Vishal concocts restaurant chain

Will serve an expansive platter of vegetarian, South Indian delicacies

KOLKATA: Vishal Retail is giving food a serious thought. The retail giant is said to be bracing up for a restaurant chain, either of a standalone format or sit-down ones within its convenios depending on the availability of real estate.

Ritesh Rathi, chief operating officer (COO), Vishal Retail, said, “We are evaluating the proposal. We have hired a few professionals and are in the process of building up a team.”

Sources said Vishal Retail is not planning any tie-ups for the venture. The company, instead will be going it alone and is said to be evaluating various options for its format.  Buzz is that the company is planning an expansive menu with 10-15 vegetarian items as well as south Indian platters.

Though there are no official figures on the size of the restaurants market in India, many companies have made an entry into this sector. Recently, Dabur’s Amit Burman-promoted Lite Bite Foods entered into a strategic alliance with EatOut, part of Spain’s leading business house Agrolimen, for setting up a chain of speciality restaurants in India. According to reports, about 200 restaurants will be set up in India at an investment of Rs 50 crore.

m_madhumita@dnaindia.net