Serving Success: ITC's Cloud Kitchen Sets a New Culinary Standard

Serving Success: ITC's Cloud Kitchen Sets a New Culinary Standard

By Author

Published on January 3, 2024

ITC, a name synonymous with diverse business ventures, is set to elevate its presence in the food-tech industry by expanding its cloud kitchen business. This innovative move comes as the conglomerate identifies food-tech as a key growth vector. Currently operating in Bengaluru and Chennai, ITC's cloud kitchens have become a preferred choice for North Indian daily and gourmet cuisines, as well as bakery products.

The company's foray into the cloud kitchen landscape is marked by three distinct brands: ITC Aashirvaad Soul Creations for daily comfort food, ITC Master Chef Creations for gourmet delights, and ITC Sunfeast Baked Creations for bakery treats. With 19 cloud kitchens in Bengaluru and four in Chennai, ITC has already achieved the milestone of breaking even in these locations.

Hemant Malik, Executive Director at ITC, shares insights into the success of the venture, citing a winning formula that includes established brands, cuisine expertise from ITC Hotels' chefs, and the backing of the packaged foods business. "The tech-learning needed for the business comes from our focus on digitalization," adds Malik.

The business model involves the establishment of a central kitchen and satellite kitchens in cities where ITC operates. This strategic layout aligns with the preferences of food delivery giants like Swiggy and Zomato, who prefer kitchens every 2.5-3 km. ITC aims to replicate its success in Bengaluru by becoming a market leader in the premium space in other cities.

"We are already the market leader in Bengaluru in the premium space within two years of operation and will now scale up in other cities," says Malik. The cloud kitchen central kitchen in Bengaluru has the capability to service both Chennai and Hyderabad, showcasing ITC's commitment to operational efficiency.

Going beyond its current offerings, ITC plans to diversify its cloud kitchen menu by evaluating the addition of breakfast and oriental cuisines. Malik emphasises the company's strategy to introduce new cuisines and meals alongside expanding its presence in metro cities.

Noteworthy is the fact that ITC's cloud kitchens boast an average order value of Rs 900, double that of the industry average. The key differentiators from ITC Hotels' kitchens include a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) compared to 18% for hotel restaurants, and a focus on quick service.

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In an investor presentation, ITC highlighted the institutional synergies between its cloud kitchen business and other segments, such as packaging solutions, digital-first approaches, and culinary expertise. With over one million orders already delivered, ITC aims to capitalise on the 10% market share occupied by cloud kitchens in the food delivery platform landscape.

However, the presentation also acknowledged challenges, particularly the scalability issues associated with North Indian cuisine due to its dependency on chef skills and the lack of standardisation. Nevertheless, ITC's strategic approach and commitment to innovation position it as a formidable player in the evolving landscape of the food-tech industry.


Quattro Opens Second Mumbai Restaurant at Sky City Mall, Borivali

Quattro Opens Second Mumbai Restaurant at Sky City Mall, Borivali

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 31, 2026

Quattro has opened its second restaurant in Mumbai at Sky City Mall, Borivali, bringing its premium pure-vegetarian Italian and Mexican cuisine to the western suburbs. The opening marks 15 years of the brand's culinary journey and introduces a refreshed dining experience with redesigned interiors and an enhanced menu.

The new restaurant offers 66 indoor seats and 43 outdoor seats on a terrace overlooking the surrounding area. Designed to complement the mall's contemporary setting, the space features abundant natural light and striking interiors, creating an inviting atmosphere for family meals, social gatherings and special occasions.

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The addition further strengthens Sky City Mall's food and beverage offering, giving visitors another dining option alongside its retail and lifestyle experiences. Located in Borivali, the mall caters to residents and visitors across Mumbai's western suburbs, including those looking for vegetarian dining options.

For Quattro, the opening marks a new phase of growth as it builds on the success of its Lower Parel restaurant. The brand has reworked its identity, interiors and menu while continuing to focus on authentic Italian and Mexican flavours, quality ingredients and consistency.

Speaking about the launch, Aditya Gupta and Anuj Gupta, Founders of Gupta Brands, said, “Quattro was born from the idea to give an authentic Italian and Mexican premium dining experience to the guest. We didn’t want to give the same Indianized version of the cuisines to guests. We spent months sourcing ingredients like tomatoes from Italy, chillis from Mexico and then subsequent months of trials to get a unique dining experience that did justice to the cuisines. We went to great lengths to source our cheese without animal rennet. Chocolate was sourced from Belgium to give it the rich deep flavours of real chocolate in our desserts.

“With the success of Lower Parel, we are excited to bring the brand to Borivali. After 15 years of the brand, we have spent months redesigning and reimaging the brand, to bring a completely new dining experience for the guests, whilst retaining the same brand values and quality. We hope to become a restaurant that guests think of not just for celebrations, but for everyday dining with family and friends.”

Tanu Prasad, CEO – Malls, Oberoi Realty, said, “At Sky City Mall, our vision is to create a vibrant destination that brings together retail, dining and lifestyle experiences for the community. The arrival of Quattro further strengthens our evolving food and beverage offering, bringing its distinctive take on Italian and Mexican vegetarian cuisine to our rooftop, which is emerging as a lively destination for dining and social experiences. We look forward to welcoming Quattro and giving visitors yet another reason to make Sky City Mall a destination for dining, socialising and spending quality time with family and friends.”

The launch reflects Sky City Mall's continued focus on expanding its dining options and creating spaces where visitors can shop, dine and spend time with family and friends.

Following the opening in Borivali, Quattro is preparing for further expansion, building on its 15-year journey and the response to its Lower Parel restaurant.


Kura Bengaluru Adds a Halloween Twist with Its 'Halloween After Dark' Menu

Kura Bengaluru Adds a Halloween Twist with Its 'Halloween After Dark' Menu

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 30, 2026

Halloween gets a darker and sweeter twist at Kura, the specialty coffee and all-day dining space on Double Road, Indiranagar, Bengaluru. The café has introduced 'Halloween After Dark', a limited-edition dessert and bakes menu that brings the season's playful and mysterious side to the table.

Built around the tagline Not Everything Sweet Is Innocent, the menu has been created by Kura's culinary team, combining bold colours, interesting flavours and creative presentation. The collection features three special creations that give familiar treats a Halloween-inspired makeover.

The first offering, The Black Magic Apple, brings a dark twist to the classic fruit, with a presentation designed to tempt dessert lovers. Bloody Velvet puts a Halloween spin on red velvet with its rich flavour and creamy texture, while Devil's Double Croissants adds a playful touch to the menu with its striking red-and-black theme. Each creation reflects the fun and slightly wicked spirit of Halloween while staying true to Kura's style.

The limited-edition menu will be available at Kura until 31st October, giving guests a chance to try the seasonal creations before they disappear. The Halloween specials will be served alongside the café's regular menu, which will continue as usual.

With its mix of creative desserts, distinctive presentation and seasonal flavours, Halloween After Dark offers Bengaluru's dessert lovers another way to enjoy the Halloween season.

Quick Facts

  • Address: Craig Park Layout, 26, Stage 3, Double Road, Indiranagar, Bengaluru
  • Timings: 8:00 am to 11:00 pm (Monday–Sunday)
  • Menu Availability: Until 31st October.


Barista Coffee Opens Its 555th Café in Salt Lake, Kolkata

Barista Coffee Opens Its 555th Café in Salt Lake, Kolkata

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 30, 2026

Barista Coffee, the largest homegrown coffee chain, has opened its 555th café in Salt Lake, Kolkata, marking its seventh outlet in the city. The new café introduces a hybrid format that brings together food, beverages and flexible spaces for work, meetings and socialising.

The outlet offers more than the usual café experience, with a setting where customers can enjoy their favourite coffee, have a meal, work remotely or catch up with friends. The concept reflects the changing role of cafés, which are increasingly becoming spaces for both social interactions and professional activities.

The beverage menu includes Barista's signature drinks, protein coffee, matcha and bubble tea. On the food front, customers can choose from gourmet sandwiches, pizzas, pasta, rolls and English breakfast options. The varied menu caters to different preferences, whether customers are stopping by for a quick coffee, planning a casual meal or spending time at the café.

The new outlet also provides an alternative workspace for work-from-home professionals, along with a setting for groups to meet for collaborative sessions or casual conversations. By combining food, work and community in one place, Barista Coffee aims to cater to customers looking for more flexibility in how they spend their time at cafés.

Commenting on the milestone, Rajat Agrawal, CEO, Barista Coffee, said, “Reaching the milestone of 555 cafés is a proud moment for Barista Coffee and a testament to the trust our customers have placed in us, the dedication of our teams, and the commitment of our partners. Every café represents our promise to deliver memorable coffee experiences, meaningful connections, and warm hospitality.

As we continue to expand our presence, our focus remains on strengthening our brand, innovating our offerings, and making Barista a preferred destination for coffee lovers across India and beyond. This milestone is not just a celebration of how far we have come, but also a reflection of our ambition to reach new markets, create more opportunities, and bring people together over great coffee.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our customers, employees, franchise partners, and stakeholders who have been an integral part of this journey. At Barista, every cup tells a story, and with 555 cafés, we look forward to brewing many more stories together.”

The opening marks another step in Barista Coffee's expansion, as the brand continues to grow its presence while exploring café formats that bring together coffee, food and everyday customer needs.

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