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.


Coffee Sutra Enters Delhi with NOD Collaboration

Coffee Sutra Enters Delhi with NOD Collaboration

By Hariharan U

Published on April 24, 2026

Marking its entry into the capital, Coffee Sutra has partnered with NOD Punjabi Bagh in a move that redefines how beverages integrate into the dining experience. As part of the collaboration, Coffee Sutra takes over NOD’s entire beverage program as its official partner.

Founded by Dushyant Singh, the Jaipur-based brand brings its specialty coffee expertise to Delhi, marking its first major step beyond its home city. The partnership reflects a shared vision between both brands to create a dining experience where food and beverages complement each other seamlessly rather than exist as separate elements.

At NOD, Coffee Sutra curates a diverse beverage menu that extends beyond coffee. Guests can expect specialty brews made from ethically sourced, single-origin beans, alongside a selection of shakes, smoothies, and handcrafted mocktails. Each offering is designed to pair thoughtfully with the restaurant’s globally inspired cuisine, enhancing the overall guest experience.

Dushyant Singh shared that Delhi’s dynamic food culture makes it an ideal market for the brand’s expansion. He emphasized that every aspect—from sourcing beans to the final pour, is crafted with intent, ensuring a meaningful experience for guests.

Beyond menu creation, Coffee Sutra manages the complete beverage operations at NOD, including barista training, daily execution, and equipment maintenance. This end-to-end involvement highlights the brand’s focus on consistency and quality across all touchpoints.

With over 15 years of industry experience, Coffee Sutra has built strong sourcing networks with farmers in India and globally. The brand operates its own roastery and Coffee Lab in Jaipur, while also offering workshops, brewing masterclasses, and barista training. Its growing footprint includes five cafés in Jaipur and partnerships with over 40 establishments across India, including global hospitality names.

This collaboration signals a significant step in Coffee Sutra’s national expansion, bringing its curated and experience-led approach to Delhi’s evolving café and dining scene.


Rumour Brings Speakeasy-Style Nights to Vasant Vihar

Rumour Brings Speakeasy-Style Nights to Vasant Vihar

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 24, 2026

Delhi’s nightlife has a new address with the opening of Rumour, a speakeasy-style lounge in Vasant Vihar that brings together curated drinks, music, and a lively social setting. Designed to offer a fresh take on after-work and late-night outings, the space draws inspiration from New York’s intimate wine and cocktail bars.

Rumour is built around the idea of easy, enjoyable social experiences. Created by founder Rhea Parekh Jain and co-founder Nishchay Jain, the lounge aims to be a go-to spot where guests can simply walk in and unwind. “We wanted to build a place that feels like your go-to spot where you don’t overthink plans, you just show up and know you’ll have a good time,” says Rhea Parekh Jain - founder and Nishchay Jain - co-founder. “Rumour is about energy, great wines, familiar drinks, and nights that never go exactly as planned in the best way. It’s the kind of place where one drink becomes three, and you leave with a few good rumours to take home.”

The interiors, designed by Sussanne Khan’s The Charcoal Project, reflect a mix of quirky luxury and raw New York loft aesthetics. From a hidden entrance to warm lighting and layered textures, every detail adds to the intimate and energetic feel of the space. With seating for around 45 guests, Rumour offers a mix of cosy corners, group seating areas, and a balcony that overlooks the main lounge, making it suitable for both small gatherings and larger groups.

At the heart of the experience is wine, with a strong focus on tastings and curated selections. The cocktail menu complements this approach, with nearly half of the drinks built around wine-based creations. The food menu features shareable plates that are designed to pair well with the beverages, adding to the overall experience.

Rumour is aimed at urban professionals, creatives, and those looking for a well-curated nightlife spot. The speakeasy concept adds a sense of exclusivity, while the overall vibe keeps it social and engaging. Open from Wednesday to Monday, between 6:00 PM and 1:00 AM, the lounge offers a perfect setting for after-work meetups, date nights, and late-evening gatherings.

Located at 12, Basant Lok, 1st Floor, Priya Market, Vasant Vihar, Rumour adds a new dimension to Delhi’s evolving nightlife scene. With plans to introduce more concepts in the future, the brand is focused on creating spaces that bring together design, atmosphere, and memorable social experiences.


Burger King & Coca-Cola Roll Out ‘Feast on Wheels

Burger King & Coca-Cola Roll Out ‘Feast on Wheels

By Hariharan U

Published on April 23, 2026

In a move aimed at capturing India’s youth-driven consumption moments, Coca-Cola India and Burger King India have announced a strategic, long-term partnership with the launch of ‘Feast on Wheels.’

The initiative introduces a first-of-its-kind mobile food truck format, designed to bring curated Burger King meals paired with Coca-Cola directly to college campuses. Built around affordability, accessibility, and immersive experiences, the platform aims to meet Gen Z consumers in their natural social environments.

The concept was unveiled on April 15, 2026, at Lovely Professional University during its inter-college festival. The activation transformed the campus into a lively brand hub, featuring a fully branded food truck serving Whopper meal combos paired with Coca-Cola at student-friendly pricing.

Beyond food, the experience leaned into youth culture with live music, DJ sets, gaming zones like tic-tac-toe and ping pong, interactive brand installations, and dedicated content creation spaces to encourage organic sharing among students.

Abhishek Gupta, Vice President, Customer Development at Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia, highlighted the strategy behind the move, stating that youth consumption today is spontaneous and social. He noted that the partnership brings a proven meal pairing into environments where such moments naturally occur, making the experience more accessible and engaging.

Kapil Grover, Chief Marketing Officer at Burger King India, emphasized the importance of cultural relevance, sharing that college campuses are where trends and energy thrive. He added that the initiative goes beyond food, helping the brand build deeper and more meaningful connections with young consumers.

By combining Coca-Cola’s global food pairing strategy with Burger King’s youth-first engagement approach, ‘Feast on Wheels’ is positioned as a scalable platform aimed at driving high-frequency consumption and long-term brand recall across India’s Gen Z landscape.

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