transformed franchise opportunities into a business ecosystem that spans multiple sectors—each rooted in customer experience, operational excellence, and long-term vision.
