How Kolapasi Indian Canteen Cracked the Project Management Code | The Productivity Compass
Kolapasi Indian Canteen is a homegrown chain of chef-less restaurants that, while humbly rooted in tradition, continues to tantalize taste buds globally with their world-class South Indian meals since 2013. Join the co-founder, Santhosh Muruganantham, as he sits down with Shirin and dishes out bowls of project management lessons, nuggets of wisdom, and zesty life-hacks, all while holding up his glass half full.
Chapters:
0:00 – 01:51 — Introducing Santhosh Muruganantham
Who he is and why his perspective matters
01:52 – 05:08 — What Is Kolapasi Indian Canteen?
The idea, vision, and what makes Kolapasi different
05:11 – 09:23 — The Christening of Kolapasi
How the brand got its name and identity
09:24 – 12:01 — When Side Projects Become Main Projects
Turning passion projects into full-time ventures
12:02 – 14:03 — How Does Kolapasi Run?
A look into operations and decision-making
14:04 – 21:19 — Kolapasi’s Marketing Game Plan
Growth, branding, and marketing lessons from the ground up
21:20 – 23:40 — Kolapasi’s Lean and Clean Business Model
Efficiency, cost control, and sustainable scaling
23:41 – 26:05 — How Kolapasi Tackles Project Management Challenges
Real-world problems and practical solutions
26:06 – 29:37 — Project Management Lessons 101
Core takeaways for teams and founders
29:38 – 31:31 — How Kolapasi Managed to Scale
Processes, people, and timing
31:32 – 33:36 — A Typical Day Inside a Kolapasi Restaurant
What daily operations actually look like
33:37 – 35:53 — Life Outside Kolapasi: Santhosh Beyond Work
Work-life balance
35:54 – 37:13 — The Road Ahead for Kolapasi
What’s next for the brand
37:14 – 39:31 — The Famous Kolapasi Water Bottle
A small detail with a big story
39:32 – 43:14 — Santhosh’s Hot Take on Living Life
Philosophy, balance, and perspective
43:15 – 44:29 — Closing Thoughts & Final Takeaways
Learn more about Kolapasi Indian Canteen:
https://kolapasi.com/
Follow Santhosh Muruganantham on social media:
linkedin.com/in/santhoshmuruganantham
The Productivity Compass is a space for people who care about creating promising projects, ramping up productivity, and working better together. We're here to share ideas, conversations, and practical hacks that help make it all possible.
https://www.zoho.com/projects/productivity-compass/