McDonald Man of India "Mr. Vikram Bakshi" : Burgers And Fries Have Some Story Behind It!

We all have heard stories of struggling history and great futures. But have you ever heard any story, which turns into one of the favourite hangout places?

Oh, yes ! McDonald’s, the most favourite place for kids, pocket friendly budgeted option for gala or kitty party, a romantic option for a perfect date, best option for a birthday party, and simply to chill with friends. 

Mcdonald’s history of its presence in India is also based on a story of a struggling man who set a landmark for any entrepreneur or a dreamer (who dreams to be a tycoon). 

source-bussiness standard

“Mr.Vikram Bakshi’ who believes on the principle of “Take two steps forward and one back. The one back is to settle the dues”. Vikram has a radiant memory of his childhood when her mother told him “Beta Chalo”. This was the phase when Vikram had no sense of a mature real world.

Vikram was just 14, “Beta Chalo” she held his hand and took him to meet two men, a beggar with no limb and the other man had no ability to hear or speak.This was a reality check for Vikram as he was totally fit.

Is this what Vikram has in his destiny ?

Vikram’s mother had clear intentions of  breaking the fear and introducing the real world.

She was a widow and had six kids, Vikram the elder son. Vikram's father was a businessman. He had spent the whole two year for Vikram grandfather's treatment in the hospital and then died. 

At the age of 14, a grown up had the burden of a full family but he had decided to do something big in his life. Vikram completed his schooling and finished graduation from DU.

A Career to Boom!

With strong wills, Vikram had taken charge of his family business and kept working hard to make the business at least work. A young age of 20, Vikram barely tackled his family business. All he needed was a godfather, to dig him out with shyness. Mr. Jagannathan (bank manager) came in his life as a father figure but initially he was a drunk story teller and Vikram was a good listener. 

Later after a few months, they developed a bond, and he asked Vikram to go overseas for engaging into handicrafts to have a great future. He helped him with the amount of Rs.75000 after arranging it from his own savings and he flew to Germany.

Journey to Overseas!

Vikram met an elder person, literally an angel for him who guided him about the culture of the trade market and took him to many trade affairs.

Vikram spent his nights in the youth hostel of Germany. He took help from the yellow pages and went to meet everyone.and tried his luck in the trade fair.

He tried his skills in handicrafts, carpets, andí the garment market.

Back to Motherland!

Now Vikram was capable enough to pay all the bank debts, and released his ancestral home.He also took care of his siblings and old mother. Vikram has a new goal to establish his business into real estate, he started building the house, offices and gave them on rent and on lease to multinationals.

He has some charming effect on the people and he creates a strong bond with people.

Married and Successful!

He married Madhurima in 1983.

Vikram was seeking for more success and planned to expand the business to reach the masses. A single business with franchise of many, so that he has a scope of reaching more people.`

A neighbour, Madhusudan Thakkar (somehow again an angel), informed him about expanding the Mcdonald’ franchise to India. Madhusudan was collecting money from friends and required Five Lakh. Vikram was signing the cheque but Madhusudan stopped him. He asked to give him a cheque of INR 1. Vikram did the same as a commitment. 

Six months later, Vikram asked for three businessmen to write a letter:-

• Steve Schreckengast of Pepsi
• Navin Dave of KPMG
• Pramod Bhasin of GE

Vikram needs those letters to send them to Golden Arches, as he was going to approach the franchise of Mcdonalds. He used those letters to show his work and correlation in the business field. Actually Madhusudan has dropped the plan of the same after six months and Vikram happily took it from there.

Vikram Bakshi's story is just like a filmy story. Vikram is now board of director of PVR ltd, Cinemax India Ltd, and many more.

Vikram has still the same simplicity and he still reminds the same voice of his mother “Beta Chalo” A story to inspire many youngsters, a motive for many entrepreneurs and a  person to admire for his smartness and great deeds.