When Her Tiffin Business Shut Down, This Raipur Woman Built a Roaring Paratha Startup That Sells 150 Aloo Parathas a Day After the pandemic forced her tiffin service to close, Raipur's Sapna Gupta launched 'Paratha Junction' at Jaystambh Chowk, where a ₹50 aloo paratha has become the biggest draw. When the pandemic pushed many small businesses to the brink, Sapna Gupta of Raipur chose to build something new instead of giving up. At a time when people were scrambling to protect their livelihoods, she set up a paratha stall that has since become part of the city's morning identity. Her 'Paratha Junction' at Jaystambh Chowk now fills up every morning with the aroma of fresh parathas, and its ₹50-a-plate aloo paratha is the crowd favourite. Sapna has been running this startup for the past four years. Before this, she operated a tiffin centre, but the conditions during the pandemic forced her to wind it up. Even so, she refused to lose heart and decided to try something fresh in the city. A Gap That Became an Opportunity Sapna noticed that there was no proper paratha stall around Jaystambh Chowk in the early hours. That empty space became the foundation of her venture. She started Paratha Junction with very limited means. The early days were far from easy, drawing in customers and steadying the business threw up plenty of challenges, but steady hard work and consistent taste slowly won people over. Six Kinds of Parathas, Aloo on Top Today the stall serves six varieties of parathas, aloo, paneer, gobhi, methi, lachha and plain. Of these, the aloo paratha remains far and away the most in demand. According to Sapna, more than 150 aloo parathas sell every day, while paneer parathas go up to 25. A Business That Runs for Just Five Hours The most striking thing about this startup is its timing. Paratha Junction opens only from 5 am to 10 am, a window of just five hours. In that short stretch, large numbers of working professionals, students, morning walkers and breakfast lovers gather here. Thanks to the fresh, flavourful parathas, the spot has become a favourite breakfast destination for locals. What this means for you • Across India: The story is a reminder to small entrepreneurs that even limited capital and spotting the right gap can build a thriving business. • In Raipur: Morning walkers and office-goers can grab a hot ₹50 aloo paratha at Jaystambh Chowk between 5 am and 10 am. Questions & Answers 1. Where is Paratha Junction located? It is a food stall set up at Jaystambh Chowk in Raipur. 2. Who runs it? Raipur entrepreneur Sapna Gupta has been running it for the past four years. 3. What is the most popular paratha here? The ₹50-a-plate aloo paratha is the biggest favourite. 4. What are the timings of Paratha Junction? It opens only from 5 am to 10 am, a window of just five hours. 5. How many types of parathas are available? Six kinds, aloo, paneer, gobhi, methi, lachha and plain paratha. 6. How many parathas sell each day? More than 150 aloo parathas and up to 25 paneer parathas sell daily. 7. Why did Sapna Gupta start this business? Her tiffin centre closed during the pandemic, after which she launched this new venture. Inspiration & Lessons • Don't give up: When her tiffin centre shut, Sapna chose a new path instead of stopping, and that turning point defined her journey. • Find opportunity in a gap: She spotted that no paratha stall existed at the chowk in the morning and turned that emptiness into a business. • Start small: She began with very limited resources and grew the venture step by step. • Stick to quality: Consistent taste is what won people's trust and built the crowds. • Stay focused: By concentrating on a fixed five-hour window, she carved out a strong identity. https://trendkia.com/en/success-stories/tiphina-sentara-bnda-hua-to-raipur-ki-sapna-gupta-ne-parathon-se-khara-kiya-lakhon-ka-saphara-roja-bikate-hain-150-alu-parathe-11378 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.