From Cleaning Tables for Rs 20 to Rs 120 Crore Success: How McDonald's cleaner built a snack empire

From Cleaning Tables for Rs 20 to Rs 120 Crore Success

Imagine starting your career wiping tables and cleaning floors for Rs 20 an hour. Now, imagine walking away from a job paying Rs 1 crore a year to follow a gut feeling. This isn’t a movie plot. This is the real-life story of Nitin Kalra, a Delhi entrepreneur who turned a simple observation into a Rs 120 crore snack empire.

His journey began, like many students, with a humble part-time job. While in college, Nitin worked at McDonald’s. “I used to clean tables and washrooms at McDonald's during college and earned Rs 20 an hour,” he said in an interview. That experience wasn’t just about earning pocket money; it was his first classroom in the food industry.

For over ten years, he kept learning and working with well-known food companies. He watched the market closely and saw a clear gap. Shelves were packed with salty, fried snacks, but where were the tasty options for the health-conscious? Where was the choice for someone wanting a quick bite without the guilt? That question became his mission.

It was a mission big enough to make him take a leap that would stun anyone. He left a secure, high-paying job with an annual package of Rs 1 crore. The safety net was gone. The reason was clear: to create a brand that made healthy eating convenient and delicious.

In 2021, he took his first step with a clever, nostalgic idea: ready-to-eat golgappas. It was a hit! The product spoke to the Indian love for street food but with the convenience that modern life needed. This initial success opened bigger doors, including a coveted spot on the first season of Shark Tank India. There, he won not just funding, but also validation and mentorship.

That boost helped his brand, Let’s Try, blossom. From one innovative product, it expanded into a full range of healthy snacks—namkeens, makhanas, biscuits, cookies. Today, they offer over 50 varieties. The core idea remains simple: “We try to add a healthy element to every product so that it does not harm the consumer.” The focus is on a homemade touch, prioritizing what goes into the packet.

The numbers tell their own story. In just four years, Nitin’s conviction has grown Let’s Try into a business with a staggering turnover of Rs 120 crore. From Rs 20 an hour to Rs 120 crore—it’s a figure that captures the scale of the dream achieved.

But for Nitin, the most inspiring part isn't just the numbers. It’s the philosophy he built them on. His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is grounded in the grit he himself displayed:

“Those who truly want to start a business should give 100%,” he said in an interview with CNBC. “You should not give up easily after starting. Patience is extremely important because success doesn't come instantly. It takes time and consistent effort to grow.”

Nitin Kalra’s story is a powerful reminder that extraordinary success often has very ordinary beginnings. It teaches us that the best ideas come from noticing what’s missing around us. It proves that having the courage to leave comfort behind for conviction can build not just a company, but a legacy.

So, the next time you reach for a snack, remember: it’s possible to build a fortune by simply wanting to offer a better choice. All it takes is the will to try.