To suit the Indian palate, Burger King had introduced nearly six vegetarian snacks when it opened shop in India last year.
When Burger King entered the Indian market, it introduced a special vegetarian menu to suit the Indian palate. The burger chain is now keen on introducing this menu in other vegetarian-friendly markets like the UK.
When it opened stop in India in November 2014, Burger King India offered nearly six vegetarian snacks, including entry-level burgers, sandwiches and side snacks on its menu.
"Looking at the response here, the global management is evaluating introducing some of these options going forward to other vegetarian-friendly markets like the UK," Raj Varman, chief executive officer of Burger King India said.
Private equity firm Everstone Capital, which is the master franchisee for Burger King here, has full control over the menu, and they built a product line to suit the Indian market which was different from the standard menu, Varman said.
"In India, we locally developed vegetarian offerings to suit the market," he said. The fast-food chain is also expecting to start delivery services 'shortly', he said.
Since its launch last year, the chain has opened 18 restaurants in Delhi (NCR), Mumbai and Chandigarh. It is now looking at a strong foray into the south, starting with Bengaluru, where it will open six outlets over the next two months, Varman said. The restaurant chain's strategy is to open outlets across malls and food courts, and invests between Rs 1.75 crore to Rs 2.5 crore to set up each outlet.
Burger King India is keen to ride on the wave of rising incomes in the country and is eyeing growth in tier-II and tier-III cities as well. "The QSR (quick service restaurant) format is doing very well in India, and with rising disposable incomes, we will definitely open outlets across the country, wherever we see a good potential," he said.
Industry estimates peg the QSR segment in the country to grow from about $15 billion to $50 billion in the next five years.
At present, organised players account for just under $1 billion, according to food industry estimates.
Burger King, which was a late entrant into the crowded organised fast-food market here, competes with the likes of McDonald's, KFC and Subway.
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