He Failed Class 6, Worked as a Labourer, Now Runs a ₹680 Crore Company
He Failed Class 6, Worked as a Labourer, Now Runs a ₹680 Crore Company
In the quiet corners of rural Kerala, a young boy once believed that school wasn’t for him. After failing his sixth-grade exams, he left education behind to join his father in labor-intensive farm work. It could’ve been the end of a promising story before it even began—but fate had other plans. A compassionate schoolteacher stepped in, reigniting his curiosity and pushing him to dream bigger. That single act of belief changed everything.
Today, that boy—P.C. Musthafa—is the force behind one of India’s most recognized ready-to-cook food brands—iD Fresh Food—a company that turned humble idli-dosa batter into a Rs 680 crore powerhouse.
Founded in 2005, iD Fresh Food was born from a simple but powerful observation—why should a staple like idli-dosa batter be sold in unbranded, unhygienic packaging? A cousin’s complaint about low-quality batter sparked the idea, and an initial investment of just ₹50,000 laid the foundation for what would become a revolution in Indian kitchens.
Initially, the company was run by Musthafa’s cousins, while he continued working a corporate job abroad. Despite the stable income and the ability to repay his father’s loan of Rs 2 lakh in just two months, his heart was elsewhere. Eventually, he returned to India, fully committed to building something of his own.
The early days weren’t easy. Salaries were delayed, funds were tight, and doubts loomed large. Yet, amid all the uncertainty, one promise stood firm. He gathered his 25 employees and vowed, “Stick with me, and I will turn you all into millionaires.” To prove his conviction, he gave them shares in the company.
Eight years later, that promise wasn’t just kept—it transformed lives. With investor backing secured, iD Fresh Food scaled new heights, and the team that had once worked through months of uncertainty was now part of a Rs 2000 crore success story.
The Bengaluru-based brand, now recognized across India and the UAE, is eyeing an IPO by October 2027. With a clear roadmap ahead, iD Fresh Food aims to hit Rs 1,100 crore in revenue and a 20% EBITDA margin by FY 2026–27.
For FY 2024–25, the company has set its sights on Rs 680 crore in revenue—a Rs 126 crore jump from the previous year—with a targeted 9% EBITDA margin, doubling its past performance. In FY 2025–26, the goals increase further to Rs 875 crore in revenue with a 15% EBITDA margin.
Backed by major investors including Premji Invest and NewQuest Capital Partners, iD Fresh Food has raised $119 million to date. Its largest production facility is in Bengaluru, with other key units in Mumbai, Hyderabad, and the UAE. A new Chennai factory is in the pipeline, alongside strategic partnerships in Visakhapatnam, Kochi, and Kolkata to support growing demand.
In Hyderabad alone, the company is investing Rs 25 crore from its profits into a new plant, signaling confidence in long-term regional growth. On the product front, innovation remains strong. A recently launched chutney line now brings in Rs 1.5 crore monthly. Specialty batters and parathas contribute an additional Rs 1 crore and Rs 50 lakh respectively to monthly earnings.
Behind the numbers, it’s a deeply personal journey built on grit, second chances, and unshakable gratitude.
“My teacher persuaded me to return to school. He even tutored me without charging a rupee. Thanks to him, I became the top student in math and later, the school topper,” he once shared in an interview. “When I went back to thank him, I learned he had passed away. It broke me. I wish he could’ve seen what a laborer’s son was able to achieve—all because he cared.”
In 2018, while addressing students at Harvard, P.C. Musthafa honored both his father and that teacher—two pillars who helped shape the man behind iD Fresh Food.
