Author: Edit Team

-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) The city’s vibrant culinary landscape has gained a new landmark as Mai Mai officially opened its second outlet on the iconic MG Road. This expansion follows the significant success of its flagship location in Indiranagar, reinforcing the brand’s position as a rising favorite in Bengaluru’s competitive Pan-Asian dining sector. The new MG Road “chapter” is designed to cater to both the bustling afternoon corporate crowd and the city’s high-energy nightlife. The space blends contemporary Asian aesthetics with an immersive “fun-dining” atmosphere, featuring a menu that balances traditional flavors with modern culinary techniques. Key Highlights of the…

-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) In one of the largest expansion deals in the Indian hospitality sector, Hilton has signed a strategic licensing agreement with Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd (ROHL) to develop 125 Hampton by Hilton properties across the country. This partnership is set to “supercharge” Hilton’s presence in India, specifically targeting the high-growth mid-scale segment. The agreement focuses on capitalising on the domestic travel boom in secondary and tertiary markets, where there is an increasing demand for international-standard branded accommodation. Royal Orchid Hotels, with its deep regional expertise and established development pipeline, will act as the key partner in identifying…

-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) In a significant move to enhance the “on-track” passenger experience, AI-based travel platform Ixigo has announced a strategic partnership with food-delivery giant Swiggy. This collaboration integrates Swiggy’s specialized ‘Food on Track’ service directly into the Ixigo trains app, allowing travelers to pre-order and receive meals at their seats during scheduled station halts. The partnership aims to solve a long-standing pain point for Indian railway passengers: the limited variety and inconsistent quality of pantry-car or station-side food. By leveraging Swiggy’s extensive network of partner restaurants, Ixigo users can now choose from a wide array of cuisines ranging…

-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) Burger Singh, India’s largest homegrown burger chain, has announced the successful closure of its Series B funding round, raising ₹82 crore ($9.9 million approx.). The round was led by Artal Asia Pte Ltd and saw strong participation from a consortium of new and existing investors, including Negen Undiscovered Value Fund and Aurum Rising India Fund. This fresh capital infusion brings the company’s post-money valuation to approximately ₹520 crore, which is an important turning pointin its journey to disrupt the international-dominated QSR landscape in India. Strategic Utilization of Funds: Unlike traditional expansion models that rely heavily…

-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) Satchmo Foods, a diversified food company offering high-quality packaged foods, snacks, and ready-to-cook/eat favourites, today announced the launch of its new Ready-to-Cook range, aimed at providing fresh, homemade-tasting staples at scale while maintaining hygiene, quality, and affordability. The launch addresses a key consumer challenge, as many people struggle to access fresh, homemade-quality food without investing considerable time in preparation or turning to overpriced or overly processed alternatives. Satchmo Foods bridges this gap by offering products that combine homemade taste, consistent quality, clean ingredients, and affordability, catering to both B2B and planned B2C consumers. The newly launched…

– B Swaminathan | IMAWS (swami@imaws.org) Vadodara — The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) Vadodara Chapter has launched a comprehensive membership expansion drive aimed at integrating the city’s rapidly diversifying food service industry into the organized sector. This initiative seeks to transition the local industry from informal networking toward a professionalized corporate structure, specifically targeting the surge of new cafes, cloud kitchens, and international culinary formats entering the market. Strategic Growth and Market Diversification The expansion of the Vadodara Chapter reflects a broader shift in the regional economy, where traditional manufacturing families are increasingly diversifying capital into the hospitality…

-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) The Indian snacks market is on a high-growth trajectory, projected to expand at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13% over the next five years. According to a recent industry report, this growth significantly outpaces the general packaged food segment, which is growing at a more modest 8-9%. The shift is attributed to a fundamental change in Indian eating habits, where “snackification”—the replacement of traditional large meals with smaller, frequent snacks—is becoming the urban norm. Key Drivers of the Snacking Boom: Hyper-Regionalization: National players are increasingly acquiring or launching regional “ethnic” snack lines (such as…

-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) In a monumental achievement for the global dairy industry, the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), the apex body of the Amul brand, has announced that its total group brand turnover has crossed the ₹1 Lakh Crore (US$ 12 Billion) mark for the 2025-26 financial year. This represents a robust 11% growth over the previous fiscal year, solidifying Amul’s position as one of the world’s largest and most successful dairy cooperatives. The announcement was made during the Federation’s annual review, highlighting a year characterized by record procurement and an aggressive push into non-dairy segments. The ₹1…

-KH News desk (editorial1@imaws.org) Planet Hotels & Resorts has announced a comprehensive strategic roadmap to expand its footprint in the Indian subcontinent, unveiling a robust pipeline of upcoming properties. This “structured development” phase is designed to establish the brand as a key player in India’s rapidly evolving mid-scale and upscale hospitality segments, specifically focusing on underserved regional markets. The expansion strategy moves beyond primary metros, identifying high-growth corridors in Tier-II and Tier-III cities where infrastructure development and rising disposable incomes have created a gap for quality branded accommodation. Key Pillars of the Expansion Strategy: Regional Diversification: The group is targeting…

-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) has reported a significant surge in its Rural Homestay Initiative, with the program receiving an enthusiastic response from both local homeowners and domestic travelers. Aimed at promoting “Community-Based Tourism,” the project has successfully integrated over 100 villages across the state into a formal network of authentic, rural hospitality. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to decentralize tourism from traditional hubs like Khajuraho and Kanha, directing travelers toward the “heart of India” through immersive stays in tribal and agrarian communities. Key Highlights of the Rural Homestay Project: Economic Empowerment:…