Lenexis Foodworks, a key player in India’s quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry, has made a remarkable mark in 2025, with its brands Chinese Wok and Big Bowl sweeping top honours across multiple award platforms nationwide. These recognitions reflect the group’s consistent growth, operational strength, and deep connection with Indian consumers.

Chinese Wok, the company’s flagship brand, was crowned QSR Chain of the Year at the ET Great India Retail Awards, and was celebrated as a Category Disruptor in the Restaurants, QSR & Food Services segment at the ET Brand Disrupt Awards. Its innovation in digital engagement was recognized with a win at the MOMMY Awards 2025 for Best Use of AR/VR, showcasing its shift towards experiential marketing.

At the Food Connoisseurs India Awards 2025, Chinese Wok earned the title of Best Quick Service Restaurant Chain - West India. Regionally, it stood out at the Times Food & Nightlife Awards with multiple titles including:

• Best Asian Casual Dining – Navi Mumbai and Thane
  

• Best Chinese Restaurant – Thane, Navi Mumbai, Jaipur, and Noida
  

• Best QSR Casual Dining – Gurgaon
  

On the delivery front, the Swiggy Awards 2025 recognized Chinese Wok’s popularity across several cities:

• Best Chinese:
  

• Rank 1 in Madurai, Amritsar, Mysore
  

• Rank 2 in Vadodara, Mumbai, Faridabad, Kanpur
  

• Rank 3 in Jalandhar, Chennai, Vijayawada, Jaipur, Lucknow, Nagpur
  

• Best Momos – Chennai
  

• Best Newcomer – Manipal
  

Meanwhile, Big Bowl, the cloud kitchen brand from Lenexis, won Cloud Kitchen of the Year – West India at the Food Connoisseurs India Awards, and ranked second in Best Chinese (Amritsar) at the Swiggy Awards.

These accolades come as Lenexis Foodworks pursues its vision of scaling up to 500 stores by 2027, opening 100 new outlets annually. From one outlet in 2015, the company has grown to over 235 locations in 35+ cities, positioning Chinese Wok as India’s largest Chinese QSR chain. The group is also expanding into East India with aggressive growth plans in Kolkata and neighbouring markets.

2025 also marked a year of fresh innovations. Chinese Wok launched new street-style offerings such as Kurkure Momos and Desi Chowmein, tailored to local tastes. The brand also debuted its cricket season ad campaign, blending themed visuals, contests, and special packaging.

Lenexis Foodworks continues to invest in storytelling and community efforts, from school outreach programs to revamped in-store experiences, strengthening its identity as a vibrant, home-grown brand. As it celebrates a decade of impact, the company is set to redefine Asian fast food experiences across India.

This World Environment Day, Booking.com’s 10th edition of the Travel & Sustainability Report 2025 offers a powerful glimpse into how Indian travellers are making a difference with conscious, responsible travel choices. With the theme “Ending Global Plastic Pollution,” the report reveals that 87% of Indian travellers aim to travel more sustainably in the next 12 months—actively making changes to minimise waste, reduce energy use, and lower the impact of transportation, food, and wildlife activities.

The global survey features insights from over 32,000 travellers across 34 countries, including India, and highlights a shift towards more intentional, eco-conscious travel behaviours.

Conscious Choices for Cleaner Getaways

Indian travellers are embracing sustainability in everyday travel habits:

• 52% plan to use greener transport
• 51% aim to reduce waste
• 50% focus on energy conservation
• 45% plan to reduce water usage during trips

In addition to these operational efforts, many travellers are being mindful of their broader impact:

• 48% intend to avoid wildlife-harming activities
• 49% are prioritising eco-certified stays
• 49% are making more mindful food choices

Sustainability Is Now a Standard

As sustainability becomes central to travel planning, Indian travellers are asking for more clarity and control in the booking process.

•  75% want to filter tours and activities by sustainability
• 74% want this for accommodations
• 72% for rental cars, and 69% for flights

Furthermore,

• 71% believe all travel platforms should adopt consistent sustainability labels
• 72% would feel better about flying if lower-emission flights were offered

Although 61% of Indian travellers perceive sustainable travel options as costlier, many are still choosing them when presented transparently. When offered

• 29% opt for more sustainable accommodation
• 26% choose greener tours
• 15% go for electric/hybrid rental cars
• 14% pick lower-emission flights or taxis

Top Sustainable Travel Destinations

Booking.com also released a list of top destinations with the highest share of properties having independent third-party sustainability certifications.

Top 10 Indian Destinations:

1. Kanha, Madhya Pradesh
   
   

2. Khawasa, Madhya Pradesh
   
   

3. Panaji, Goa
   
   

4. Agra, Uttar Pradesh
   
   

5. Jodhpur, Rajasthan
   
   

6. Hyderabad, Telangana
   
   

7. Candolim, Goa
   
   

8. Bengaluru, Karnataka
   
   

9. Mumbai, Maharashtra
   
   

10. Pune, Maharashtra
    
    

Top 10 Global Destinations for 2025:

1. Winnipeg, Canada
   
   

2. Den Haag, Netherlands
   
   

3. Hamburg, Germany
   
   

4. Ankara, Turkey
   
   

5. Geneva, Switzerland
   
   

6. Aarhus, Denmark
   
   

7. Puebla, Mexico
   
   

8. Newcastle, UK
   
   

9. Seoul, South Korea
   
   

10. Roanoke, USA
    
    

Santosh Kumar, Country Manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia at Booking.com, said:

“Indian travellers are demonstrating a clear and growing commitment to sustainable travel — not just in their intentions, but in their actions. From opting for greener transport and reducing waste, to actively seeking accommodations with credible sustainability credentials, Indians today are looking to make a meaningful difference.”

He added,

“At Booking.com, we aim to make every step of the travel journey more meaningful and aligned with the values of today’s conscious Indian traveller— through highlighting stays with credible third-party sustainability certifications or equipping properties with the training and guidance they need to reduce their environmental impact.”

As the world moves toward a greener tomorrow, Indian travellers are already taking meaningful steps to ensure that travel experiences remain beautiful, responsible, and accessible for generations to come.

Via Bianca, a charming new destination for regional Italian cuisine, has officially opened its doors at N Block Market, GK I, New Delhi. Conceptualised and launched with the support of CYK Hospitalities, India’s premier F&B consultancy, Via Bianca promises a refined, heartfelt culinary experience rooted in tradition and authenticity.

At the heart of this venture is Chef Kamalika Anand, an alumna of Le Cordon Bleu, London, and ALMA, Italy. With experience in Michelin-starred kitchens and deep immersion in the European culinary world, Chef Kamalika envisioned a space that pays homage to Italy’s diverse regional fare. "Via Bianca has lived in my head and heart for a long time. It's more than a restaurant—it's a tribute to the Italy I studied, lived, and loved," she shared.

The restaurant’s ambience blends rustic Italian charm with contemporary elegance. Features like an open kitchen, wood-fired oven, and a pasta shaping station enhance the dining experience, offering guests an immersive look into the culinary craft.

The menu takes diners on a journey across Italy’s regions, with dishes such as Strata Bianca di Zucchini, Spaghetti all'Assassina, and Tigelle 'Nduja, reflecting both skill and soul. From seasoned gourmets to curious foodies, Via Bianca aims to make authentic Italian cuisine both accessible and memorable.

CYK Hospitalities played an instrumental role in bringing this vision to life—from designing ergonomic kitchen workflows to curating the entire guest journey. "Via Bianca is a reflection of meaningful collaboration. We saw Kamalika's passion and aligned it with a solid framework, from planning to execution," said Pulkit Arora, Director of CYK Hospitalities.

With its soulful food, striking interiors, and operational finesse, Via Bianca is more than a restaurant—it's a culinary landmark in the making. Backed by CYK Hospitalities' end-to-end brand-building expertise, it stands poised to redefine experiential dining in Delhi.

About CYK Hospitalities

Founded by Pulkit Arora and Simranjeet Singh, CYK Hospitalities is a full-service F&B consultancy providing turnkey solutions across the hospitality spectrum—from concept creation and chef hiring to menu engineering, SOP design, branding, and market strategy.