
Rashmi Daga founded FreshMenu in 2014 to bring chef-crafted, diverse meals directly to doorsteps, pioneering cloud kitchens in India before the concept boomed. After navigating near-collapse and fierce competition, the Bengaluru-based startup has rebounded to an annualized revenue run rate of INR 150 crore, expanding operations in a market where consumers crave quality and variety amid the dominance of aggregators like Swiggy and Zomato.
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A Pioneer’s Beginnings: Rashmi Daga’s Vision for Fresh Eats
Rashmi Daga, a former tech professional with a background in software engineering, spotted a gap in Bengaluru’s food scene during her daily commutes. Frustrated by limited options for quick, quality meals, she launched FreshMenu as a mobile-first platform offering on-demand, plated gourmet dishes from in-house kitchens.
“We wanted to create products people could trust without compromise,” Daga reflected in a 2022 YourStory interview, emphasizing her focus on fresh ingredients and diverse cuisines ranging from exotic bowls to regional specialties. Starting with a small team, FreshMenu quickly gained traction by partnering with delivery apps and building its own logistics, serving over 8,000 orders daily across Bengaluru, Delhi, Gurugram, and Mumbai at its peak expansion.
Building the Brand: From Cloud Kitchens to Multi-City Reach
FreshMenu differentiated itself with a full-stack model: centralized kitchens preparing meals like Salsito’s Mexican bowls, Donburi’s Japanese rice dishes, and Taaka Chinese favorites, all delivered hot and fresh. The menu evolved to include healthy options under Bowl Soul and Green Cravings, catering to urban professionals seeking balanced, filling meals with an average order value of INR 350.
Early growth was rapid, but challenges mounted. By 2018-2019, aggressive discounting by rivals eroded margins, leading to salary cuts and near-shutdown. “Backed to the corner, I had two choices: take whatever was offered or fight back,” Daga shared in the same YourStory piece, opting for restructuring over acquisition talks with players like Ola.
The pivot paid off during the pandemic, as cloud kitchens surged. FreshMenu optimized menus, reduced supply chain SKUs, and focused on high-performing sub-brands, which now contribute about 10% of revenue.
Funding Journey and Financial Resilience
FreshMenu raised $45.2 million across eight rounds from investors including Lightspeed Venture Partners, Zodius Capital, and Florintree Advisors. Key milestones include a $5 million Series A in 2015, $17 million in 2016, and a $18.9 million Series C in 2022 led by Florintree, valuing the company at $27.5 million.
These funds fueled kitchen expansions and brand launches, helping FreshMenu weather the storm. By FY24, operations stabilized, setting the stage for 2025’s rebound.
FreshMenu’s Funding Timeline

Source: Tracxn and Crunchbase data cited in Inc42 and YourStory.
Recent Milestones and Operational Scale
In 2025, FreshMenu hit an annualized revenue run rate of INR 150 crore, up significantly from earlier struggles, with projections for INR 200 crore in FY26. The company now operates over 30 cloud kitchens, employing around 325 people as of July 2025, per Tracxn.
A January 2025 viral incident—a worm found in a Bengaluru order—drew scrutiny, but FreshMenu swiftly apologized, calling it a “manual error” and reinforcing hygiene protocols, as reported by The Indian Express. Such transparency has helped rebuild trust.
Daga’s leadership earned her spots on lists like ET Women Ahead, where she highlighted balancing entrepreneurship with family: “Work and life go hand in hand… if you are satisfied without feeling guilty, you are doing fine.”
Why FreshMenu Endures
FreshMenu’s story resonates in India’s $20 billion food delivery market, growing at 15-20% annually, by prioritizing quality over volume in a space crowded by multi-brand giants like Rebel Foods. It supports local sourcing, reduces waste through efficient kitchens, and creates jobs, aligning with sustainable food trends.
For urban diners, it offers culinary diversity—exotic yet accessible—fostering loyalty through consistent freshness. Daga’s resilience inspires women in foodtech, proving pivots can lead to comebacks.
Looking ahead, FreshMenu aims for 100+ kitchens and deeper penetration in Tier-II cities, with Daga eyeing profitability. As she told Inc42 in May 2025, “Our journey has only just begun.” In a fast-paced industry, FreshMenu shows that fresh ideas, executed with grit, keep the flavors alive.

Last Updated on Thursday, October 16, 2025 7:17 pm by Entrepreneur Edge Team https://entrepreneuredge.in/
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