Biography of Sandeep Jangra: Founder and CEO of Pizza Galleria- Entrepreneur
Biography of Sandeep Jangra:
Spark of an Idea
Sandeep Jangra’s life took an unexpected turn in 2014 when,
during a casual outing with friends, he had his first bite of pizza. Captivated
by the unique taste, he felt inspired to bring this delightful experience to
his hometown, Gohana, in Haryana. Little did he know, this simple meal would
lead him to become the founder of one of India’s largest vegetarian pizza
chains, Pizza Galleria.
A Rocky Start in Engineering
Sandeep's early years weren’t easy. He faced numerous
academic challenges while pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering at NC
College of Engineering, struggling with certain subjects and having to retake
exams. This extended his engineering program to six years instead of the usual
four. Despite these setbacks, he managed to secure a job at Ericsson India,
earning a modest salary of Rs 9,000 a month. However, the taste of pizza
changed his course forever.
The Dream Begins to Take Shape
Inspired by his newfound love for pizza, Sandeep began
toying with the idea of opening a pizza shop. He wasn’t sure how to make pizza
or run a restaurant, so he sought training at Pizza Wings in Rohtak. For about
a month and a half, he learned everything—from making dough and sauces to
delivering pizza and managing a store. By the end of this training, Sandeep was
ready to turn his vision into reality.
Facing Family Doubts
When Sandeep shared his business idea with his family, his
father was initially skeptical. He wanted his son to pursue a career in
engineering, not run a food business. But Sandeep was determined to prove
himself. With the support of his brother and friends, who invested Rs 6.5 lakh,
he opened his first Pizza Galleria outlet in Gohana in December 2015. Despite
the reluctance from his family, Sandeep pushed forward, eager to make his dream
a reality.
Learning and Overcoming Challenges
Opening the store in Gohana wasn’t easy. People in the town
were unfamiliar with pizza, and Sandeep had to educate them about this new
food. The first major hurdle was getting people to try pizza. He overcame this
by offering the first 300 pizzas for free. Additionally, he personally promoted
the store by riding his bike around town with a microphone, announcing the
grand opening to draw in customers. Slowly but surely, the store started
gaining a loyal customer base.
Building a Customer Base
It wasn’t just about making good pizzas—it was also about
creating a memorable experience. Sandeep ensured that the quality of the food
remained high, even though he didn’t have experienced chefs at first. He
focused on creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the pizza-making
process to maintain consistency and quality across all outlets. As more people
tasted the fresh dough pizzas, the word spread, and Pizza Galleria began to win
over hearts in Gohana.
Expansion Across Haryana
After the success in Gohana, Sandeep expanded his operations
to nearby cities in Haryana, such as Panipat and Ganaur. With each new store,
the brand grew, and the vision of making pizza a popular food in small towns
began to take shape. By 2017, Sandeep had made a name for himself, and Pizza
Galleria was steadily gaining momentum across the state.
Biography of Sandeep Jangra: Founder & CEO of Pizza Galleria- Entrepreneur/ age/net worth/investor/startup/pizza business/Pizza Galleria story/Sandeep
The Big Break: Shark Tank India
Sandeep’s big break came when Pizza Galleria appeared on
Shark Tank India in season 3. Although the sharks were impressed with his
business, they ultimately decided not to invest, citing concerns over business
metrics and the ambitious goal of opening 500 franchises by 2030. However, the
exposure on the show worked wonders for the brand. Sales skyrocketed, and the
tandoori paneer pizza, which had been featured on the show, became a customer
favorite.
Unexpected Boost in Sales
After appearing on Shark Tank India, Pizza Galleria saw an
immediate surge in sales. Sandeep noticed a significant increase in sales,
especially during late-night hours, after the episode aired at 10 pm. On
weekends, the sales jumped fourfold, with some outlets making up to Rs 2 lakh
in sales on a single day. The publicity from the show helped Pizza Galleria
gain national attention, bringing in thousands of inquiries from potential
franchisees.
From Small Town to Big Business
Starting with a small investment and a single store in
Gohana, Sandeep’s business grew rapidly. Today, Pizza Galleria operates 72
outlets across India, selling over 20,000 pizzas daily. The brand’s turnover
reached Rs 15 crore in the 2023-24 financial year. The once small-town
entrepreneur now employs over 700 people, providing jobs and opportunities in
areas where pizza was once a novelty.
A Dream Fulfilled
One of the most fulfilling moments for Sandeep came when his
father, who had once been against his entrepreneurial journey, praised him for
his success. From earning a modest salary of Rs 9,000 per month to now owning a
thriving business, Sandeep had truly turned his dreams into reality. His
father’s approval meant more to him than any financial success, marking a
significant milestone in his journey.
Creating Employment and Changing Lives
Not only did Sandeep’s success benefit him personally, but
it also positively impacted his community. Pizza Galleria created jobs in small
towns, where employment opportunities were often limited. By teaching local
youth how to run a pizza shop, Sandeep gave many people the chance to build a
career and contribute to the growing food industry in India.
The Vision for the Future
Sandeep’s vision for Pizza Galleria doesn’t stop at national
expansion. He aims to make the brand a global name, with outlets across the
world. His target for the next five years is to open 300 stores across India,
and he is determined to turn Pizza Galleria into one of the largest homegrown
food chains in the world. With hard work, determination, and a focus on
quality, Sandeep believes the future is bright for his business.
A Lesson in Perseverance
Sandeep’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance
and hard work. From a small-town boy facing academic setbacks to becoming the
founder of a successful pizza chain, Sandeep’s journey shows that no dream is
too big, even if you come from humble beginnings. His message to aspiring
entrepreneurs is simple: “Start small, work hard, and never stop chasing your
dreams.”
A timeline for Sandeep Jangra’s journey with Pizza Galleria:
2014 - Sandeep has his first taste of pizza, inspiring him
to start his own pizza business.
2009-2015 - Struggles with engineering studies, eventually
securing a job at Ericsson India.
2015 - Sandeep opens the first Pizza Galleria outlet in
Gohana, Haryana, with an investment of Rs 6.5 lakh.
2015-2017 - Overcomes challenges in educating customers
about pizza and builds a loyal customer base.
2017 - Expands to nearby cities in Haryana like Panipat and
Ganaur.
2023 - Pizza Galleria appears on Shark Tank India, gaining
national exposure despite no investment offers.
Post-2023 - Experiences a surge in sales, especially
late-night, after the Shark Tank episode airs.
2023-2024 - Pizza Galleria expands to 72 outlets across
India, selling over 20,000 pizzas daily, with a turnover of Rs 15 crore.
2024 - Sandeep’s father praises him for his success, marking
a significant personal milestone.
2025 - Aims to open 300 stores across India in the next five
years and expand globally.
