-NewsDesk(cbedit@imaws.org)
India’s rapidly growing fine dining chain, VRO Hospitality, Safdhar Adoor, the Founder and Director of Swiggy SteppinOut, has assumed the role of Co-Founder and Director at VRO Hospitality. The appointment comes as VRO Hospitality pursues an ambitious expansion strategy to establish a pan-India presence.
Safdhar Adoor brings a wealth of experience to his new role, with over a decade of expertise in the Food and Beverage (F&B) industry. His entrepreneurial journey began in 2014 when he co-founded SteppinOut, one of India’s largest event management companies. Remarkably, SteppinOut saw successful acquisitions twice within two years, first by Dineout, a division of Times Internet in 2020, and later by Swiggy in 2022.
For Safdhar, this transition marks a homecoming of sorts, as he initially co-founded VRO Hospitality in 2018 with friends Dawn Thomas and Sharath Rice before venturing into SteppinOut in 2020.
Dawn Thomas, CEO & Co-Founder of VRO Hospitality, expressed enthusiasm about Safdhar’s return to the group. She stated, “We are delighted to have Safdhar in the fold at a critical juncture for VRO Hospitality. We are in the middle of an aggressive expansion plan across key markets of the country aimed at growth and profitability. Being an integral part of VRO Hospitality, Safdhar’s addition to the leadership will provide us with strategic guidance towards that direction.”
Sharath Rice, Director and Co-Founder of VRO Hospitality echoed this excitement, saying, “We are extremely excited to have Safdhar back in VRO. His role as a key strategic thinker will bolster our growth roadmap as we move into newer markets with our aggressive expansion plan.”
In his new capacity, Safdhar Adoor will assume responsibilities for steering VRO’s growth strategy, overseeing the group’s operations and marketing, and playing a pivotal role in the development of new brands and concepts for VRO.
Safdhar expressed his excitement about returning to VRO Hospitality at this juncture, stating, “I am extremely excited to be back in VRO Hospitality at a time when the group is looking at an exciting phase ahead. Leading the group’s journey on the road to growth and profitability will be an exciting task for me as we explore new markets and newer revenue models.”
VRO Hospitality currently owns upscale lounges and restaurants in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Goa, Kochi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Ooty. Their portfolio includes brands such as Badmaash Lounge, Mirage, Plan B, Taki Taki, and Cafe Noir. VRO is actively pursuing national and international expansion, with brands like Badmaash, Cafe Noir, and Taki Taki spearheading the group’s expansion into uncharted territories.
With nine brands and over 40 outlets across multiple cities, VRO Hospitality has established a diverse range of premium brands, each meticulously crafted to offer a unique and immersive experience in terms of food, beverages, ambiance, events, and overall hospitality.
Safdhar Adoor’s return to VRO Hospitality comes at a crucial juncture for the group, as it strives to make a mark on the Indian and international F&B landscape through innovation, expansion, and exceptional customer experiences.
