Reliance Retail‘s 7-Eleven convenience store has opened a new outlet in Kalamboli, Panvel, Maharashtra, as announced by a company official on social media.
“We are thrilled to announce the first 7-Eleven store’s grand opening in Kalamboli, Pune, which will include a brand-new BWS section! Come celebrate quality and convenience in one place with us,” Reliance Retail’s Property Acquisition Manager Amit Kumar Rout said.
Snackfax previously reported that the company had reached the milestone of opening 50 stores in India.
7-Eleven is renowned for its convenient one-stop-shop experience, offering busy customers a variety of ready-to-eat food, beverages, and daily essentials.
Originally established as an icehouse storefront in Dallas, Texas in 1927, the brand is currently owned by the Japanese company Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd. According to its official website, it now operates over 84,000 convenience stores in 20 countries.
In India, Reliance Retail manages 7-Eleven, which launched its first store in Mumbai in 2021. Initially, 7-Eleven had collaborated with Kishore Biyani’s Future Group to penetrate the Indian market; however, the partnership was terminated in 2021.
Brij Hotels aims to have 50 operational boutique hotels in the next five years before considering international expansion, according to its co-founder Udit Kumar.
The Delhi-based company, which recently raised $4 million (approximately INR 33 crore) in Series A funding, currently manages eight properties and plans to expand by adding three to four more properties in 2024-25.
Kumar mentioned that the company intends to pursue another round of funding within the next year.
Since travellers value experience above all else, they favour well planned stays. We offer a distinctive experience that strengthens our relationship with each guest at each hotel,” he said.
The company’s Series A investment was led by the Manipal Education & Medical Group Family Office, with contributions from investors such as Abhay Jain, Abhiroop Jayanthi (Managing Director of Bain Capital), Rajendra Rao, and Prashant Deshpande.
“We lease all of our hotels for 20 to 30 years at a time, and we invest a lot of money to make sure they live up to our standards. Therefore, during the next 10 to 12 months, we will look for another round of capital to support the expansion we have planned,” Kumar stated.
According to a report from HVS Anarock, the global boutique hotel sector has grown by over 50% in the last three years.
Anant Kumar, co-founder of Brij Hotels, stated, “While traditional luxury hotels are going to continue to perform well, luxury travellers desiring unique experiences will gravitate towards boutique hotels.” “We expect further increases in occupancy as travel becomes a year-round phenomenon. Currently, we maintain an occupancy rate of 50–55%.”
India aims to boost the export of agricultural value-added goods by collaborating with retail chains and supermarkets in nations such as the United Arab Emirates. The commerce department has pinpointed 12 value-added food items, encompassing jams, jellies, and marmalades, alcoholic beverages, fruit pulp products, dehydrated vegetables, and ready-to-eat products for this endeavor.
“We intend to focus on a select few products and encourage exports. These are a few value-added products that we are confident will provide results,” stated an official, who did not wish to be identified.
Biscuits, confectionery items, mango pulp, value-added mango products, as well as preserved gherkins and cucumbers are also included in the list.
“There is no specific target set for the export of these 12 categories. We anticipate a boost from the free trade agreements recently established,” the official commented. They further mentioned that the strategy includes promotional activities, consultations with stakeholders, and collaborations with supermarkets and retail chains, particularly in the UAE, the EU, and the US.
In the fiscal year 2022-23, India’s processed food exports reached $10.6 billion, marking a compound annual growth rate of 22.4% over the past five years. Meanwhile, the total agricultural and food exports stood at approximately $53 billion, with a year-on-year growth of 6%. India targets to elevate its agricultural exports to $100 billion by 2029-30, up from the current $53 billion.
Agricultural products make up nearly 11% of India’s total export value. Globally, India stands at the eighth position in agricultural exports, holding a 2.45% share in 2022.
Furthermore, since these are processed foods, the official noted that import restrictions from purchasing countries would likely be minimal.
The department intends to conduct a market-specific analysis of products that can be readily exported and also aims to focus on countries that currently import similar goods from other nations but not from India. This would involve identifying the necessary certifications, standards, and export compliances to facilitate business and exports. Agriculture is one of the six priority sectors projected to contribute approximately $670 billion to exports by 2029-30. India’s total exports in 2022-23 amounted to $451.07 billion.
India is renowned for its rich vegetarian cuisine, yet amidst the myriad vegetable-based delicacies, there exists a treasure trove of distinctive non-vegetarian dishes steeped in history, often overlooked. In a recent survey conducted by Taste Atlas, a digital platform ranking culinary delights, India’s Rogan Josh and Galouti Kebab claimed the 26th and 27th spots respectively among the top 100 lamb dishes worldwide.
The top five positions were dominated by Greece’s Paidakia, a dish of marinated lamb chops, followed by Turkey’s Cag kebab, Doner Kebab, and Adana Kebab. Spain’s Lecahzo rounded out the list in fifth place.
Let’s delve deeper into these two iconic dishes from Northern India.
Rogan Josh:
Rogan Josh, which comes from Kashmir, is well-known for its intense flavours and vivid red hue. The Persian origin of the name “Rogan” means “clarified butter or oil,” while the Hindi translation is “red.” “Josh” denotes ardour, frequently smouldering or heated. Thus, cooking in a hot, oil-based sauce is what makes rogan josh. The Mughals brought this dish to Kashmir as a result of their influence on Persian food.
Adapted to suit the distinct palate and cooking techniques of Kashmir, the dish underwent modifications from its original form. Despite the predominantly vegetarian menu of Kashmiri Brahmins, Rogan Josh became a staple in their regular diet. Their rendition omits onions and garlic, opting instead for fennel seeds and hing to enhance flavor, resulting in a delightful fusion with the lamb. In contrast, the Mughal version features abundant amounts of ginger and garlic.
Typically, rogan josh is prepared with slow-cooked lamb or goat, oil, yoghurt, and a variety of spices. Despite its bright red colour, it is usually not overly spicy. Rogan josh remains a popular dish in Northern India, and it is frequently found on the restaurant menus in the United States and Europe.
Galouti Kebab:
A classic dish in Lucknowi cuisine, this kebab from Uttar Pradesh traces its origins back to the era of the Nawabs of Awadh. Emerging from the royal kitchens in the late 17th century, the galouti or Tunday kebab was initially created for Nawab Mirza Asad-ud-Daula, known for his extravagant hospitality and culinary enthusiasm. With a penchant for meat dishes, particularly kebabs, the Nawab maintained a specialized team of chefs who continuously experimented to offer him an assortment of kebabs.
The term “galouti” translates to something that melts in the mouth, and indeed, this kebab lives up to its name, effortlessly dissolving upon tasting. Despite aging and encountering dental issues, the Nawab’s fondness for kebabs persisted. To accommodate his palate and ease of consumption, the royal chefs ingeniously devised the galouti kebab. Incorporating raw papaya paste into minced mutton, they achieved a soft, melt-in-the-mouth texture, ensuring the Nawab could enjoy his favorite dish with ease.
Traditionally, galouti kebabs feature tenderized minced meat, often sourced from goat or lamb, though variations with beef and chicken are also popular. The meat undergoes a meticulous hand-mincing process before being marinated with a blend of aromatic spices like cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and mace.
Skillfully shaped into small, flat patties, the marinated meat mixture is cooked on a griddle over low heat, generously brushed with clarified butter. Galouti kebabs are traditionally served with parathas or rumali roti.
These two Indian dishes have become staples across the country and indeed around the world. However, they represent just a small portion of the numerous delectable non-vegetarian recipes that contribute to the rich culinary tapestry of the country.
According to JLL India’s ‘Hotel Investment Trends – India 2023’ report, India’s hospitality industry saw a remarkable investment activity of $401 million in 2023. This marked a nearly fourfold increase from the previous year’s investment of 2022.
In 2023, JLL noted a peak of 22 hotel transactions, the most significant volume of asset exchanges in the past decade. High net worth individuals and institutional investors were predominantly responsible for driving this increased transaction activity.
The report highlights a notable 80% year-on-year surge in hotel transaction volumes, totaling $78 million for the first quarter of the calendar year 2024, spanning from January to March.
In 2023, the hotel industry witnessed a record number of signings and openings, with 25,176 keys signed and 12,647 keys opened. Additionally, greenfield projects accounted for 13,600 keys in 2023, showing a significant increase from 8,000 keys in 2022. This growth underscores developers’ confidence in the sector’s long-term growth potential.
Jaideep Dang, who serves as the Managing Director of the Hotels and Hospitality Group for India at JLL, remarked that 2024 has begun with robust momentum, evidenced by notable hotel deals occurring early in the year.
“2023 has been a record year for hotel investments as well as for the opening and hiring of new, branded hotels. The strong performance of hotel stocks, which also gave confidence to hospitality businesses entering public markets and achieving good valuations, has further bolstered the sector’s enthusiasm, he said.
“We anticipate that this development will continue in 2024 due to a variety of growth avenues, including expanding commercial office markets, the construction of new airports and motorways, and an increase in pilgrimage travel, which will result in the emergence of new real estate and tourism hotspots across the nation,” he continued.
There were five transactions conducted through the insolvency resolution process by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in 2023, representing 33% of the total transaction value, which amounts to $133 million.
JLL reported a growing interest in hotel development activity in tier two cities, with 54% of the total signings occurring in these areas. Approximately 25% of last year’s total transaction value was attributed to under-construction hotels in both business and leisure destinations.
The upper upscale segment recorded the highest number of keys exchanged, followed by the upscale, luxury, and midscale segments. Although management contracts still make up the majority of signings, accounting for 78% of the total number of keys, there has been a significant rise in lease and revenue-sharing models across various tiers, making up 4% of the total keys signed. According to the JLL report, the performance of the commercial sector has directly benefited major urban centers. Tier one cities saw the highest number of keys signed since 2020, with a notable increase of 31% compared to 2022.
Royal Orchid Hotels is set to expand its reach across India in the fiscal year 2024-25, with plans to add 30-35 new properties comprising approximately 2,000 rooms. This expansion, as announced by Chairman and Managing Director Chander K Baljee, also includes a strategic focus on enhancing its wedding destination portfolio by introducing four to five new locations each year.
“We’re experiencing rapid expansion. Having already surpassed the milestone of 100 hotels, I anticipate that in the upcoming year (2024-25), we’ll be adding another 30-35 hotels,” stated Baljee.
Regarding the locations for these new hotels, he mentioned, “We’re considering various regions across India. Specifically, we’re aiming to establish a presence in areas where we currently don’t operate, such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and other select locations.”
When questioned about the total room count expected from the new properties, he remarked, “I estimate that there will be an addition of around 2,000 rooms.”
He explained that these new properties will span various segments under management contracts. He added that while there won’t be any company-owned properties, some will operate under a flexi-lease revenue-sharing model.
Regarding job creation through the new hotels, he remarked, “We are actively conducting training sessions for numerous individuals ourselves. Typically, for every room, there’s at least one staff member. With the addition of 2,000 rooms, we anticipate hiring 2,000 individuals.”
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi spearheading the promotion of India as a wedding destination, Baljee noted that the company is intensifying its endeavors to participate in this initiative.
“At present, we manage 20 wedding locations across the country…”We are planning to add more wedding locations, with the goal of adding four or five every year,” he said. He went on to say that these might be in a variety of locations, such as beachfront venues, hillside places, heritage resorts, or wildlife resorts.
Royal Orchid Hotels currently operates in more than 65 places across India and in nearby nations like Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Foodtech giant Zomato has received a tax demand, along with interest and penalty, totaling INR 23 crore from the Karnataka commercial taxes authority. The Gurgaon-based company disclosed this in a stock exchange filing on Sunday, stating that the tax notice has been issued for availing excess input tax credit under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rules.
“In its response to the show cause notice, the company provided clarification on the issue supported by pertinent documents and legal precedents. However, it seems that the authorities did not acknowledge this information when issuing the order,” stated Zomato in the filing. “The company is confident in its strong defence and expects no financial consequences from this matter before the appellate authority.”
The INR 23 crore tax demand closely follows a similar notice for INR 8.6 crore, issued to Zomato by the deputy commissioner of state tax, Gujarat, on March 15.
These came after a series of notices issued to Zomato by tax authorities throughout the country.
On December 30 and 31, 2023, the company was issued three demand orders by authorities in Delhi and Karnataka for an alleged short payment of GST in 2018 totaling INR 4.2 crore. According to the company, the first order from the Delhi sales tax office related to an alleged shortfall in GST in annual returns and failure to reverse input tax credit for exempted supplies. This order imposed a demand of INR 2.3 crore, inclusive of penalties.
In the subsequent instance, Zomato had stated its intention to remit INR 40,611 as extra interest, acknowledging an error in calculating the interest due to the government on the surplus input tax credit reversed by the company. In the third tax demand, mirroring the INR 402 crore show-cause notice from the GST authorities, the Karnataka GST department sought INR 1.9 crore, incorporating penalties and interest.
On December 28 last year, it was reported that Zomato received a notice regarding INR 402 crore of unpaid GST on delivery fees collected from customers. The company contends that it isn’t responsible for paying these taxes as it merely collects fees on behalf of its delivery partners.
Bisk Farm, a prominent biscuit & bakery brand in India under the umbrella of SAJ Food, renowned for its delectable assortment of treats, presents its latest temptation, ‘So Sweet Coconut,’ an exciting addition to its cracker biscuits lineup. Each mouthful offers a delightful blend, combining the fulfilling crunch of the biscuit with the exotic sweetness of coconut.
This golden-brown, lightly crunchy cracker biscuit features a sugary coating, crafting a harmonious fusion generously enriched with the goodness of coconut. ‘So Sweet Coconut’ is the perfect choice for daily snacking, whether enjoyed during tea time or as a quick pick-me-up snack.
“At Bisk Farm, our focus lies in crafting treats that not merely satiate cravings but also bring joy to taste buds,” stated Vijay Kumar Singh, Managing Director of SAJ Food Products. “We are excited to present a delicious experience for the whole family with the launch of ‘So Sweet Coconut.’ This sweet and light treat is ideal as a snack at any time. We think the new addition will quickly become a family favourite.”
The latest range of cracker biscuits comes in two sizes: 200 gms and 67 gms, priced at INR 35 and INR 10 respectively. The product is available at all major retail outlets.
Mexican quick-service restaurant chain Del Taco is rolling out a limited-time promotion, offering its Crispy Chicken Tacos and Egg & Cheese Breakfast Rollers at a price of two for $3.
On the promotional menu are the Crispy Chicken Taco, featuring a crispy chicken strip, shredded lettuce, cheddar cheese, and a variety of sauces, alongside the Egg & Cheese Breakfast Roller, comprising scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, and red sauce wrapped in a flour tortilla.
According to the company, members of the Del Yeah! Rewards program can enjoy extra savings by receiving a complimentary Iced or Hot Coffee with any purchase made through the app.
Sarah McAloon, chief administrative officer of Del Taco, stated, “Del continues to offer our customers with high quality, fresh, and affordable options in times of ever-increasing prices.”
“Our new two-for-three offers on our wildly popular Crispy Chicken Tacos and Egg & Cheese Breakfast Rollers underscore our unwavering dedication to serving fresh food quickly at affordable prices.”
Additionally, the restaurant chain has added a fresh item to its dessert menu: the Snickerdoodle Shake.
This handcrafted vanilla shake is blended with cookie crumbles and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.
Last month, Del Taco expanded its footprint in Alabama, USA, with the opening of a Fresh Flex location in Opelika at 3065 Pepperell Parkway.
This marked the third establishment for franchisee Clay Gullatt, who hails from Alabama.
During that month, the company collaborated with Stone Brewing to introduce Beer Battered Crispy Fish Tacos, utilizing Stone Buenaveza Salt & Lime Lager. These tacos, showcasing wild-caught Alaska Pollock in a crispy beer batter, were introduced for a limited time, available at two for $5.
TGI Fridays, the casual restaurant chain, has unveiled a fresh cocktail called The Tax Break, aiming to offer a revitalizing escape amidst the tax season hustle.
Between April 2nd and April 30th, customers can enjoy a special offer featuring a margarita concoction crafted with 1800 Silver Tequila, citrus, agave, strawberry, and passionfruit.
Moreover, patrons have the option to enjoy the beverage accompanied by a side of Hennessy VS.
The Tax Break cocktail will be on offer at select TGI Fridays venues for $7.
Weldon Spangler, CEO of TGI Fridays, stated, “We’re experts at creating the ideal drink to bring That Fridays FeelingTM to any and every moment. As a brand known for its iconic bar.”
“We are aware that many people find tax season to be a stressful time, so we’re turning the tables and providing our guests with a lighthearted diversion to lighten their day a bit.”
The brand is also promoting its new $5 Happy Hour, which includes a variety of drinks and appetizers.
The $5 Happy Hour is offered Monday through Friday, running from 3 pm to 6 pm and again from 9 pm until closing.
Included in the lineup are hand-crafted cocktails, craft beers, and spirits like Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Bulleit Bourbon.
Patrons can indulge in signature bar bites such as Loaded Potato Skins and Whiskey-Glazed Chicken Slammers.
TGI Fridays will additionally provide its Rewards members with a complimentary entrée upon purchasing one entrée of equal or lesser value.
The Fridays Rewards program also grants benefits such as complimentary chips and salsa or a $3 discount on any appetizer.
Ray Blanchette, the former CEO of TGI Fridays, purchased eight corporately owned locations in the northeastern US earlier this year. The transaction’s financial specifics are still private.
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