While new businesses are coming into the city centre, Rotorua restaurateur Ray Singh is expanding out into the suburbs.
Indian Star restaurant in Tutanekai St already has one take away outlet, soon to reopen at Rotorua Central mall, and work is underway for a second and third in the city.
"We have
building work going on at the site at the St Andrews intersection, on the corner of Otonga and Old Taupo roads, at the moment and we expect to have that open before the Rugby World Cup next month."
Singh is predicting there will be plenty of business during the tournament due to the site's proximity to the International Stadium and, once that rush is over, work will begin on an outlet at the Te Ngae shopping centre.
"We have also invested quite a lot in our Central Mall store. It has been closed for a month because of the development there and we have used that opportunity to upgrade and do a lot of maintenance."
He bought the main restaurant in 2001 with just four staff
"The turnover we were then doing in a week, we now do in one Friday or Saturday."
The business now employs 14 people - plus another four or five in the new takeaway outlets.
Singh put this success down to constantly working to improve service and quality levels and positive thinking.
"If you are negative and step back from your business, you will fall back. But if you are strong and positive and motivate your staff, you will come through the difficult times."
Singh's hands-on approach paid off quickly. Within a year of opening, Indian Star had been voted the best takeaway restaurant in the Bay of Plenty. In 2005, it won the regional award at the Montana Wine and Food Challenge.
The restaurant also won the Hospitality and Attractions category of the Westpac Rotorua Business Excellence Awards in 2007.
"I will never forget that moment in all my life."
Indian Star was a finalist again in 2008 and 2009 in the Customer Service category.
