Today we’d like to introduce you to Ramya Peruka.
Hi Ramya, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Hyderabad, India. My dad is a farmer.
I grew up in Warangal, India, in a family of farmers where red chilies, turmeric, and hard work were part of everyday life. After moving to the United States, I built a successful career as a software engineer, but deep down I knew I wanted to create something that represented my roots.
I took a leap of faith, left the corporate world, and started my first food business. That journey taught me resilience, but it also inspired me to think bigger. That’s when I founded Country Bird—a brand built around a simple idea: introducing authentic Indian dry-rub flavors to American fried chicken.
Our spices are inspired by generations of family farming in India, with many of our chilies sourced from my family’s farms in Warangal. They are hand picked and hand made . Instead of relying on heavy sauces, we developed our own line of handcrafted Indian dry rubs that bring bold, regional flavors to wings, tenders, and more.
Today, Country Bird has grown beyond a food truck. We’re expanding into retail, partnering with premium meat markets, developing our own dry rub and sauce line, and preparing for our first brick-and-mortar location. My mission is to build a nationally recognized food brand that proudly represents Indian flavors while creating something completely new for the American market.
At its heart, Country Bird is proof that with courage, persistence, and a strong connection to your roots, it’s possible to turn a dream into a growing business that people genuinely connect with.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Building Country Bird Alone being single woman meant taking a huge risk by leaving a stable career to pursue a vision that didn’t exist in the market. Introducing Indian dry-rub fried chicken in Texas came with its own challenges because we weren’t following a traditional model. We had to educate customers, develop every recipe from scratch, and prove that bold Indian flavors could become mainstream.
Like many small businesses, we also faced the realities of entrepreneurship—limited resources, long hours, equipment issues, staffing challenges, and the constant pressure of growing while maintaining quality. There were days when I questioned everything, but I never questioned the vision.
Every setback became an opportunity to improve. Instead of giving up, we refined our recipes, built relationships with local businesses, partnered with premium meat markets, and expanded beyond the food truck into retail dry rubs and sauces.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that success isn’t about avoiding challenges—it’s about staying committed through them. Every obstacle has made Country Bird stronger, and today we’re building more than a restaurant. We’re building a brand that proudly introduces authentic Indian flavors to America, one customer at a time.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Country bird ?
Country Bird isn’t just a chicken brand—it’s the first company built around authentic Indian dry rubs. Our mission is to introduce India’s incredible regional spices to American comfort food in a way that’s bold, approachable, and unforgettable.
What makes us different is that we don’t rely on heavy sauces or artificial flavors. Every dry rub is developed from scratch using real spices inspired by different regions of India. Many of our chilies are sourced directly from my family’s farms in Warangal, India, where my family has been farming for generations. Every blend is handcrafted, balanced, and designed to let the quality of the spices shine.
While our food truck introduced thousands of people to our concept, Country Bird has grown into much more than a restaurant. Today we’re partnering with premium meat markets, supplying our signature dry rubs for fresh marinated meats, and developing a retail line of dry rubs and sauces so customers can enjoy our flavors at home. We’re also preparing for our first brick-and-mortar location as we continue expanding the brand.
What I’m most proud of is that we’ve created something truly original. We didn’t copy an existing concept—we created one. Country Bird is building a new category by combining authentic Indian flavors with American favorites, while staying committed to quality, innovation, and our agricultural roots.
My vision is to make Country Bird a nationally recognized brand that proudly represents Indian flavors on the global food stage, proving that spices from our farms and traditions can become part of everyday dining across America.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My biggest advice is to start before you feel ready. Too many people spend years waiting for the perfect time, perfect funding, or perfect plan. The truth is, you learn by doing.
I also believe it’s important to create something original instead of following trends. When I started Country Bird, there wasn’t a blueprint for Indian dry-rub fried chicken. We had to build the concept from the ground up, and that meant taking risks and believing in our vision even when others didn’t fully understand it.
One thing I wish I had known earlier is that setbacks are part of the journey. Every challenge teaches you something that success never will. Don’t let temporary failures define your long-term vision.
Most importantly, never compromise on quality or authenticity. Build a brand that people remember, not just a business that makes money. If you’re passionate, willing to outwork the competition, and committed to constant improvement, opportunities will follow.
Dream big, stay humble, keep learning, and never give up. Sometimes your greatest advantage is simply refusing to quit.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://eatcountrybirdtx.com/menu
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/countrybirdtx?igsh=MWx6YzR2YXpoMGtjcg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
