‘Haldiram’ is a household name for countless Indian families, and its popularity extends far beyond India. Many families start and end their day with Haldiram’s iconic and delectable snacks. Despite its widespread fame, most fans of Haldiram’s Bhujia are unaware that the family behind this beloved brand is the Aggarwals.

The story of Haldiram begins in Bikaner, Rajasthan, where a young Ganga Bishan Agarwal, later known as Haldiram, started his journey by setting up a small sweet shop. His father was already in the bhujia business, but Haldiram envisioned creating a unique version of this popular snack. He innovated by using moth flour instead of the traditional chickpea flour. This new take on bhujia became an instant sensation in Bikaner, laying the foundation for the Haldiram legacy and its rise to prominence in the Indian food industry.

The Expansion of Haldiram

The brand’s nationwide journey began in the mid-20th century when Haldiram, along with his sons, opened “Haldiram Bhujiawala” in Kolkata. While the signature thin Bhujia remained the masterpiece, Haldiram expanded its offerings to include a wide variety of snacks, sweets, namkeens, and ready-to-eat items, cementing its place as a household favorite across the country. From Ganga Bishan to his sons, and then to his grandsons, the family has expanded the business across India.
In 1980, the family had migrated to Nagpur, and in 1984, the brand made its presence in Delhi. The notable part about the Haldiram snacks is that each branch of the family contained the region’s unique taste, which helped them to dominate the entire food industry.

Net worth of Haldiram

Over the years, Haldiram has significantly increased its production, expanded its range of snacks, and broadened its network. Its exports have also soared, achieving remarkable growth. The Agarwal family’s net worth is staggering, with the Haldiram brand alone valued at Rs 7,000 crore. The brand’s expansion into various sub-brands such as Bikaji, Bikano, and Haldiram’s Prabhuji has further strengthened its financial standing.

According to ETNOW, as of this month, Haldiram’s Delhi operations generate nearly Rs 5,000 crore annually, while Nagpur contributes around Rs 4,000 crore. Bikaner, under the Bikaji brand, is valued at approximately Rs 1,600 crore.

With Bikaji going public, the Agarwals are planning to merge their businesses and possibly go for their own Initial Public Offering (IPO) in the near future.

According to ETNOW, The Agarwal family’s journey with Haldiram spans six generations, each playing a key role in growing and diversifying the brand. From Ganga Bishan to his sons, and then to his grandsons, the family worked together to expand the business across various regions of India. Each branch took the initiative to set up operations in different cities, transforming Haldiram into a multi-million-dollar enterprise.
Bikaner: In Bikaner, Haldiram’s original home, Shiv Ratan Agarwal expanded the business into Bikaji, which recently went public.
Kolkata: In the 1950s, the family established a significant base in Kolkata under the leadership of Haldiram’s sons Satyanarayan and Rameshwarlal.
Nagpur: In the 1980s, Shiv Kishan Agarwal and his sister Saraswati expanded into Maharashtra, particularly Nagpur, where they built a strong presence in the snack market.
Delhi: Moolchand’s sons, Manoharlal and Madhusudan, made their mark in New Delhi in 1984, and the Delhi unit has since become the largest revenue generator for the brand.