Business

From ₹300 and a Backyard to ₹7000 Cr Food Empire: Padma Shri Rajni Bector’s Inspiring Journey of Resilience and Innovation

By News Desk

Copyright thelogicalindian

From ₹300 and a Backyard to ₹7000 Cr Food Empire: Padma Shri Rajni Bector’s Inspiring Journey of Resilience and Innovation

Rajni Bector’s entrepreneurial journey is a shining example of resilience and innovation. Starting in the late 1970s in Ludhiana, Punjab, with just ₹300, she began by selling homemade ice creams and buns from her backyard. Despite social constraints and limited support, her dedication and culinary skills quickly earned loyal customers.

The brand name “Cremica” was inspired by the Hindi phrase “Cream ka,” symbolising the creamy richness of her products. Her breakthrough came when her ice cream stall famously outsold Kwality, a leading brand at the time, proving her product’s appeal and potential.

Building a Diversified Food Conglomerate

What began as a small venture gradually expanded into a multi-faceted food business. By the 1990s, Cremica had diversified beyond ice creams to bakery products, including breads, biscuits, and sauces. The company’s real breakthrough was securing the exclusive contract to supply burger buns and pan muffins to McDonald’s in North and East India-a deal that solidified Cremica’s position in the fast-food supply chain.

Today, Cremica supplies to other global names like Burger King, Pizza Hut, Papa John’s, and also caters to Indian Railways and the Ministry of Defence’s Canteen Stores Department. The company’s products now reach over 550,000 outlets across 23 Indian states and export to 64 countries worldwide.

Overcoming Challenges and Sustaining Growth

Rajni’s journey was marked by overcoming traditional gender roles, limited resources, and the challenge of scaling up in an evolving market. Her husband’s encouragement, coupled with her determination, helped her navigate these hurdles. Cremica’s recent financials show steady revenue growth, with ₹473 crore reported in Q1 FY26, even though profits faced pressure due to rising costs.

The company is actively working on product innovation, cost management, and operational efficiency to maintain profitability. Plans are also afoot to expand further into metropolitan areas and enhance product lines, reflecting ambition to sustain leadership in India’s competitive FMCG sector.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

Rajni Bector’s story resonates deeply with The Logical Indian’s values of courage, innovation, and social progress. Her success reflects how entrepreneurship, especially by women, plays a crucial role in inclusive economic growth and community empowerment.

At a time when many barriers still exist for women entrepreneurs, Rajni’s legacy inspires a vision of equitable opportunity through perseverance and creativity. Supporting women-led enterprises must be a societal priority to foster economic resilience and harmony.