For Dr. Nandana, food has always been more than a profession, it has been a constant presence shaped by culture, memory, and identity. Growing up in Penang, a place synonymous with rich food heritage, she was surrounded by flavors that told stories and street food that connected people across generations. Long before Nanas Group came into existence, her relationship with food was already deeply personal. For Dr.Nandana and Mr. Avinnesh, this relationship with food eventually evolved into a collective journey, one shaped by partnership, trust, and a willingness to build something together from the ground up.
Yet, their path into the food industry was far from predictable. With a background in teaching and a DBA qualification, Dr. Nandana did not fit the conventional image often associated with street food entrepreneurship. Together with her husband, Avinnesh, the couple entered the industry determined to challenge perceptions, not just about street food, but about who gets to build and lead such businesses. What they did have as a young couple, was conviction. An unshakable belief that food, when served with intention, could carry dignity, professionalism and purpose.
Early Beginnings and Breaking Perceptions
Before the growth of Nanas Group and the launch of Mr Tuk Tuk, Dr Nandana’s journey was shaped by her upbringing, education, and inner drive to challenge stereotypes surrounding street food.
Q: Before Mr Tuk Tuk and the growth of Nanas Group, what did your early journey look like, and what first drew you to building a food business?
A: I grew up in Penang surrounded by rich food culture. Food has always been part of who I am. I love exploring flavours and doing something different. Starting as a teacher and a DBA graduate, people though street food was only for the uneducated. That challenge motivated me to prove them wrong. Food for me is not just business. It is culture, memory, and connection. I always feel that serving food with respect and cleanliness is good karma.
Her response reflects a philosophy that continues to define their work, one where food is treated with respect, not just as a product, but as an experience rooted in values and intention.
Lessons Shaped by Struggle
Behind the growth of Nanas Group lies a journey defined by perseverance. For Mr. & Mrs. Avinnesh Nandana, entrepreneurship was a shared test of resilience, marked by long days, uncertainty, and decision that required constant alignment as partners in both life and business. These experiences played a crucial role in shaping how they approach leadership today.
Q: Looking back, what were some defining moments or challenges in your journey that shaped the way you approach entrepreneurship today?
A: The journey was never easy. Long hours, financial pressures and self doubt taught me resilience and patience. Today, I lead with values, clarity and purpose rather than chasing quick success.
Rather than pursuing rapid expansion, the couple’s focus shifted towards building something sustainable, anchored in clarity, purpose, and long-term impact.
The Birth of a New Chapter: Mr Tuk Tuk
With years of experience behind, Mr. & Mrs. Avinnesh Nandana felt ready to explore a new direction. Mr Tuk Tuk emerged as the next chapter for Nanas Group, shaped by travel, street food culture, and a desire to present something authentic yet contemporary.
Q: Mr Tuk Tuk marks a new phase for Nanas Group. What inspired the both of you to introduce a new concept at this stage, and how did the idea begin to take shape?
A: Mr Tuk Tuk is our next chapter. It came from a love for street flavours, travel, and wanting to create something exciting yet authentic. It shows that street food can be professional, innovative, and full of soul.
The concept reflects an evolution rather than a departure, one that builds upon existing values while embracing new cultural inspirations.
A Proud Milestone in Johor Bahru
The opening of Mr Tuk Tuk’s first outlet in Johor Bahru represents a significant moment for Nanas Group. More than just a new location, it stands as a shared milestone for Mr. & Mrs. Avinnesh Nandana, marking years of joint effort, sacrifice, and belief in their vision.
Q: This is Mr Tuk Tuk’s first outlet in Johor Bahru. What does launching the brand’s first JB outlet mean to the both of you, personally and professionally?
A: Opening our first outlet in Johor Bahru is a proud milestone. It reflects years of sacrifices, lessons, and prayers, and marks our confidence to grow Nanas into new markets.
For the couple, the JB outlet stands a testament to persistence, an outcome shaped by patience, belief, and years of groundwork.
Carrying Forward the Lessons of Nana’s Pani Puri
The success of Nana’s Pani Puri laid the foundation for everything that followed. Those early lessons continued to guide the development of Mr Tuk Tuk, influencing decision at every level.
Q: Having already built Nana’s Pani Puri into a familiar name, how did that experience influence the way you developed Mr Tuk Tuk as a brand and concept?
A: Nana’s Pani Puri taught us about trust, consistency, and community. Building it together laid the foundation for how we approach every new brand as partners. Those lessons guided every decision for Mr Tuk Tuk from operations to branding.
These principles remain central to the way Nanas Group continues to grow, quietly, steadily, and with intention.
Beyond Business: Family, Balance, and Purpose
While entrepreneurship plays a major role in her life, Dr. Nandana is equally shaped by her role as a mother. Balancing family life with the demands of building a business has deeply influenced how she defines success.
Q: As the both of you begin this new journey with Mr Tuk Tuk, what are your hopes for the brand and what direction do you see it taking in the future?
A: I hope Mr Tuk Tuk grows sustainably, creates opportunities and becomes a trusted name for street food experiences. For me, success is building brands with soul and purpose.
She also speaks openly about the realities of family life alongside business.
My children are my biggest motivation. Raising them while running a business has taught me patience, balance and purpose. My daughter’s health journey has reminded me that business can wait, but a child’s well being cannot.
Managing time between travel, work, and home has not always been easy, but it has brought clarity.
Traveling, hustling and managing time is not always easy, but it taught me to be intentional and present where it matters most. Family is my anchor, and home is where I find strength.
A Mission Rooted in Intention
At the heart of Nanas Group and Mr Tuk Tuk lies a simple yet deeply held mission.
Our mission is simple. We want to serve food with love, respect and care, making sure every dish is clean, full of flavour and made with good intentions. We want people to feel the joy of food, and at the same time, we hope to create opportunities for our team and community. For me, every meal is a chance to do good karma while sharing something meaningful.
Their vision for the future remains grounded and purposeful.
My vision is for Nanas Group and Mr Tuk Tuk to be a brand people trust and love. I want it to stand for quality, creativity and soul in every dish. In the future, I hope to grow sustainably, bring the excitement of street food to more people, and show that food can be professional, inspiring and full of heart.
As Mr Tuk Tuk opens it’s first outlet in Johor Bahru, it marks more than a new brand launch. It represents the shared journey of Mr. & Mrs. Avinnesh Nandana, built on partnership, resilience and a belief that food when served with intention, has the power to connect, inspire, and endure.
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