From One Tiny Factory to 130 Around the World: How Parle-G’s ₹60,000 Beginning Became a ₹45,000 Crore Success

In India, very few brands have become as loved and iconic as Parle-G. For decades, this glucose biscuit has been a part of nearly every Indian home, dipped in morning tea, packed in tiffin boxes, and shared during travel. What started as a small dream in Mumbai almost a century ago went on to become the best-selling biscuit in the world, enjoyed by millions every single day.

The Beginning of a Sweet Dream

The story began in 1929, when Mohanlal Dayal Chauhan decided to do something completely new. At that time, candies and biscuits were mostly imported from Britain and were too expensive for the common Indian. Inspired by the Swadeshi Movement, Mohanlal wanted to make something Indian and affordable for everyone. He left his silk business, travelled all the way to Germany to learn the art of confectionery-making, and even imported biscuit-making machines for ₹60,000 — a huge amount in those days.

When he returned, he started a small factory in Vile Parle, a suburb of Mumbai, with only 12 workers, many of them from his own family. Since the factory was located in Parle, they decided to call the brand “Parle”, a simple name that would soon become famous across the country.

From Candy to Biscuits

The first product from the small factory was orange candy, which became an instant hit. But Mohanlal didn’t stop there. About ten years later, he decided to make a biscuit that would be tasty, healthy, and affordable for the Indian public. That’s how Parle Gluco was born—a simple glucose biscuit that became a household favourite.

As years went by, the biscuit grew in popularity. In 1982, the company gave it a new name, Parle-G, where the “G” first stood for “glucose”, but later fans lovingly called it “Genius”. It was a clever rebranding move that made the product feel modern without losing its roots.

The Biscuit That Won the World

Parle-G soon became a part of India’s daily life. It was cheap, filling, and delicious, everything people wanted in a snack. The biscuit’s popularity crossed borders, and today, Parle-G is produced in 130 factories across countries including the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, and the Middle East. Around 400 million Parle-G biscuits are baked every day, and it is available in more than 100 countries. In fact, over 4,500 biscuits are eaten every second somewhere in the world!

Parle-G alone earns over ₹8,000 crore each year,  almost half of the company’s total revenue. In 2011, a Nielsen report even named it the best-selling biscuit in the world, beating global giants like Oreo.

Standing Strong in Tough Times

Over the decades, Parle-G has stayed true to its simple promise, good quality at an affordable price. Even when inflation made raw materials costly, the company refused to raise prices sharply. A small ₹5 pack of Parle-G, containing about ten biscuits, continues to be one of the most affordable snacks you can buy.

During difficult times, Parle-G has also stood with the people. When the pandemic hit and the government provided food packets to the poor, Parle distributed over 30 million biscuit packets free of cost. The biscuit has also been used in relief efforts during floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters because it is light, nutritious, and lasts long.

The Family That Built an Empire

The Parle empire is still run by the Chauhan family, descendants of the founder. Today, Vijay Chauhan, Sharad Chauhan, and Raj Chauhan manage different parts of the company,  from production to marketing and expansion. The family’s combined net worth is estimated at $5.5 billion (around ₹45,579 crore), making them one of India’s richest business families.

But despite their wealth, the brand’s spirit remains humble, to make good food for everyone. Over time, Parle has also expanded its range to include favourites like KrackJack, Monaco, 20-20, Melody, Mango Bite, and Kismi, products that have shaped generations of childhood memories.