Former India cricket captain MS Dhoni has made a major move in the Indian food-tech industry, investing approximately ₹40 crore ($5 million) in the chef-led cloud kitchen brand, House of Biryan (HOB). The investment not only secures Dhoni a significant stake in the company but also makes him the official brand ambassador, merging his financial support with his powerful public image.
Founded in 2022 by Mohammed K. Bhol and Chef Mikhail Shahani, House of Biryan specialises in personalised biryani through its unique “Meri Wali Biryani” concept. The brand currently operates 20+ kitchens in Mumbai, Delhi, and Dubai. With Dhoni’s backing, HOB plans to expand aggressively, aiming for 120+ kitchens across global markets including Australia, Japan, the UK, and North America.
Speaking about the investment, Dhoni said, “I’ve always believed in backing teams with a strong vision, disciplined execution, and a deep connection to their roots. House of Biryan has brought that vision to life.”
Mohammed K. Bhol, who also co-founded the popular QSR chain CharcoalEats, brings over 15 years of culinary expertise, including experience in Michelin-star kitchens. With a proprietary tech stack and chef-driven approach, House of Biryan is focused on delivering high-quality customisable biryani at scale.
The company is targeting a revenue run rate of ₹450–550 crore over the next three years. In 2024, it raised $2 million from Al Siraj Holdings, Angel Star Ventures, and US-based HNIs to expand operations by adding 30 new kitchens, aiming to achieve ₹100 crore in annual revenue by the end of 2025.
The cloud kitchen biryani segment has been seeing rising investor interest. Earlier this year, Biryani Blues raised $5 million in a pre-Series C round led by Carpediem Capital’s new fund Yugadi Capital, signalling growing competition in the biryani market.
Commenting on Dhoni’s entry into the brand, Bhol said, “Welcoming MS Dhoni to the HOB family isn’t just about fame – it represents clarity under pressure and consistency at scale. That’s exactly what we’re building: precision on the plate, every single time. Together, we’re not just building a brand – we’re reshaping how the world sees biryani.”
With Dhoni’s investment and global expansion plan, House of Biryan is set to take the Indian personalised biryani experience to international audiences, redefining the future of Indian cloud kitchen brands in the global food-tech space.