Nalanda/Patna: A café with an unusual name is attracting attention in Bihar’s Nalanda district, where a young entrepreneur has transformed a recent political slogan into a marketing strategy.
The newly opened Cockroach Café, located on the Hilsa bypass, has quickly become a talking point both locally and on social media. While its name has prompted surprise and amusement, its owner says the concept is intended to stand out in an increasingly crowded café market.
Inspired By A Viral Protest
The café’s owner, Kanishk Raj, said the idea for the name came from the recent ‘Cockroach Movement’ at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, where the Cockroach Janata Party organised a protest over the alleged NEET paper leak.
Soon after the demonstration concluded, Raj opened the café in Hilsa, hoping the distinctive branding would attract attention.
Coming from a business family, Raj previously operated a clothing store under the Reliance Mart name. His father, Ramavatar Prasad, is a businessman, while his mother, Sona Kumari, is a teacher.
A Café Built Around Students
Beyond the name, the café has been designed with students and young professionals in mind.
Every food and beverage item on the menu is priced at Rs 99, while the café remains open 24 hours a day, allowing customers to visit at any time.
Raj says affordability, hygiene and a relaxed atmosphere are central to the concept.
Curiosity Meets Social Media
The café’s name has fuelled online conversations, with social media users sharing photographs alongside humorous captions.
One widely circulated joke suggests that “even if someone finds an insect in the food, they can’t complain.”
Inside, however, the café presents a contrasting image. A black-themed interior, yellow pendant lighting, potted plants and decorative vines create a contemporary setting that has become popular with groups of friends and content creators filming short videos and Instagram reels.
A Marketing Strategy
Raj believes the unconventional branding gives his business a competitive advantage.
“You’ll find hundreds of cafés called ‘Royal Café’ or ‘Star Café’, but there’s only one ‘Cockroach Café’. People may come because they’re curious about the name, but they return because of the quality,” he said.
He describes the branding as an attempt to create a memorable identity without spending heavily on advertising.
Bigger Plans Ahead
Raj says he hopes to expand Cockroach Café beyond Nalanda by developing it into a franchise brand.
His long-term plan is to offer franchise opportunities to young entrepreneurs with limited financial resources, creating employment while expanding the café’s presence across Bihar and beyond.
