Author: Khwaish Hingad
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) Third Wave Coffee, a rapidly expanding specialty coffee brand, has officially launched its presence in Ahmedabad with the opening of two new cafés. The new outlets are strategically located in two of the city’s most dynamic neighborhoods, CG Road and Prahlad Nagar. This launch is a significant milestone in the brand’s national expansion strategy, as it strengthens its footprint in the western market cluster, which already includes Mumbai and Pune, and builds upon its existing outlet at the Ahmedabad airport. Strategic Rationale: Gujarat’s Rising Appetite for Premium Coffee The decision to enter Ahmedabad is driven by…
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, has significantly reinforced its presence in Rajasthan by announcing the signing of a new Gateway hotel in Mahapura, Jaipur. This greenfield project marks a major strategic milestone, bringing IHCL’s total portfolio in the Pink City to an impressive 16 hotels, including five currently under development. The new hotel, named Gateway Mahapura, Jaipur, is a strategic response to the city’s evolving demand profile, which is transitioning from a traditional leisure and MICE hub to a vital commercial center. The development is a result of a partnership between…
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) Radisson Hotel Group has announced a significant expansion of its Radisson Individuals brand, solidifying its position as a highly flexible and attractive soft-brand offering for independent hotels globally. Since its launch in 2020, the brand has demonstrated exceptional growth, reaching a major milestone of over 100 hotels in operation and under development worldwide as of 2025. This success has prompted the Group to extend the brand’s portfolio with the introduction of three new distinct segments, offering even greater strategic distinction and visibility for its affiliated hotels. The Radisson Individuals brand is fundamentally designed to provide independent…
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) Hyatt Delhi Residences has announced the appointment of Ranjana Pal as its new General Manager. A highly distinguished leader within the Hyatt ecosystem, Pal steps into this transformative role bringing with her over two decades of extensive global hospitality experience, spanning key leadership positions across major international brands, including both Hyatt and Marriott International. Her appointment is seen as a strategic move to further strengthen the property’s standing in the luxury extended-stay market, emphasizing operational excellence, cultural transformation, and unparalleled resident experience. A Career Defined by Strategic Acumen and People-Centric Leadership Ranjana Pal is recognized as…
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) In a bold move reshaping the landscape of professional foodservice technology, the UNOX Group, a global leader in intelligent professional ovens, has announced the acquisition of 100% of Roboqbo SRL. This strategic takeover is designed to aggressively accelerate UNOX’s global push toward creating fully automated, end-to-end professional kitchen ecosystems, moving far beyond its current core competency in cooking appliances. Roboqbo, founded in 1978 in Bentivoglio, Italy, is renowned for its flagship Qbo Universal Processing System, a technology that has brought industrial automation capabilities into the professional kitchen setting. By integrating Roboqbo’s advanced robotic processing systems—which are…
B Swaminathan (editorial1@imaws.org) The self-service kiosk industry is witnessing an explosive, albeit relatively nascent, growth phase in India, with the market expected to expand at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) well over 11% through 2030. While globally established, the adoption of these interactive terminals—including self-checkout and self-ordering systems—is now accelerating across Indian retail, Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs), and hospitality. Mr. Sagar Deshmukh, Director of Kusters India Engineering, a leading developer of software for online kiosk ordering, discusses the nascent but rapidly growing adoption of self-service kiosks in the Indian retail and food service sectors. Q: In your view, how…
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) In a significant expansion of his creative and entrepreneurial portfolio, multi-platinum rapper, singer-songwriter, and record producer Badshah has officially entered the spirits industry. He has co-created and launched Shelter 6, a new vodka brand, in collaboration with Cartel Bros, the innovators behind successful whisky labels like The Glenwalk (with Sanjay Dutt) and The GlenJourneys (with Ajay Devgn). This venture is positioned to challenge and redefine the premium vodka landscape in India, blending high-quality craftsmanship with cultural energy and modern attitude. Product Identity and Vision: A Shelter for the Free-Spirited The name Shelter 6 embodies more than…
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru has announced the appointment of Kartik Raol as its new Director of Rooms. Raol brings nearly two decades of diverse global hospitality experience, with a career deeply rooted in the Four Seasons philosophy of intuitive luxury and people-centric service. His leadership is expected to be instrumental in shaping the next chapter of the hotel’s guest experience, particularly through elevated service standards and robust team development. A Career Forged in Global Luxury Hospitality Kartik Raol is an alumnus of the prestigious Glion Institute of Higher Education, Switzerland. His professional journey in luxury hospitality…
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) In a significant move aimed at empowering India’s vast gig economy, food and grocery delivery major Swiggy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with leading higher education technology platform upGrad. This strategic partnership is designed to provide formal upskilling opportunities and credible career pathways to Swiggy’s extensive network of 6.9 lakh delivery partners across the country. The collaboration goes beyond mere corporate social responsibility; it is built on a shared vision to recognize the last-mile workforce as a critical component of India’s formal skilling revolution. By making quality, job-relevant learning accessible at scale, the initiative…
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) In a market often saturated with conventional snacking options, SuperYou, the functional protein brand co-founded by Bollywood star and entrepreneur Ranveer Singh and business strategist Nikunj Biyani, has celebrated a landmark debut year. Launched in November 2024, the company has not just entered the “better-for-you” food category but has established itself as a category leader, announcing that it has crossed a staggering ₹150 crore in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) within its first 12 months of operation. This financial milestone represents a breakthrough moment for the celebrity-backed venture, signaling a significant shift in consumer preferences toward health-conscious…