Story of Twisting Scoops: Founders Kunwarpreet Singh and Manmeet Singh Batra
Birth of Twisting Scoops
In 2016, two childhood friends, Kunwarpreet Singh Juneja and
Manmeet Singh Batra, took a leap into entrepreneurship by founding Twisting
Scoops, India’s first Turkish ice cream brand. The idea sparked when they
visited Istanbul, Turkey, during their teenage years. During their trip, they
experienced traditional Turkish ice cream, known as "dondurma," which
fascinated them both for its unique texture and the entertainment involved in
serving it. Inspired by the experience, they decided to bring this innovative
ice cream concept to India, starting their journey with nothing but ambition
and a passion for good food.
From Teenagers to Entrepreneurs
Kunwarpreet was just 18 and Manmeet 17 when they decided to
start their entrepreneurial journey. They were both studying textile design at
the time, but their passion for food, particularly ice cream, led them to pivot
their focus entirely. They were driven by the belief that they had nothing to
lose and everything to gain, a mindset that fueled their venture into the
highly competitive food industry. This decision marked the beginning of what
would become a successful business, with a vision to introduce authentic
Turkish ice cream to Indian customers.
The Foundation of Twisting Scoops
Twisting Scoops officially launched in 2016 with the mission
of offering a unique, fun, and authentic Turkish ice cream experience in India.
The founders wanted to create a product that was not only delicious but also
entertaining to eat. Unlike traditional ice cream, Turkish ice cream is known
for its elasticity and resistance to melting, which makes it a fun treat to
play with before being served. This combination of playfulness and high-quality
ice cream became the brand's unique selling point, and the duo worked hard to
bring this concept to life.
The Struggles of the Early Days
Like many startups, Twisting Scoops faced its fair share of
challenges. One of the biggest hurdles was figuring out how to source the right
ingredients to match the authentic Turkish flavor. After their initial success
in Chandigarh, they traveled to Turkey to learn from the experts, gaining
firsthand experience in the production of Turkish ice cream. Once back in
India, they trained their team to replicate the exact process, ensuring that
the ice cream served at their stores was as close to the original as possible.
Scaling the Brand Across India
After successfully launching in Chandigarh, the founders
expanded rapidly, bringing Twisting Scoops to several other cities across
India. Over time, the brand evolved into a chain with a presence in multiple
cities. The ice cream's distinct texture and fun serving style helped the brand
gain traction, and their decision to sell directly from stores rather than
relying on third-party distributors ensured quality control. Their strategy
paid off, and Twisting Scoops quickly became one of the most recognized names
in the ice cream market.
The Unique Turkish Ice Cream Experience
Twisting Scoops is not just about ice cream; it's about the
experience. The Turkish style of serving ice cream is an interactive process,
with servers often engaging in playful banter as they twist and spin the ice
cream before handing it to customers. This added element of entertainment has
helped Twisting Scoops stand out in the crowded ice cream market, attracting
customers who are looking for more than just a simple dessert. The process of
twisting the ice cream is as much a part of the appeal as the product itself.
Challenges with Franchising
Initially, Twisting Scoops expanded through franchises, but
the founders quickly realized that this model wasn't working as well as they
had hoped. They faced issues with franchisees not maintaining the quality of
the product or the customer experience. Some franchise owners even tried using
third-party ice creams instead of the authentic Turkish ice cream that Twisting
Scoops was known for. This led the founders to reassess their strategy and, by
the end of 2021, they decided to focus solely on company-owned stores to
maintain the integrity of their brand.
Focusing on Quality Over Quantity
In the face of these challenges, Kunwarpreet and Manmeet
made a bold decision to focus on quality control. They shifted from a franchise
model to a direct-to-consumer approach, opening company-owned stores instead.
This allowed them to oversee every aspect of the business, from production to
customer service, ensuring that every experience at Twisting Scoops lived up to
their high standards. They also started offering a wider range of Turkish
delicacies, including baklava, Turkish coffee, falafel, and kunafa, to expand
their menu and offer a complete Turkish food experience.
Story of Twisting Scoops: Founders Kunwarpreet Singh & Manmeet Singh Batra/age/net worth/investor/startup/Turkish ice cream/Twisting Scoops story
The Growth of the Brand
Twisting Scoops' growth continued steadily, with the brand
now operating in over 20 cities across India. The company had also expanded
into international markets, including Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh,
bringing the Turkish ice cream experience to a global audience. Their ice
cream, made from goat milk and 100% natural ingredients, has a unique texture
and flavor that sets it apart from the competition. As the business grew, so
did its monthly sales, which reached between ₹2.5 to ₹2.75 crore, with a monthly
profit of ₹45-₹50 lakh.
Dealing with Competition
While Twisting Scoops had established itself as a leader in
the Turkish ice cream market in India, the founders were mindful of the
competition. Although there were some smaller players in the market, the
founders were confident that their brand's authenticity and quality would set
them apart. Their competitors, they felt, lacked the true Turkish experience,
offering ice cream that was a poor imitation of the real thing. Twisting Scoops
continued to thrive by sticking to its roots and maintaining its high standards,
refusing to compromise on the product's authenticity.
The Shark Tank Pitch
Twisting Scoops made a memorable appearance on the popular
business reality show, Shark Tank India, in its second season. The founders
impressed the sharks with their story, their attention to detail, and their
commitment to quality. However, despite the sharks' interest, the duo
ultimately decided to walk away from the deal. They felt that they didn't need
external funding, as the business was already profitable and growing steadily.
Instead, they valued the mentorship and guidance the sharks could offer, but
they were not willing to dilute their equity.
The Sharks' Impressions
The sharks were visibly impressed with Twisting Scoops'
journey and the success the founders had achieved at such a young age. Aman
Gupta, co-founder of boAt, admitted that he had little to teach the
entrepreneurs and could only learn from them. Anupam Mittal, the founder of
Shaadi.com, was equally complimentary, acknowledging the founders’ ability to
build a successful business from scratch. Despite their admiration, none of the
sharks chose to invest, as they believed the founders were on the right track and
didn’t need external funding to continue growing.
Pioneering a New Category
Twisting Scoops was the first brand to bring Turkish ice
cream to India, and this pioneering status gave them a significant advantage in
the market. While other competitors might have tried to replicate the concept,
none could match the authenticity and quality that Twisting Scoops offered. The
founders were confident in their position as the leaders in the market, and
their commitment to preserving the traditional methods of making Turkish ice
cream ensured that they remained ahead of the curve.
The Future of Twisting Scoops
Looking to the future, Twisting Scoops aims to continue
expanding both within India and internationally. The company plans to open more
company-owned stores and increase its presence in cities across the country.
They also hope to continue growing their product range, adding new flavors and
Turkish-inspired treats to their menu. With a strong brand identity and a loyal
customer base, Twisting Scoops is poised for continued success in the
competitive food and beverage industry.
A Lesson in Entrepreneurship
Kunwarpreet and Manmeet's journey with Twisting Scoops is a
testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and a strong vision. From
their humble beginnings as school friends to successful entrepreneurs with a
thriving brand, they have proven that with the right combination of passion,
hard work, and authenticity, anything is possible. Their story serves as an
inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs everywhere, showing that success doesn't
come easily, but with dedication, it can be achieved.
A timeline of Twisting Scoops’ journey:
2016 - Kunwarpreet Singh Juneja and Manmeet Singh Batra
found Twisting Scoops, inspired by Turkish ice cream (dondurma) after visiting
Istanbul.
2016 - Launch of Twisting Scoops in Chandigarh with a focus
on authentic Turkish ice cream and an interactive serving experience.
2017-2020 - The brand expands to multiple cities across
India, gaining recognition for its unique texture and playful serving style.
2019 - The founders travel to Turkey to perfect their ice
cream production process and ensure authenticity.
2021 - Twisting Scoops transitions from franchising to
company-owned stores to maintain quality and brand integrity.
2021 - The brand expands its menu to include Turkish
delicacies like baklava, Turkish coffee, and falafel.
2021 - Twisting Scoops enters international markets,
including Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
2022 - Twisting Scoops appears on Shark Tank India Season 2;
founders walk away from the deal despite interest from investors.
2022-2024 - The brand continues to thrive, expanding to over
20 cities and reaching monthly sales of ₹2.5-2.75 crore with profits of ₹45-50
lakh.
2024 - Twisting Scoops plans further expansion in India and
internationally, continuing to innovate with new flavors and Turkish-inspired
treats.
