A popular Erie restaurant received a major promotional boost from the Edinboro University
Center for Branding and Strategic Communication.
Faculty and students from the center guided the Tandoori Hut and the owner Dharma Gurung through
a complete rebranding that included the development of a new logo and collateral mark
materials, as well as a revamp of social media platforms. The restaurant, which specializes
in authentic Indian cuisine, moved to 2605 Washington Avenue after departing
from its former North Park Row location.
“We just felt the time and situation were perfect to work with Dharma and Tandoori
Hut,” said Dr. Tony Peyronel, Executive Director of Business Development at
Edinboro University and Director of the Center for Branding and Communication Strategic.
“This is a successful business facing a unique challenge, and we were happy
to help with its transition by providing a complete rebrand.”
Several students in the Design Practicum class at the art teacher Cass Reese met with Gurung
during the fall semester and he eventually developed a new logo, business cards and
a redesigned menu that includes more than 100 different foods. Design students
Katelyn Whitman, Hannah Florentine, and Hannah Flynn, along with faculty member Scott
Gladd: Developed their logo design using a font that resembled Nepali script and
the shape authentic tandoor oven commonly used to cook Indian cuisine.
Professor Chris Lantinen and student Julia Carden set up a new restaurant Facebook
page and renamed and restored the restaurant's Instagram page, also gathering
various posts to get social media accounts up and running. Tandoori Hut has quickly
garnered more than 100 followers on each platform.
“Dharma is a historical entrepreneur within the Erie scene, as at one point
she was the only owner of a restaurant under the age of 30 in the entire city, "said Lantinen,
who works as digital media coordinator at the center. “Personally, it was a pleasure
get to know her and work with her. ”
The Edinboro Center for Branding and Strategic Communication is part of the NWPA Beehive Innovation Network, which also includes Gannon University, Mercyhurst University, Penn State Behrend
and the Erie County Public Library. Former client of the hive Kristen Santiago, owner
from Gone Local and Ivy + Atlas, helped connect Tandoori Hut owner with resources
available through NWPA Innovation Beehive Network, which provides free consulting
services to entrepreneurs, small businesses and other organizations.
“Kristen was correct in her assessment that Tandoori Hut would be an ideal client
for us, ”Peyronel said. “She is not only a successful small business owner and former
customer itself, but is also connected to many of the key partners and players that
are working together to advance economic development efforts here in the Erie region.
We are proud to be a small part of that. ”
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