Flora isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a story of family, resilience, and passion. Situated in Melbourne CBD a prime location, this beloved Indian eatery has been serving customers since 2001, preserving its legacy through dedication to quality and authenticity. Today, Flora is led by sisters Dimple and Kanchan, who left their corporate careers in fintech and banking to keep the family business alive during a challenging period.
"We’ve always been surrounded by food," says Dimple. “Punjabis love to eat and serve—it’s in our blood. Hospitality is just who we are. Any Punjabi you'll ask, the first thing they think of in the morning when they get up is going to be what's for the breakfast. What's for lunch? What's for the dinner? So that's what's always been around us.” When the restaurant faced tough times during the pandemic, the sisters felt an emotional pull to take over. “It wasn’t just a business decision; it was about honouring what our family built. It’s a prime location, and we couldn’t imagine it being run by anyone else.”
Flora’s strength lies in its history and dedication to offering something for everyone. Their unique Thali system—a budget-friendly meal option that combines North Indian, South Indian, and street food flavours—has been a cornerstone of their success. They stand out as the only restaurant in the city offering both North Indian and South Indian cuisine. “The quality has stayed consistent for 23 years,” says Kanchan. “We’ve seen customers grow with us—students who started dining here now bring their families. That loyalty is because we’ve maintained the standard and kept it affordable.”
Yet, it’s not just the food that sets Flora apart. Their ability to adapt and innovate ensures they remain relevant in a rapidly changing hospitality landscape. From office workers seeking quick lunches during the week to families gathering on weekends, Flora caters to a diverse audience.
“Masala Dosa, Goat Curry, and Chaat are customer favourites,” Kanchan adds. “We eat here every day, so we’re pretty lucky to enjoy the best of both North and South Indian cuisine.”
Transitioning from a traditional setup to a modern POS system was a game-changer for Flora. “We were using a really old system for 23 years,” Dimple explains. “We couldn’t get the data we needed, and everything was manual. It was time-consuming and exhausting.”
That’s when they discovered Oolio, through a recommendation from a friend. “Jack from Oolio made everything so easy. He came in, explained it all, and gave us a demo, and Oolio ticked all the boxes.”
The benefits were immediate. “Now, everything is at our fingertips,” Kanchan says.
“Reporting, staffing, inventory—we can see it all without being at the restaurant. It’s saved us hours every week.”
The sisters particularly appreciate Oolio’s integration with delivery platforms like Uber Eats and DoorDash and Oolio's easy to use features like quick menu updates.
“Updating menus during busy periods or events—it’s all so seamless now we can even schedule these updates. Even the digital screens that showcase our dishes have been a hit with customers, so they know what the dishes looks like rather than just giving them menu.”
One aspect of Oolio that has left a lasting impression on Dimple and Kanchan is the support team.
“They’re amazing,” Dimple says. “Even if we don’t report an issue, they’re proactive in letting us know if there’s a downtime. Our staff can call them directly if needed—it’s hassle-free. That level of support makes all the difference.”
For the sisters, it’s about more than just software—it’s a partnership.
“In hospitality, customer service is everything. Oolio mirrors that with their support. It’s rare, and we value it so much.”
With Flora’s operations running smoothly with Oolio’s assitance, Dimple and Kanchan have ambitious plans for the future. “We want to grow—whether that’s expanding this location or opening others. Oolio’s system is giving us the insights and flexibility to plan for that.”
When asked if they’d recommend Oolio, the response was emphatic: “Absolutely. We tell people about it all the time. The system, the support—it’s fantastic. We’re excited to keep growing together.”
Flora’s story is a testament to the power of passion, resilience, and the right tools. For Dimple and Kanchan, it’s about honouring the past while building for the future—and with Oolio, they’ve found the perfect partner to help them do just that.