Restaurant Brands Asia Ltd. (RBA), the master franchisee of Burger King in India, has strengthened its association with the Indian Army by extending its partnership with the Army Central Welfare Fund (ACWF) and creating career opportunities for retired Army professionals through the Army Welfare Placement Organisation (AWPO).

The partnership with ACWF, which began on Republic Day 2026, received a strong response and enabled RBA to contribute more than ₹20 lakh towards the welfare fund. Following the response to the initiative, the company has decided to continue its support as an ongoing tradition, marking the partnership around two significant national occasions.

The initiative will continue on Independence Day, 15 August 2026, and Republic Day, 26 January 2027, further strengthening RBA's engagement with the armed forces community.

Expanding the initiative beyond financial support, RBA has also partnered with AWPO to create employment opportunities for retired Army professionals within its organisation. As part of the collaboration, four retired Army professionals joined RBA's Burger King India operations from 21 July 2026.

The initiative is aimed at providing veterans with opportunities to transition their professional experience and leadership capabilities into the retail and hospitality sector, while creating structured career pathways within RBA.

Commenting on the initiative, Rajeev Varman, Group CEO and Whole-time Director, Restaurant Brands Asia, said the company was proud to partner with both ACWF and AWPO and aimed to make a meaningful contribution to the country's armed forces community and their families.

Namrata Tiwari, Group Chief People Officer, Restaurant Brands Asia, highlighted the company's focus on creating long-term opportunities for those who have served the nation. She said the collaboration with AWPO reflects RBA's commitment to welcoming and integrating retired Army professionals into its workforce.

Major General Ajay Singh Chauhan, Shaurya Chakra, Sena Medal, MD, AWPO, said the partnership with Burger King represents another step towards empowering veterans, widows and wards through meaningful employment. He highlighted the professional competence, dedication and integrity that personnel bring to customer service and operations, adding that the collaboration creates structured career pathways into the retail and hospitality ecosystem.

The initiative reflects a broader approach to supporting the armed forces community through both welfare contributions and employment opportunities, while enabling veterans to continue their professional journeys after military service.

Key Highlights

• RBA's ACWF partnership began on Republic Day 2026.
• More than ₹20 lakh has been contributed to the fund.
• The partnership will continue through Republic Day 2027.
• RBA has partnered with AWPO for veteran employment.
• Four retired Army professionals joined Burger King India from 21 July 2026.
• The initiative creates career pathways for veterans in the retail and hospitality sector. 

PizzaExpress, the UK-based pizza and casual dining brand, has opened its newest restaurant at World St. at 5 Worldmark, Aerocity, New Delhi, marking its 38th outlet in India.

Located within one of Delhi's prominent business, hospitality and lifestyle destinations, the new restaurant brings PizzaExpress' signature handcrafted pizzas, relaxed dining experience and warm hospitality to a growing community of professionals, travellers and diners in Aerocity.

Designed as a contemporary and relaxed dining space, the restaurant offers a selection of PizzaExpress classics alongside seasonal offerings. The menu includes the brand's popular Dough Balls, gourmet pizzas starting at INR 495 for two, summer specials, salads, appetisers, pastas and desserts, including Tiramisu and Baked Vanilla Cheesecake.

The restaurant also features PizzaExpress' Romana pizzas, known for their larger, thinner and crispier bases inspired by the pizzas of Rome.

Reflecting the brand's "Only For Everyone" philosophy, the menu caters to a variety of preferences and occasions. Options include the Piccolo menu for children, Leggera range for lighter choices and Soho Bowls for wholesome meals. Guests can also choose from a selection of mocktails and signature desserts.

Speaking on the launch, Ramit Bharti Mittal, Founder & Director, Gourmet Investments Hospitality Group (GIHG), said, “5 Worldmark at Aerocity is one of Delhi's most exciting and relaxed dining spaces, bringing together travellers, young professionals and consumers who actively seek quality dining experiences. PizzaExpress fits naturally into this environment because the brand has always stood for great food served in a relaxed, welcoming setting.”

Rohan Pewekar, CEO, Gourmet Investments Hospitality Group (GIHG), added, “The launch of our 38th PizzaExpress restaurant in India is in line with our steady growth and long-term commitment in India. 5 Worldmark at Aerocity continues to evolve as a premium lifestyle and food destination, making it an important location for us strategically.”

SK Sayal, MD & CEO, Bharti Real Estate, said, “We're delighted to welcome PizzaExpress to World St. at 5 Worldmark, Aerocity. Good food has a unique way of bringing people together, and that's exactly the kind of experience we want to create at World St.”

The culinary offering is built around PizzaExpress' focus on fresh ingredients and handcrafted preparation. Each pizza is made with freshly prepared dough and the brand's signature tomato passata, produced using San Marzano tomatoes sourced from Parma, Italy.

Among the menu highlights is the Calabrese pizza, created by Michelin-starred chef Francesco Mazzei and inspired by the bold flavours of Southern Italy.

The new outlet also features contemporary interiors, comfortable seating and PizzaExpress' signature open kitchen, allowing diners to watch pizzaiolos prepare and bake pizzas in real time. The space is designed for business lunches, casual meals, family dining and evening gatherings.

PizzaExpress opened its first restaurant on London's Wardour Street in 1965 and has since grown to more than 330 restaurants in the UK, with a presence across 13 countries. In India, the brand currently operates 38 restaurants across markets including Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Pune, Punjab, Lucknow and Hyderabad.

Restaurant Details

Address: Unit No. W11, Ground Floor, World St. 5 Worldmark, Aerocity, Near Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi – 110037

Crossway Hotels & Resorts has opened the doors to Petit Palais by Crossway, a boutique hotel located in the heart of White Town, Pondicherry. Set on the iconic Suffren Street, the property is housed in a restored French Colonial heritage building that brings together old-world charm and modern comforts.

The 15-room hotel has been designed around the character of French architecture, with each classic room featuring intricate details and vintage-inspired elements. The interiors aim to offer guests a calm and refined stay while retaining the property's heritage character.

Guests can also enjoy in-room amenities including freshly ground coffee, a selection of dark and green leaf teas, French press coffee makers and tea brewing sets, offering a relaxed way to begin the day.

The property features a rooftop restaurant and bar serving a mix of global and local favourites. Located overlooking the pool, the space also offers views of the ocean and the Pondicherry coastline, creating a setting for relaxed meals and evening gatherings.

For those looking for something sweet, La Boulangerie at Petit Palais offers artisanal desserts, freshly baked breads and premium coffees in an inviting setting.

The hotel's location also puts guests within walking distance of the beach and close to several of Pondicherry's popular tourist attractions. This makes the property suitable for travellers looking to combine a leisure stay with cultural exploration.

Speaking on the launch, Yangya Prakash Chandran, CEO & Founder, Crossway Hotels & Resorts, said, “Petit Palais by Crossway is a celebration of Pondicherry’s rich French heritage, reimagined for the modern traveller. At Crossway, our vision has always been to create distinctive hospitality experiences, and this property reflects our commitment to blending heritage, design, and comfort in a way that feels both authentic and contemporary.”

Karuna Sesh, owner, Petit Palais, added, “Petit Palais is a labour of love, inspired by the timeless charm of French Colonial architecture and the unique spirit of White Town. Every element, from the rooms to the culinary experiences, has been thoughtfully curated to offer guests a warm, intimate, and memorable stay. We are delighted to open our doors and welcome travellers from across the world.”

With its restored heritage setting, curated dining experiences and location in White Town, Petit Palais by Crossway aims to offer travellers a stay that combines Pondicherry's French heritage with contemporary hospitality.