Author: Khwaish Jain

-IANS In a significant move toward fiscal discipline, the Government of Rajasthan has issued a strict circular banning all state departments, boards, and corporations from organizing official events, workshops, or seminars in luxury hotels and private venues. The directive, issued by the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan, Sudhansh Pant, emphasizes the mandatory use of existing government infrastructure for all administrative gatherings. The circular aims to curb “unnecessary expenditure” and promote an atmosphere of austerity within the state machinery. This policy shift is expected to have a direct impact on the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) business for private hoteliers in…

-PTI Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, one of India’s leading hospitality chains, has unveiled an aggressive five-year expansion roadmap aimed at doubling its current portfolio. CEO Ajay Bakaya announced that the group is eyeing a milestone of 400 hotels within the next five years, a move expected to generate approximately 10,000 new employment opportunities in the sector. The expansion strategy is primarily driven by the “Asset-Light” model, focusing on management contracts that allow the brand to scale rapidly across diverse geographies. While India remains the core market, Sarovar is also looking to deepen its presence in Africa, where it already operates…

-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) The hospitality industry in Mysuru has expressed strong support for the recent amendments introduced by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The new rules, which transition food licenses from a renewal-based system to a lifetime validity model, are being hailed as a major step toward enhancing the “Ease of Doing Business” in the sector. Previously, hoteliers and food business operators (FBOs) were required to renew their licenses every one to five years, a process often cited as administratively cumbersome. Under the amended regulations, a license will remain valid for the lifetime of the…

-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…