Our Product Applications
1. Mouth Fresheners (7 Variants): Our mouth fresheners are crafted in seven delightful variants, designed not only to refresh the breath but also to aid digestion. Widely preferred after meals, they help eliminate mouth odor and provide a soothing, aromatic experience—making them a daily wellness companion.
2. Groundnut Chikki (4 Varieties) : Available in four authentic variants, our groundnut chikki is a timeless treat enjoyed by all age groups. Its rich, natural taste offers a healthy alternative to processed snacks, making it perfect for curbing hunger without artificial additives. Our customer research highlights a strong preference for hygienic, natural snack options—and our chikki meets this demand with purity and satisfaction.
3. Hing (Asafoetida) – Yellow & White (Powder Form) : A staple in Indian kitchens, our premium Hing acts as a vital binding spice, enhancing the flavor and aroma of every dish. Offered in both yellow and white powder forms, each variant caters to diverse regional preferences across the country, playing a key role in everyday cooking.
4. Dry Dates Powder : Rich in essential minerals and dietary fiber, our Dry Dates Powder is a natural powerhouse. Primarily consumed with milk as an energy booster, it is also popularly used in traditional dishes like Halwa and in the preparation of Dry Fruit Laddus, where it serves as a key ingredient. It combines nutrition with taste, promoting health through every spoonful.
Startup Description
Sonawane Foods Pvt. Ltd. is a fast-growing Indian FMCG company, proudly operating under the trusted brand Nandini. We manufacture and market a premium range of traditional food products including mouth fresheners (mukhwas), hing (asafoetida), dry dates powder, and peanut chikki — all crafted in-house at our 30,000 sq. ft. production facility in Nashik.
Having grown organically from ₹1.5 Cr to over ₹5.0 Cr in revenue, our products already reach 12,000+ retail outlets across Maharashtra through an efficient GT network. With 100% in-house production, zero debt, clean equity, and strong YoY profitability, we’ve laid a solid foundation for scale.
We are now raising ₹5.0 Cr for 10% equity to fuel our next phase — expanding to 36+ districts, launching new high-margin SKUs, investing in automation, and building a national brand presence via digital and modern trade channels.
Our goal: grow into a ₹50 Cr revenue company in 5 years with consistent 20% margins and a potential valuation of ₹100 Cr+.
We welcome strategic investors who believe in clean-label, scalable FMCG and want to partner with a founder-led, profitable business ready to lead India’s next wave of authentic, value-driven brands.
Product Screenshots
Business Model
Sonawane Foods’ Business Model: Hybrid FMCG Manufacturing + D2C + Distribution
We operate on a vertically integrated business model that blends:
1. In-House Manufacturing
o Low cost, high-quality control
o Proprietary product development (e.g., Dry Dates Powder, Mukhwas, Chikki)
o No formulation or patent fees – fully self-developed
2. Multi-Channel Revenue Strategy
o B2B Distribution: General trade, kirana stores, modern retail across Maharashtra
o D2C (Direct-to-Consumer): Through website, Amazon, Flipkart, and WhatsApp ordering
o Institutional Sales: Supplying to bulk buyers, sweet shops, and regional brands
3. Brand-Led Differentiation
o Niche, natural, and health-oriented SKUs
o Category leadership in Kharik Powder, Mukhwas blends, and authentic chikki
o Premium and mass variants to reach wide consumer base
4. Capex-Light Growth with Scalable Ops
o Leveraging existing factory (with only 35% utilization)
o Margin-focused SKUs with 40–55% gross margin
o Asset-first, brand-next strategy for sustainable growth
5. Data-Driven Sales Model
o Territory mapping by sales reps (13 field staff)
o Monthly product performance and sales insights via CRM
o Scalable sales ops with 1 BDM + 1 SO + local reps = low CAC
Revenue Model Highlights:
• Gross Margin: 45–55% (average)
• Net Margin (FY25 projected): 8–10%
• CAC: Low due to field rep model and repeat purchase pattern
Customers
based in
India, Middle East & North Africa
Business
Modal Type
Marketplace
Type of
Sales
B2B2C, B2C
Competitors
1. Dry Dates Powder (Kharik Powder)
Type: Health supplement / Natural sweetener / Dry fruit base
Key Competitors:
Brand Name Type Notes
Patanjali National Ayurvedic & dry fruit blends
Sri Sri Tattva National Ayurvedic powders including kharik-based mix
Urban Platter Premium Online Dry fruit powders, gourmet segment
Local APMC Sellers Unorganized Low-cost, loose or self-packed offerings
Go Desi (emerging) D2C/Natural snacks Trending for rural-sourced dry fruit snacks
2. Mukhwas (Digestive Mouth Fresheners)
Type: After-meal snack / Digestive / Traditional FMCG
Key Competitors:
Brand Name Type Notes
Manmohak Mukhwas Regional (MH/GJ) Variety, strong local presence
Shadani National Ayurvedic, fun flavors
Shreeji Mukhwas Regional (Gujarat) Legacy player in colorful mukhwas
Haldiram’s National Some SKUs include flavored fennel/mukhwas
Local Paan Shops Unorganized Dominant in price-sensitive markets
3. Hing (Asafoetida)
Type: Spice / Daily kitchen essential
Key Competitors:
Brand Name Type Notes
LG Hing Market Leader Trusted for decades, strong pan-India base
Everest National Widely distributed, spice mix brand
MDH National Hing + compound masala products
Ramdev Hing Regional (North) Popular in bulk & traditional segment
Local Loose Hing Unorganized Priced aggressively, quality varies
4. Peanut Chikki (Bars)
Type: Indian energy snack / Festival food
Key Competitors:
Brand Name Type Notes
Lonavala Chikki Brands Regional (MH) High recall, especially tourist category
Garden Chikki Regional Commonly seen in modern trade/railway stores
Haldiram’s National Limited range in sweets and dry bars
Desi Treat Online Branded chikkis & laddus
Unbranded Loose Chikki Unorganized Sells by weight in local markets
Teams
Prashant Sonawane
Co-founder & CEO
Vinayak Sonawane
Co-Founder & Director
Tell us a bit about how founding team knows
each other.
Both directors of Sonawane Foods Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Prashant Sonawane and Mr. Vinayak Sonawane, are brothers and come from modest yet respectable family backgrounds, enriched with strong academic foundations, deep-rooted values, and unwavering personal integrity. Their journey reflects a remarkable blend of discipline, ethical business conduct, and a passionate drive to build a sustainable enterprise.
Why did you decide to start this
company?
We started to bridge the gap between rural purity and urban wellness by offering clean, traditional products like dry dates powder and chikki—rooted in health, trust, and modern convenience.
Are all the founders full-time on this
project?
Yes
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