By Startup Story Team
A Humble Start in JP Nagar:
In October 2023, QOQO BAE opened its very first kiosk in JP Nagar, Bengaluru. No investors, no flashy promotions – just two passionate founders, a freezer full of handcrafted desserts, and a dream to create something truly personal. It wasn’t about trends or scaling fast. It was about serving joy, one sundae at a time.
From a Kiosk to a Community Space:
In July 2024, QOQO BAE moved into a full-format store in Jayanagar 3rd Block. And it’s become more than just a dessert shop. It’s a warm, welcoming space where people come to celebrate birthdays, catch up with friends, or enjoy a quiet coffee with a warm brownie. The vibe? Relaxed, homely, and full of flavour.
Fast forward just 11 months, and QOQO BAE has already served approximately 25,000 happy customers – all through word-of-mouth, not paid campaigns. That number isn’t just a milestone – it’s a reminder that real stories, real food, and real care still matter.
It feels less like a café and more like a space you belong to. The kind of place you find yourself returning to – not just for the food, but for the comfort it offers.
The Founders’ Journey:
Before QOQO BAE, founders Arun and Shruthi spent over a decade running a popular ice cream sundae franchise. While it gave them experience, it also made them crave more creative freedom. Arun brought 30+ years of business wisdom, while Shruthi had over 20 years in the food industry, including her own home-baking brand, Purple Pitchfork.
Together, they decided to start fresh – to build something that reflected their own values, skills, and love for food. QOQO BAE became that canvas.
Everything Made In-House, With Love:
What sets QOQO BAE apart? The fact that every single thing – from sauces to cookies to brownies – is made in-house. No mass-manufactured bases, no shortcuts. Just honest, slow baking, done right.
The goal was never just to serve a dessert. It was to create an experience. Something that makes you pause after the first bite, smile, and maybe even feel a bit nostalgic.
Coffee Done Right, A few months after opening the full-format store, the team introduced a small but soulful specialty coffee bar. Built around single-origin beans from a South Indian estate, the coffee menu is intentionally simple – created to complement the desserts, not compete with them.
And just like the dessert crowd, the coffee regulars have formed their own little tribe – those who know their orders by heart, who try new pairings, and who often end up having long chats over coffee and cake.
A Place That Feels Like Home:
What makes QOQO BAE truly special isn’t just the product – it’s the feeling. Staff are trained to connect, not just serve. Music, décor, even plating – every detail is designed to make you feel relaxed and welcome.
This isn’t a place you rush through. It’s a place where you slow down, take that extra minute, and just be.
Growing, But Not Rushing:
Despite all the buzz, the founders haven’t rushed into opening more outlets. For them, growth has to feel right. They’re choosing to build slowly, but deeply – focusing on community, product quality, and brand soul rather than chasing numbers.
Yes, they’re exploring new collaborations and products – maybe even new cities – but only if the same heart can travel with it.
What’s Next?
The team behind QOQO BAE is dreaming big – more dessert innovations, more community moments, more reasons for people to come together over something sweet.
But through it all, one thing will never change: QOQO BAE will always be built on realness – in flavour, in feeling, and in how they treat people.
So, if you’ve ever stopped by for a brownie or a sundae, know that you’ve already become part of the QOQO BAE story. You’re one of the 25,000 people who made this dream real.
And as they say – this is just the beginning.
