“Our tech gives vendors real-time insights to cut waste and prep smarter”

In a rapidly evolving food-tech landscape, HungerBox has emerged as a pioneer in transforming the institutional food services market in India. Co-founded by Sandipan Mitra in 2016, the company digitised the once archaic cafeteria experience using IoT, AI, and data-driven innovation. Under Sandipan’s leadership, HungerBox has grown from a disruptive idea into a robust B2B2C platform serving millions of transactions daily across corporate campuses. In this conversation, Sandipan shares the journey of building HungerBox—from identifying the market gap to overcoming operational challenges—and offers insights into how technology, sustainability, and personalization are shaping the future of workplace food services.

IBT: What was the core problem or gap in the institutional food services market that led to the inception of HungerBox, and how did you validate the business model in its early stages?

Sandipan Mitra: When we started HungerBox in 2016, the institutional food services market, especially corporate cafeterias, was ripe for disruption. Despite being a critical service for employees who often consumed at least two meals a day at work, the operations were largely inefficient and, frankly, quite archaic. Employees faced long queues, while corporations fell prey to poor cafeteria management that lacked transparency, leading to pilferage and food waste. The B2B institutional sector desperately needed a digital platform to connect vendors, corporates, and employees. We saw this as an untapped opportunity for a tech-led solution.

To validate our model, we launched India’s first 100% digitised cafeteria. We focused on strong unit economics from day one. We convinced corporate CXOs by demonstrating clear ROI: cost savings, improved employee satisfaction, and valuable data insights. Early adoption, high transaction volumes, and securing long-term contracts quickly validated our approach, further affirmed by strategic investments from partners like Paytm and Sabre Capital.

IBT: HungerBox integrates IoT, AI, and data analytics into cafeteria operations. Could you walk us through a key innovation or feature that fundamentally transformed how workplace cafeterias function today?

Sandipan Mitra: Absolutely! One of the biggest shifts we’ve introduced is what I like to call a move from guesswork to data work. Traditionally, food vendors in cafeterias had to rely on gut feel – how much rice to cook, what might sell more that day. That approach naturally led to wastage and inefficiency.

With HungerBox, we brought in AI-powered demand forecasting. Our system studies historical order patterns, time of day, day of the week, and even seasonal trends, and helps vendors prepare just the right quantity of food. It’s not just about cost-saving; it’s about sustainability and predictability.

Then there’s our pre-ordering feature, a game-changer. Employees can place their orders in advance, skip the queue, and vendors get real-time visibility into what’s in demand, allowing them to adjust menus and prep accordingly. On top of that, our platform offers personalized recommendations to users based on their preferences and habits, making the whole experience feel more intuitive.

So if you think about it, we’ve fundamentally changed how cafeterias operate, from being reactive setups to becoming proactive, data-driven environments that work better for both vendors and users.

IBT: How did you approach the design and development of the HungerBox platform to ensure it was scalable, customizable for diverse client needs, and seamlessly integrated with food vendors?

 Sandipan Mitra: Right from day one, we knew that if HungerBox had to work across India’s incredibly diverse corporate environments, the platform had to be built to scale, be flexible, and work smoothly with vendors.

For scalability, we leaned into a robust cloud infrastructure. Today, our platform supports millions of daily transactions across hundreds of cafeterias without breaking a sweat. We designed it to be modular and asset-light, so we can expand to new geographies or roll out new features without rewriting everything.

When it comes to customisation, we understand that no two clients are the same. So, we made sure the platform could be deeply configurable. Whether it’s creating a company-branded app, setting subsidy rules, or tweaking cafeteria operating hours, everything can be tailored to that client’s needs.

And on the vendor side, we’ve always treated them as partners, not just suppliers. We built a dedicated operations interface for them that gives real-time visibility into orders, inventory, and sales. That’s a huge help in managing prep quantities, reducing waste, and improving turnaround times. We also support digital payments and automated reporting, which takes away a lot of manual work.

So in a way, our role is to handle the tech and operational complexity, so that both clients and food partners can focus on what they do best.

Hungerbox.ai kitchen box

IBT: Many food-tech startups focus on delivery. You chose to digitise the entire cafeteria ecosystem instead. What drove this decision to target the B2B2C space over the more visible B2C market?

Sandipan Mitra: This was a deliberate strategic choice, based on my understanding of the food tech market from previous ventures. While B2C is visible, it’s highly competitive and margin-sensitive. The institutional food services market, however, had massive, underserved existing demand.

Our B2B2C decision offered several advantages like long-term contracts, higher AOV (average order value), and predictability, comprehensive value beyond just delivery, and deeper integrations with corporate campuses, making our platform indispensable.

We chose to address a fundamental need in a high-value segment, building a ‘sticky’ business based on relationships and operational excellence.

IBT: Can you share an instance where technology or user insights helped HungerBox overcome a significant operational bottleneck or challenge in the cafeteria experience?

Sandipan Mitra: A significant bottleneck, especially in large corporate campuses, was managing peak-hour rush and queueing, even with pre-ordering. Many employees still preferred spontaneous ordering.

We overcame this with ‘Cafeteria Density Tracking’ and ‘Slot-based Ordering.’ Our app provides employees with real-time cafeteria density information using IoT sensors and order data. This allows them to choose less crowded times or counters for pickup. For high-demand areas, slot-based ordering lets employees select specific 5-10 minute pickup windows. These features, driven by user insights, transformed peak-hour experiences, reducing wait times and improving satisfaction.

IBT: Every startup faces its share of roadblocks. What were some of the key challenges you encountered in building HungerBox—from customer acquisition to vendor onboarding—and how did you overcome them?

Sandipan Mitra: Two key challenges stood out: getting large corporations to adopt the platform and bringing vendors on board. Initially, companies were sceptical; digitising cafeterias felt like a nice-to-have, not a must-have. We tackled that by running pilot programs, showing real ROI in cost savings, employee satisfaction, and operational visibility. Once the early adopters saw value, word spread.

On the vendor side, the challenge was standardisation. Many were hesitant to use digital tools or follow strict food safety protocols. So we worked closely with them, offering training, real-time feedback, and showing how the platform actually improved their margins. Once they saw that it wasn’t just tech for tech’s sake, but a way to grow their business, they leaned in.

IBT: From concept to execution, how has HungerBox evolved over the years? Were there any turning points that reshaped your business strategy or outlook?

Sandipan Mitra: HungerBox has significantly evolved. We started by solving basic cafeteria problems: queues, menu transparency, and inefficiencies.

A key turning point around 2018-2019, as we scaled, was realising we were a data powerhouse. Our vast transaction data provided unprecedented insights into employee preferences and trends. This shifted our strategy from mere transaction management to providing comprehensive ‘Food-as-a-Service’ solutions and data analytics. We expanded beyond core cafeteria management to include vending, CXO lunches, and corporate events.

The COVID-19 pandemic was another defining, challenging turning point. Our business dipped sharply. This forced rapid innovation, leading to our ‘Safe Café’ suite with UV sterilisers, crowd management, and contactless options. This pivot not only helped us survive but also solidified our role as a critical partner for corporate well-being, broadening our focus to hygiene and safety alongside convenience.

We started with a simple goal: to fix cafeteria pain points like queues and a lack of menu visibility. But as we scaled, especially around 2018–2019, we realised we were sitting on a goldmine of data. That shifted our focus from just managing transactions to offering a full-stack Food-as-a-Service platform with insights and analytics.

Then came COVID, a huge challenge but also a turning point. Demand dipped overnight, and we had to pivot fast. That’s when we launched a safe suite with UV sterilisers, contactless ordering, and crowd management tools. It helped us stay relevant and showed our clients that we weren’t just about convenience. We were partners in employee well-being.

IBT: Looking ahead, how is HungerBox planning to stay at the forefront of foodservice innovation? Are there any emerging technologies, market trends, or strategic shifts you’re currently exploring?

Sandipan Mitra: We’re doubling down on AI, not just for demand forecasting, but to offer hyper-personalised meal recommendations based on dietary needs and health goals.

Sustainability is another big focus: minimising food waste, improving packaging, and even helping convert used cooking oil into biodiesel through partner networks.

We’re also expanding into new sectors like education, healthcare, and manufacturing, with an eye on Southeast Asia. And deeper integration with corporate wellness, where food becomes part of a company’s health strategy, is high on our radar.

IBT: Finally, how do you see the food service industry evolving in the coming years, especially in the context of technology, sustainability, and consumer behaviour, and what should we look forward to?

Sandipan Mitra: We’re entering a phase where food service is no longer just about feeding people. It’s about creating smart, sustainable, and personalised experiences.

Technology will be at the core, with AI, automation, and real-time analytics, all driving better decisions. Sustainability will become a key differentiator, not just a checkbox. And consumers are expecting healthier, more transparent options tailored to their needs.

Even institutional cafeterias are transforming into social spaces. It’s no longer a back-office function; it’s becoming central to employee experience, wellness, and workplace culture. At HungerBox, we’re excited to be leading that shift.

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With a dynamic career of over 14 years, Sandipan has been a driving force behind innovation and execution across several organizations. He has consistently demonstrated a strong ability to build businesses from the ground up. A trailblazer in the FoodTech sector, he co-founded India’s first online food ordering platform, Hungryzone.com, in 2009. The venture was later acquired by JustEat Inc. and subsequently by FoodPanda (Rocket Internet) in December 2014.