Kumar Sanu's restaurant also to serve nostalgia with food

L'opera, Delhi-based french patisserie and bakery chain, has set an ambitious target of opening 66 outlets by 2025.

With new locations planned in key Tier I cities; including Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, and Chennai. 

Additionally, the brand aims to add 200 more outlets within 7 to 8 years, signaling an aggressive foray into Tier II and III cities.

“This strategic expansion is backed by a clear market opportunity to meet the rising demand for premium, European-style cafe experiences outside traditional metro hubs,” shared Kazem Samandari, Co-Founder and Executive Founder, L’opera.

Revenue Projections and Growth Forecast

L'opera expects to achieve a 20x increase in revenue compared to its current earnings. This growth projection is aligned with its geographic expansion plans and product innovation roadmap. 

“We organized a soft launch at the Chanakya Mall in Delhi, focusing on high-end, experiential retail formats located in luxury settings,” added Samandari.

Competitive Pricing Model

Despite using premium ingredients like avocado, salmon, and blue cheese, L'opera maintains a price point 20–30 percent lower than similar offerings at five-star hotels. 

“This pricing strategy ensures accessibility without compromising quality, catering to affluent yet value-conscious consumers,” Kazem emphasized.

Leadership and Culinary Vision

The brand recently unveiled a new collection of gourmet canapes under the creative direction of Chef Amelie Duthel, a Michelin-trained chef from Aix-en-Provence, France. The selection includes a mix of Feuilletes, Tapas, and Mini Pastries, crafted with precision and originality.

From the founders of Shiv Sagar, Butterfly High & Kyma, here comes the announcement of the expansion of their second outlet of The Bigg Small Cafe + bar, an all-day modern neighbourhood cafe and bar is all set to open on 12th December at Lower Parel, Mumbai.

With a cozy 3000 square feet, the team is introducing their distinctive concept to a new audience after the success of their original location in Saki Naka. Nishant and Umesh Desai, Founders of UDA India, designed the whimsical interiors of Bigg Small Cafe + Bar, which will enhance its charm with rustic stone walls and communal tables.

Shared his vision for Bigg Small Cafe + Bar as an evolution of the brand’s legacy, Narayan Poojari, Founder of Shiv Sagar Foods & Resorts Pvt. Ltd, said, “Bigg Small Cafe + Bar is a place where generations can come together, where the young and the old can feel at home while discovering something fresh.” 

"We’ve created Bigg Small Cafe + Bar as a place where people can gather to enjoy not just great food, but an experience. We’re proud of the menu, which offers a fusion of global and local flavours, making sure every palate is satisfied,” explained Ankita Poojari, Director of Shiv Sagar Foods & Resorts Pvt Ltd.

Highlighting about the balance between tradition and innovation, Nikita Poojari, Director of Shiv Sagar Foods & Resorts Pvt Ltd said, "At Bigg Small Cafe + Bar, we wanted to give people a space that feels like home but with a lively twist. Our menu is a reflection of that—combining comforting flavours with new, exciting dishes that we can’t wait to share with our community."

The menu will also include best-selling dishes from Mahesh Lunch Home, which is run by the same founding team in three locations and combines tradition and contemporary as an homage to its origins.

India's most popular neighborhood café, SOCIAL, has made its way to Hazratganj, one of Lucknow's most recognizable and active neighborhoods. Known for fusing tradition with modern eccentricities, SOCIAL's 55th location, which can accommodate 500 people, has transformed an old Haveli into a bold and modern setting that pays homage to the city's cultural past.

The modern and the antique are blended together inside the new Hazratganj SOCIAL. Richly restored Awadhi architectural elements such as arches, 4-post beds, and jharokhas, as well as heritage windows and "Lakhori" bricks, give the outlet depth and personality.

 “Hazratganj is the heart of Lucknow, and there couldn’t be a better place for SOCIAL to make its debut in the city. It’s got that perfect mix of rich history, vibrant culture, and a unique blend of old-world charm with modern energy. Hazratganj has always been a favorite hangout for locals and visitors, and SOCIAL fits right in with its own twist of heritage meeting hustle. It’s where tradition and contemporary lifestyles come together—just like SOCIAL’s vibe of blending local culture with something bold and new,” commented Riyaaz Amlani, Managing Director, Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt. Ltd.

Adding to this, Arshad Syed, Executive Director, Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. elaborated, “This is a significant milestone for me, as Lucknow is my home and has been an inspiration in so many ways throughout my life. Hazratganj SOCIAL will bring alive everything that SOCIAL stands for—a vibrant space where people can connect, celebrate, and experience the unique blend of culture and creativity that makes this city so special. It’s a place where the past and present come together, where local stories are honored, and new memories are made, capturing the essence of Lucknow in every corner.”

Amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, major fast food and coffee chains, McDonald's and Starbucks, have halted operations at some locations in Wuhan, China.

The virus has already claimed the lives of at least 81 victims while more than 50 million people remain on lockdown in 17 Chinese cities.

McDonald's and Starbucks have suspended business at select locations in the Wuhan area, the capital at the Hubei province, in hopes of preventing the virus’ spread.

Starbucks

The coffee chain has temporarily closed over half of its stores in mainland China as an outbreak of coronavirus has surged through the country, affecting thousands of people.

Starbucks’s called the viral outbreak a very complex situation. In order to limit the spread of the virus among workers and customers, the company closed its locations in China at the direction of local government officials as well as "proactively".

Kevin Johnson, CEO of Starbucks, said, “Our immediate focus is on two key priorities in China. First, caring for the health and well-being of our partners and customers in our stores, while second is on playing a constructive role in supporting local health officials and government leaders as they work to contain the coronavirus.”

“I have anticipated raising the company's financial forecast for the year, but would not do so now due to the dynamic situation unfolding with the coronavirus,” he added.

China is the second-largest market for Starbucks, which had almost 4,300 stores there at the end of 2019.

Starbucks stated, “Currently, we have closed more than half of our stores in China and continue to monitor and modify the operating hours of all of our stores in the market in response to the outbreak of the coronavirus.”

McDonald's

McDonald's has closed all of its restaurants in Hubei, the Chinese province area, due to the virus outbreak that has spread beyond the country's borders.

Chris Kempczinski, CEO of McDonald's, said, “The situation is "fluid" and "concerning," and the chain decided to close all of its restaurants in Hubei, which amount to several hundred. But three thousand outlets elsewhere in China remain open.”

“Right now, as you would expect, our priority's really on our employees, on our customers, doing everything we can to make sure that they are safe and taken care of,” Kempczinski added.

China has become one of McDonald's largest and fastest-growing markets, with about 3,300 restaurants and 1,500 more planned by 2022. The country accounts for 9% of all its restaurants but only about four to five percent of its sales and three percent of its income.

Biryani is an evergreen classic dish that really needs no introduction. India offers so much on its culinary platter but the one dish that all Indians unanimously love indulging in is the mouth-watering biryani.

With variations having evolved into distinctive styles of biryanis, one is spoilt for options when it comes to experiencing this melting pot of flavours. JustMyRoots has tied up many renowned places with Authentic Flavours of Biryani’s from different communities across India, which can be ordered while sitting in the comfort of your home or wherever you may be within India.

From the light and fragrant Lucknow biryani to the spicy Hyderabadi one, the Kolkata version with potatoes and eggs to the mild Malabar Biryani, there are numerous regional variations of this dish one can order at Justmyroots from Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Delhi right at your doorstep.

The deliciously complex blend of flavours, spices, and aromas in biryani have come to epitomize the zenith of Indian cuisine. A complete meal in itself, biryani has enough varieties to please one and all. Eaten with love and gusto by the rich as well as poor, Biryani is indeed a marvel of India’s culinary heritage now easily available at the one-stop destination, JustMyRoots.

JustMyRoots makes it possible for one to enjoy such delicacies wherever they are in India and having tie-ups with renowned & authentic restaurants across the country right from Dastarkhhwan from Lucknow to Arsalan from Kolkata, one can order the Biryani according to their taste from the website and they will deliver it to you.

Popularity of Biryani

India is a diverse country and its cultural diversity can easily be witnessed in its food. One such food is biryani, which is prepared differently in every region. There are over 20 types of biryanis in India, showcasing the craze for this dish in the hearts of the Indian population.

Biryani is considered the antithesis of fast foods. It is mostly preferred on special occasions or in fine dine-ins. However, one might not be surprised to learn that according to some food delivery apps Biryani is among the most popular dish ordered and its demand far surpasses western items. In fact, for fitness freaks and gym-goers, Biryani is their cheat meal.

With foodies showing insatiable love for this royal dish, franchisors serving different varieties of Biryani have forayed into the market.

Franchisors cashing in on the Biryani trend

Indian biryani market has largely been dominated by the unorganised sector & local shops. With the emergence of technology & food delivery platforms, entrepreneurs saw this as an opportunity for catering their services to a large number of audiences.

As per the industry reports, biryani’s dominance is unchallenged in the food ordering sector. In fact, industry estimate puts organised biryani delivery industry at a massive Rs 2500 crore.

Franchisors are cashing in on the trend of this biryani. The major reason for the success of these franchises is the uniqueness of their offerings; each brand has created a niche of its own, which is a contributing factor for success.

For instance, Biryani by Kilo (BBK), as the name suggests, provides biryani not by the plate but by the kilo. BBK is also the only biryani chain to make fresh biryani with every order in individual handis, which takes around 90 minutes to deliver.

Dramz, a luxury dining restaurant, and whiskey bar announced its launch in a happening party on the eve of May 26th, Saturday. The event witnessed the presence of some of the top fashion and food influencers like Akansha Redhu, Natascha Shah, Editor of TLF Magazine, Mukul Bhatia, Photographer and Fashion Influencer.

Committed to serving some of the best European, Asian and Oriental cuisines, Dramz is a unique place that has four different outlets each with a one-of-a-kind menu with a different ambiance and mood.

Open 7 days a week, popular dishes include starters of Carribean Jerk Chicken, Italian baked meatballs and main courses feature Roasted creamy chicken, Machhi Tikka, Oven Baked White button mushroom among other delicacies.

Dramz is the dream project of Aishwarya Suri who imagined it to be an amalgamation of history, culture, and food. It is designed in an old English/Scottish cottage home style, offering the dual experience of a traditional and contemporary vibe for food and whiskey lovers.

“I am so excited that the dream of opening a place that’s so culturally and aesthetically unique has finally come true. I took up the challenge of launching this place as it had the potential to deliver a world class experience be it on food, ambiance or the spectacular view of the iconic Qutub. Our new menu has some of the best food from all around the world, and we are now offering Anglo-Indian, Oriental, European and Asian cuisines. The food is already a favourite among the people who have tried it.”

She added, “The idea behind Dramz is to offer something unique to everyone who visits our restaurant, this is also clearly visible in our four different outlets all of which provide an entirely different experience.”

Popular restaurant chain like Punjab Grill, Baker Street and Street Foods, which is run by Lite Bite Foods, is considering to raise funds through an initial public offer (IPO).

The company runs close to 140 restaurant outlets through its portfolio of over a dozen brands and is promoted by Dabur's Vice Chairman Amit Burman and Rohit Aggarwal.”

"We are toying with the idea ..maybe next year we will be big enough to think of an IPO. We have met different bankers about how we should go ahead. We would rather go in for IPO than private equity. We are having discussions but nothing is decided yet. Maybe next year," said Lite Bite Foods Chairman Amit Burman.

"As of now, it is all internal accruals from promoter funds," he added.

Lite Bite Foods has also bagged master concession right for the development of eateries in 5-tier 2-tier airports in India.

The company plans to open close to 60 new outlets in India in the next financial year, mostly in these new airports, through a portfolio of its owned and franchised brands.

At present, the company opens outlets from the portfolio of 12 owned brands and 7 managed brands such as KFC, Burger King, Subway and Pizza Hut at airports.

"Travel by Indians is going up and we want to look at airport travel retail as a separate business vertical. We have had experience of running eateries at airports. We have bagged master concession for Indore, Ahmedabad, Coonoor, Calicut, and Bhubaneshwar airports. We are also looking at expanding the existing presence at the Jammu and Pune Airports,” he said.

At present, the company operates 58 outlets at airports in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune, Jammu, and Goa.

Burman said the company also plans to bid for a concession at airports outside India such as Thailand, Singapore, and Dubai, whenever an opportunity comes.

The company is also looking at expanding its business of institutional catering. It at present operates 21 outlets for running this business. It serves 10 institutional clients.

The quick-service restaurants Kamats Restaurants that operates at various highway locations and cities has launched its new outlet at Nashik Sinnar, in the Pune Nashik Highway.

The restaurant offers pure vegetarian, delicious food ideal for travelers in pure and hygienic surroundings from wide of variety of quality food, fresh ingredients and distinctive flavours.

The multi-cuisine restaurant offers diverse food preferences delicious South Indian, Punjabi, Snacks, Mughlai as well as Maharashtrain delicacies along with its extensive breakfast, lunch and dinner menu at affordable prices
The restaurant chain iis known for trendy offerings and new innovations in menu to keep it ahead of its competitors.
The extensive menu includes varieties of South Indian dishes (idli, dosa, vada, uthappa), traditional Maharashtrian dishes (Misal Pav, Sabudana Vada), starters, combo meals, popular North Indian dishes, Indian breads, Main Course and choice of desserts.

“Kamats has emerged as a symbol of quality, originality and trust. Hygiene, quality and customer satisfaction are core concepts exercised by our team distinguish the brand from local restaurants,” it said.

Since 2013 Kamats has started expanding its restaurant chain and concentrated on standardizing its products and services through centralized purchasing and training system.

Online food delivery platform Freshmenu is opening its first offline store. This flagship store will be launched at the Bengaluru International airport.

K Ganesh, who has invested in Freshmenu, said the outlet will open this year and is mainly being opened for branding purposes. He said there are no plans to launch more outlets. “The airport gets a huge footfall. We had been getting a lot of demand and queries from customers to launch an outlet there. The menu will be tweaked a bit to suit more take-out options.

Unlike food delivery companies Swiggy and Zomato, Freshmenu prepares meals in its own kitchens and delivers them. Other new age food players that have taken the online-plus-offline route include Mumbai-based Faasos, Delhi-based Chaayos, and Bengaluru-based ChaiPoint and Brekkie.

Many food players have struggled in recent times. Thin margins and waning venture capital investments have pushed online-only companies like TinyOwl and Yumist to either shut down or restrict their operations.

Since its launch in 2014 in Bengaluru, Freshmenu has expanded its menu and extended its presence to Mumbai and Delhi-NCR. In 2015-16, Freshmenu had Rs 34 crore in losses on revenue of Rs 31 crore. The company says it gets about 12,000 orders every day. Bengaluru accounts for 80% of it. The company has so far got $22 million in funding from investors including Zodius, and Lightspeed Venture Partners.

Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has launched its first artificial intelligence-enabled store in the Chinese capital city and plans to further expand its layout of smart restaurants, creating more innovative and interesting dining experiences for customers.

With the cooperation of Baidu Inc, China's largest search engine, KFC started its first smart restaurant in the Financial Street area in Beijing.

At the store, customers are able to take pictures with a machine, which will recognise the diner's face, sex, age, mood and other features, then help to recommend suitable food and set meals and complete the ordering process.

Wu Zhongqin, deputy director of the Institute of Deep Learning of Baidu Inc, which helped to develop the technology said, "If the consumer visits the store again and takes a picture with the machine, it will be able to recognise his or her face and show the previous purchase history, remember the customer's dining habits, and help to place an order faster."

With another machine with an augmented reality, or AR function, customers are able to interact with the machine, change facial expressions by shaking their heads in front of the machine, take photos, and save them to their phones.

In April, KFC, an affiliate of Yum China Holdings Inc, started its first Chinese smart restaurant in Shanghai.

The outlet is equipped with intelligent robot ordering, debuting the use of artificial intelligence in chain restaurants, state-run China Daily reported.

Zhao Li, general manager of Beijing KFC, said smart restaurants are not only about the cool hardware, but more about providing convenience to consumers.

"Our innovations make use of the cutting-edge technologies and they will help to attract more young consumers who prefer fashionable new things. The digitalisation of the restaurant will also help to provide faster and easier services," she said.

"We believe that the restaurant dining experiences must continue to upgrade. With 5,000 stores in China, we plan to expand such services nationwide soon, to adapt to the digital age and enable more consumers to experience enjoyable ordering experiences."