Zaheer Khan to 'TOSS' a yorker in hospitality biz

Cricket is a religion in India and love for food, a passion. One can only imagine what will happen if both are mixed. – Will it cook a storm?

Zaheer Khan, the 34 year old cricket-star found his love for food while traveling around the globe. So, in 2005, he decided to start a new innings in the hospitality business with "Zaheer Khan's Hospitality". His first restaurant ZK's was followed by his second venture for corporates called "Banquet Foyer". Zaheer is now ready to toss up his third restaurant - a sports lounge in Pune called the 'TOSS'.. Also read: Indias Gelato major 'melt in' to expand in metros by 2015 For a sports person to have 'Plan B' is essential considering the unpredictability of a career in sports. While sports commentator as a career might have been a natural progression, Zaheer, the left-arm fast bowler chose hospitality. While recovering from a major injury in 2004, Zaheer decided to plan for a life minus cricket and started his inning in the hospitality business.  Along with his brother Anees, who is formally trained in hotel management launched Zaheer Khan's Hospitality (ZK's). Today, Zaheer claims the venture is valued close to Rs 50 crore and operates on a return on investment (ROI) of over 25 percent. However, for Zaheer despite being passionate about food and coming from a non-business family, warning up to the idea of entrepreneurship did take time. Zaheer Khan, Founder, Zaheer Khan Hospitality while commenting on his alternate career choice, said, "I did not have a clue about business. I don't come from a family who has business. My mother was a teacher in a school and my father was passionate about photography." "Injuries forced me to think about things and I got into it. Obviously, cricket has always been a priority and it will be a priority going forward as well. But this is something where I have formed a right team and things just started to unfold and I was able to learn things quicker," he added. Currently, with two restaurants under his belt, Zaheer is ready to bowl a fresh over with his sports lounge, TOSS in Pune. Speaking about TOSS, Khan said, "I was watching 2007 T20 World Cup final match with my friends in a lounge atmosphere although it was not a sports lounge but we were watching it on a big screen and I enjoyed that experience. India wining that T20 World Cup was great and the whole atmosphere was great and that is when I started thinking that there has to be a place for all the sports lovers who love watching soccer, tennis or be it any sport, who are very passionate about sports." TOSS had a star studded launch with Zaheer's friends and fans turning up for the opening in May this year. Commenting on Zaheer's new venture, Yuvraj Singh, Indian Cricketer said, "All our business ideas come from Zaheer Khan. So, whenever there is a business plan, consult with Zak on that because he has always got the best ideas. Hopefully, if I want to get into business I will consult Zaheer Khan." "If you want good meal, come to Zaheer Khan's place. You will get proper meal and get strength like Chris Gayle and hit the ball far away. Zak's place is a place to be," said Chris Gayle, West Indies Cricketer. With an eye on netting a wider customer base, Zaheer decided to get into the corporate catering business with Banquet Foyer. Working with a team of 120, Zaheer is keen to take his business beyond his hometown of Pune by 2014.