NRAI Mumbai Chapter Offers 20% “Democracy Discount” to Encourage Voter Participation

NRAI Mumbai Chapter Offers 20% “Democracy Discount” to Encourage Voter Participation

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on November 20, 2024

The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) Mumbai Chapter has launched a unique initiative aimed at boosting voter turnout in the upcoming general elections. In an effort to engage the city's urban voters, NRAI has introduced the "Democracy Discount," a 20% discount on dine-in bills at over 50 participating restaurants across Mumbai. This offer will be available on November 20th and 21st, 2024, for voters who can show proof of voting.

The initiative comes at a pivotal time, as Chief Election Commissioner Shri Rajiv Kumar has expressed concerns over low voter participation in urban areas and emphasized the importance of involving young voters in the election process. By offering an incentive, the NRAI hopes to motivate residents of Mumbai, particularly younger voters, to cast their ballots and make their voices heard.

Rachel Goenka, Head of the NRAI Mumbai Chapter, highlighted the importance of the initiative, saying, “This initiative by the NRAI aims to inspire our young urban voters to actively engage in the voting process, celebrating our country’s vibrant and robust democratic framework, one of the largest in the world. I extend heartfelt thanks to all the participating brands and restaurants for enthusiastically joining this cause and encouraging young voters to make the most of this unique offer.”

The 20% discount is available to dine-in customers who present a voter ID showing Mumbai residency along with an inked finger as proof of voting. Over 50 well-known restaurants in Mumbai are participating in this drive, including popular spots such as Silver Beach Cafe, Nom Nom Khar, The Sassy Spoon, Bonobo, and The Bombay Canteen. This offer provides voters with an additional incentive to visit their favorite restaurants while contributing to the democratic process.

Participating Restaurants Include:

1. Silver Beach Cafe

2. Nom Nom, Khar

3. Estella

4. Akina

5. The Sassy Spoon

6. Saz Cafe

7. Pings

8. Nksha

9. Tamak

10. Taftoon

11. Lyla

12. EVE - Powai & Worli

13. Donna deli

14. Shy

15. Bonobo

16. Jamjar Diner

17. SOCIAL - All Outlets

18. SMOKE HOUSE DELI - All Outlets

19. ⁠Lord of the Drinks

20. ⁠Not Just TAMASHA

21. ⁠GARNET

22. ⁠FLYING SAUCER

23. ⁠Steps Cafe, Bandra

24. ⁠Great Punjab, Dadar

25. ⁠Pints of Wisdom, BKC

26. ⁠Oh So Silly Khar

27. ⁠Mirchi & Mime, Powai & Thane

28. Madeira & Mime, Powai

29. Zima

30. Shawarma Factory

31. ⁠JOSHH: Indian Eat Street

32. The Clearing House

33. ⁠TAT-Vikhroli

34. ⁠Que Sera Sera-Andheri

35. ⁠Blah ! - BKC and Santacruz outlet

36. Saffron & Soy, Juhu

37. ⁠Lord Of The Drinks, Powai

38. ⁠Farzi Cafe Oberoi

39. ⁠Pa Pa Ya (all outlets)

40. ⁠Mainland China

41. ⁠Asia Kitchen by Mainland China.

42. ⁠Episode.

43. ⁠Bohoba.

44. ⁠Global Grill, Malad.

45. ⁠Gong

46.  Aegyo - Cafe & Bakehouse

47. ⁠The Bombay Canteen

48. ⁠O Pedro

49. ⁠Veronica's

50. ⁠Bombay Sweet Shop

51.  Hakkasan

52.  Yauatcha

53. Nara Thai

54. CinCin

55. Ode

56. Waarsa

With such an extensive list of participating restaurants, the initiative is expected to encourage a large number of people to vote while enjoying a meal out. This drive is part of NRAI’s ongoing efforts to promote social responsibility and community engagement.

About NRAI

Founded in 1982, the National Restaurant Association of India is the primary voice of the Indian restaurant industry, representing over 500,000 restaurants. The NRAI aims to promote and strengthen the food service sector in India, with a broad network that spans across cities and states. The organization supports its members with initiatives that enhance the growth and sustainability of the industry.


Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Reports Rs 13 Crore Net Profit in Q1 FY26

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Reports Rs 13 Crore Net Profit in Q1 FY26

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 18, 2025

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited (ASPHL) announced its financial results for Q1 FY26, recording a net profit of Rs 13 crore. Revenue from operations stood at Rs 154 crore, a 14% increase year-on-year, while operating EBITDA grew 16% YoY to Rs 45 crore. The company maintained an industry-leading occupancy of 92%, reaffirming its leadership in the hospitality sector.

ASPHL’s growth is fueled by expansion into Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. The company recently signed an MoU to acquire and manage four leisure properties in Goa, Manali, Shimla, and Dharamshala, adding 138 rooms under its brand. These steps align with ASPHL’s strategy to broaden its presence in high-potential tourism destinations and double its key count to 5,750 over the next five years.

Flurys, ASPHL’s iconic bakery and confectionery brand, now operates 102 outlets nationwide, reflecting the company’s focus on expanding its market presence while integrating modern amenities with rich cultural heritage.

Commenting on the performance, Vijay Dewan, Managing Director, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, said,

"We have delivered an extraordinary and best-ever Q1, setting a strong momentum for the year ahead. With topline growth of 14% and EBITDA growth of 16%, we recorded India’s highest occupancy of 92% and maintained leadership in RevPAR in the upper-upscale segment. ARR improved by 13% and RevPAR increased by 12%. With nearly 600 new rooms added, including a 41% rise in our asset-light model, and nationwide Flurys rollout, we are poised to scale faster, enhance margins, and deliver exceptional shareholder value."

ASPHL’s strong performance in Q1 FY26 underscores its strategic focus on market expansion, operational excellence, and premium guest experiences.


Marriott Announces Dividend and Expands Share Buyback Plan

Marriott Announces Dividend and Expands Share Buyback Plan

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 10, 2025

Marriott International, Inc. has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 67 cents per share on its common stock, reaffirming its commitment to delivering shareholder value. The dividend will be paid on September 30, 2025, to shareholders who are on record as of August 21, 2025.

Alongside the dividend announcement, the hospitality giant also revealed an expansion of its share repurchase program. The board of directors has authorized the repurchase of an additional 25 million shares of its Class A common stock. This comes in addition to the approximately 7.4 million shares that were still available under previous authorizations as of July 30, 2025.

Marriott has already bought back 6.4 million shares this year, amounting to $1.7 billion. These moves reflect the company’s continued confidence in its financial stability and long-term performance, aiming to strengthen shareholder value through strategic capital allocation.


Chennai Postal Services Still Disrupted: Experts Call for Alternative Systems Amid Software Transition

Chennai Postal Services Still Disrupted: Experts Call for Alternative Systems Amid Software Transition

By Author

Published on August 4, 2025

In what was intended to be a smooth digital transformation, postal services across the Chennai Circle continue to remain disrupted even days after a scheduled upgrade to India Post's new IT 2.0 system. The software transition—part of a broader effort to modernize the nation’s postal network—was implemented on August 2nd and 4th across Chennai North and South divisions. However, officials have now confirmed that technical issues still persist, leaving customers and businesses grappling with delayed or inaccessible services.

Key services such as Speed Post, registered mail, parcel bookings, and money orders have either been significantly slowed or paused altogether in many branches. Despite expectations that systems would normalize post-upgrade, the rollout of the Advanced Postal Technology (APT) system has proven more complex than anticipated.

“We are still working on stabilizing the system. There have been unforeseen glitches post-upgrade, and our teams are actively resolving them,” said a senior postal official who requested anonymity.

The disruption has raised concerns across industries—including the hospitality sector—where timely document dispatch, license renewals, vendor payments, and customer correspondence are crucial to daily operations.

Experts and industry stakeholders are now calling on India Post to introduce alternative operational strategies or backup mechanisms during such large-scale transitions.

“In a digital age where seamless service is non-negotiable, a complete blackout due to a software update is avoidable. A fallback process, whether manual or cloud-based, should be in place to ensure continuity,” said a Chennai-based hospitality consultant.

The hospitality industry relies heavily on postal services for legal documentation, international communication, and procurement logistics. The ongoing delays have caused bottlenecks not just in operations but also in customer experience delivery.

As authorities continue to work toward a resolution, the broader question remains: Should India’s essential public infrastructure be this vulnerable to a single system upgrade? The answer may lie in future-proofing core services with hybrid digital models that include disaster recovery plans and parallel systems.


Hospitalitynews.in will continue to track updates as the situation evolves.

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