We all have excuses why we couldn’t achieve what we wanted but sometimes redefining our goals is all that is needed. This is so true about the journey of Gagan Anand, founder of Scuzo who wanted to become an actor but had to settle for Pizza Hut waiter. But, with sheer determination and resetting his goals, one step at a time, he was able to build a Rs 8 crore company. This is his story.
Early Life and Job at Pizza Hut
Gagan Anand was born and raised in a small village in Jharkhand named Atapur. Gagan recalls that there was no electricity in his village and that they had to travel around 30 km to get their inverter battery charged and watch their black and white TV for three days.
He had a dream of becoming an actor which is why at the age of 17 with only Rs. 1,200 in his pocket, Anand moved to Delhi. However, he soon reconsidered his career path seeing the harsh reality of the entertainment industry. While wandering around Connaught Place, he came across an opportunity of a job at Pizza Hut.
He started as a part-time team member with a salary of meager Rs. 1,500 per month, But with a lot of hard work he became a restaurant general manager by the age of 21.
Experience in the F&B Industry
Over the next 18 years, Anand honed his skills working with various international and Indian brands. He managed prestigious brands like Gloria Jeans Coffee and Rasna, which gave him invaluable insights into the food service sector. This included working at a US Army Base in Afghanistan for Pizza Hut and Dubai for Gloria Jeans Coffee
He was not satisfied with this rise in the corporate world, ultimately becoming the Brand Head (PAN India) at Rasna, with an impressive annual salary of Rs 26 lakh.
Birth of Scuzo Ice-O-Magic
The idea for Scuzo Ice-O-Magic was born out of Anand’s lifelong love for ice cream. He sometimes even took money from his mother;s pocket to eat not one but three ice cream in one time.
Scuzo Ice-O-Magic was launched in September 2020 with the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. It introduced the concept of ‘live’ popsicles and gelato to the Indian market.
The first wave of the pandemic provided Anand with the perfect opportunity to experiment. He worked alongside chefs and developed recipes using natural fruits. Basically, he wanted to provide a healthier alternative to traditional ice creams. Here the most important innovation was the custom-designed popsicle machine.
They spent months in trials and four prototypes later and finally, they had the perfect machine ready that froze a popsicle in 7 to 8 minutes at a temperature of minus 31 degrees. This became the true USP of their business.
Expansion and Growth
They started with an initial investment of Rs. 70 lakh from his savings. Anand opened the first Scuzo Ice-O-Magic store in Netaji Subhash Place, Pitampura, New Delhi in Nov. 2020. Soon many people started asking for franchise opportunities.
First franchise store was opened in Mar 2021. Since then, Scuzo Ice-O-Magic has expanded to over 30 stores across India. Scuzo reported a turnover of Rs. 8 crores in the financial year 2023-24.
He was once asked by an interviewer: What is your happiest moment?
He said, “My father told me that he was very proud of me because I achieved so much without taking a single rupee from him. He passed away in 2021, but he got to see all this.”
What Makes Scuzo Ice-O-Magic Different
What sets Scuzo Ice-O-Magic apart is providing a unique dessert experience. The cafe offers a wide range of treats, including gelatos, waffles, milkshakes, hot beverages, and sundaes along with their signature live popsicles.
The live popsicle concept allows customers to choose their favorite fruit from a wide selection and also watch as their popsicle is prepared within minutes. This makes the customer a part of the making process. This interactive process enhances customer experience and is a hit with customers of all ages.
Scuzo has also implemented sustainable initiatives to reduce its environmental footprint like the introduction of rice straws colored with edible flavors.
Future Plans
The company aims to open over 100 outlets across India, bringing its unique dessert experience to a wider audience. This expansion strategy aligns with Anand’s vision of making Scuzo Ice-O-Magic a household name in the Indian dessert industry.
