Emerging Food Brands Disrupt Legacy Players as QSR Chains Gain Structure

Emerging Food Brands Disrupt Legacy Players as QSR Chains Gain Structure

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 10, 2024

The Indian food industry is witnessing a dynamic shift as emerging brands outpace legacy players, especially in the retail and delivery segments. Experts at the 17th edition of the India Food Forum discussed the growing formalization in the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) space and the transformation of consumer behavior.

RS Sodhi, President of the Indian Dairy Association, emphasized the trend, pointing out that while the Indian economy is growing over 6%, large FMCG companies are expanding at a slower pace of 3%. “Emerging brands are clearly gaining market share at the cost of established players in the food sector,” he said.

In the QSR segment, Ravindra Yadav, Partner – Retail & Food Services at Technopak, highlighted a positive shift toward organized markets. “The organized chain food market is expected to rise to 21% by 2030 from the current 15%, while the unorganized informal market may drop from 52% to 41% in the same period,” he shared during the keynote address.

The food retail space is also undergoing significant change. While general trade still dominates with 85% of the market, the rapid adoption of online platforms is enabling emerging brands to expand their reach. With modern households making purchase decisions collaboratively online, experts see quick commerce as a cost-effective strategy for emerging brands. 

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“Affordability and price remain key factors in food retail decisions, but value-driven factors also play a significant role,” noted Yoann Painbeni, Managing Director – APAC, Retail Vertical, NielsenIQ.

Sodhi also shed light on the untapped potential in formalizing India’s beloved snacks. “Pani-puri alone has a market worth ₹70,000 crore, with 10% already organized. Think about the immense opportunity for other traditional snacks like kachoris and samosas as they enter organized markets,” he said. 

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While urban QSR chains face challenges like high raw material and operational costs, Yadav pointed out that revenue growth is steady, although operating profit remains under pressure.

The forum also presented insightful data on the growth of food services across regions. Beyond metro cities, the food service industry is booming in Tier I and Tier II cities, with growth rates of 6.5%, 6.9%, and 12.8% respectively between 2019 and 2024, amounting to billions in revenue.

About India Food Forum:
India Food Forum is the country’s premier food B2B intelligence and exhibition platform. With extensive product showcases, a two-day conference, masterclasses, networking opportunities, and prestigious awards, it bridges the gap between businesses and innovation in the food and grocery retail and food service sectors.

About IMAGES Group:
IMAGES Group is South Asia’s leading retail intelligence association, fostering growth in modern retail through knowledge-sharing platforms. From print and digital reportage to annual business events, conferences, and workshops, it serves as a catalyst for the retail industry’s evolution.


Banaraswala Opens Two New QSR Outlets in Rohini, Bringing Authentic Banarasi Flavours to Delhi

Banaraswala Opens Two New QSR Outlets in Rohini, Bringing Authentic Banarasi Flavours to Delhi

By Hariharan U

Published on August 26, 2026

Banaraswala – Ghat Se Ghar Tak has expanded its presence into New Delhi with the opening of two new QSR outlets in Rohini, bringing the authentic flavours and culinary traditions of Banaras to the capital.

The bootstrapped food brand, which began its journey with its first outlet in Varanasi, has expanded beyond its home city with the aim of making traditional Banarasi food more accessible to urban diners.

The two new outlets are located at Amba Tower, DC Chowk, Rohini Sector 9, and Pocket B4, Pocket 4, Sector 7B, Rohini. The outlets combine the convenience of a quick-service restaurant with recipes and flavours inspired by the food culture of Varanasi.

The menu features several popular Banarasi specialities, including Tamatar Chaat, Bedmi Puri Sabzi, Dahi Bhalla, Launglatta and Banarasiya Lassi. The offering also includes other traditional North Indian preparations, giving diners an opportunity to explore regional flavours in a contemporary QSR format.

Banaraswala's concept is built around preserving the character of traditional Banarasi cuisine rather than significantly altering classic recipes. The brand draws inspiration from the food found across the ghats and streets of Banaras, translating familiar regional dishes into a format suited to modern urban lifestyles.

The expansion comes amid growing interest in regional Indian cuisines, with consumers increasingly seeking food experiences rooted in local traditions and culinary heritage. Banaraswala aims to address this demand by combining authentic recipes with the accessibility and convenience of a QSR format.

The brand's journey has been entirely bootstrapped, growing from a single outlet in Varanasi into a multi-city food business. According to the company, customer response and loyalty in its home market played a key role in giving it the confidence to enter Delhi.

Commenting on the expansion, Vibhanshu Mishra, Founder & CEO, Banaraswala – Ghat Se Ghar Tak, said, "Banaras is unique in terms of its cuisine in the entire country. Each dish is associated with history, culture, and emotions that people have grown up with."

He added that the brand was created to take authentic Banarasi dishes beyond the ghats and introduce them to diners who may not have experienced the cuisine in its original setting.

With its Delhi expansion, Banaraswala aims to build an emotional connection with diners through the flavours of Banaras while developing a scalable regional food brand rooted in authenticity and culinary heritage.

Outlet Details:

Outlet 1: Shop No. 29, Amba Tower, DC Chowk, Rohini Sector 9, New Delhi
Outlet 2: Pocket B4, Pocket 4, Sector 7B, Rohini, Delhi – 110085
Cuisine: Banarasi & North Indian
Format: QSR


Eatinn' Love Trattoria Opens in Jayanagar with Pala Romana Pizza

Eatinn' Love Trattoria Opens in Jayanagar with Pala Romana Pizza

By Hariharan U

Published on August 26, 2026

Eating Love has entered a new chapter with the launch of Eatinn' Love Trattoria in Jayanagar, Bengaluru, bringing its sourdough-led approach to a broader Italian dining experience inspired by the warmth and simplicity of traditional Roman trattorias.

The newly renovated restaurant moves beyond the brand's identity as a pizza destination, creating a more complete neighbourhood dining experience built around fresh ingredients, scratch-made preparations and an emphasis on thoughtful cooking.

Designed to evoke the character of a lived-in corner of Rome, Eatinn' Love Trattoria features a warm and understated setting intended to feel welcoming and familiar. The concept reflects the brand's philosophy of slowing down the dining experience and placing greater emphasis on craftsmanship, quality and authenticity.

A key highlight of the new restaurant is the introduction of Pala Romana pizza, a Roman-style pizza known for its light, airy texture and distinctive rectangular format. The category remains relatively underrepresented in India, and Eatinn' Love Trattoria aims to introduce it to Bengaluru diners through a focused approach rooted in traditional Italian techniques.

The Pala Romana offering has been developed to provide a different experience from conventional pizza, with an emphasis on balance, texture and flavour. The restaurant has adapted the style carefully while retaining its connection to authentic Italian culinary techniques.

The launch also introduces a more focused menu designed around depth rather than variety, allowing individual dishes to receive greater attention in terms of ingredients, preparation and presentation. Sourdough continues to remain central to the brand's culinary philosophy.

Reflecting its commitment to inclusive dining, Eatinn' Love Trattoria offers vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free pizzas, providing options for a wider range of diners.

The restaurant's identity is expressed through an understated logo featuring two angled hearts, representing the care and intention behind the food and hospitality experience.

With its focus on patient cooking, fresh preparations and Roman-inspired dining, Eatinn' Love Trattoria positions itself as a neighbourhood destination for diners looking for a more relaxed and authentic Italian experience in Jayanagar.

Restaurant Details:

Venue: Eatinn' Love Trattoria, Jayanagar, Bengaluru
Timings: 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Contact: 8660700642
Cuisine: Italian
Dietary Options: Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten-Free Pizzas


Zega at Sheraton Hyderabad Unveils Mizuwari Series Inspired by Samurai Virtues

Zega at Sheraton Hyderabad Unveils Mizuwari Series Inspired by Samurai Virtues

By Hariharan U

Published on August 25, 2026

Zega at Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel has unveiled the Mizuwari Series, a new collection of seven signature cocktails inspired by the Japanese tradition of Mizuwari, meaning “cut with water,” and the seven virtues of the Samurai.

Rooted in the principles of balance, restraint and refinement, the new beverage concept combines bold flavours, subtle dilution and considered craftsmanship. Each cocktail is designed around a distinct virtue, translating elements of Japanese philosophy into a contemporary drinking experience.

The collection features Makoto, Chu, Ikigai, Rei, Jin, Yu and Meiyo, with each creation offering its own flavour profile and personality.

The journey begins with Makoto – Honesty & Sincerity, combining vodka, Aperol, yuzu lime and fizz. Chu – Duty & Loyalty brings together bourbon whisky, lime, sesame and Angostura bitters in a characterful highball.

Ikigai – The Secret to a Long & Happy Life combines gin, cherry cordial, hibiscus and sparkling elements, while Rei – Beauty in Imperfection takes a more unexpected approach with vodka, pickled ginger, kaffir lime, cucumber and watermelon.

The collection continues with Jin – Compassion, a blush-pink highball featuring gin, passion, strawberry sweet vermouth, citrus and fizz. Yu – Heroic Courage combines gin, cherry wine, Campari, lime and fizz, while Meiyo – Honour brings together white rum, pineapple, Campari and lime for a more layered profile.

Together, the seven cocktails create a beverage experience that goes beyond individual flavour combinations, inviting guests to explore the stories and virtues represented by each creation.

Through the Mizuwari Series, Zega continues to explore contemporary Japanese-inspired beverage experiences, bringing together traditional philosophy, modern mixology and thoughtful presentation. From refreshing and delicate profiles to richer and more complex combinations, the collection encourages guests to pause, discover and savour each cocktail.

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