Promoting F&B Outlets

The Indian restaurant market which is, according to the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), expected to reach Rs. 5.99 crore by 22-23, is one of the fastest growing in the world. The Pandemic had affected it adversely, and the possible inflation could also impact the industry. It needs to adopt techniques to attract customers and to imbibe in them a desire to keep visiting the outlets. Ashok Malkani takes a look at some of the methods that the restaurants need to embrace to overcome the pandemic fear, which is still prevalent in the minds of the customers.

- Ashok Malkani

The food & beverage industry is, after a long span of absence due to the pandemic, seeing the clients returning with family and friends, to dine in at the food & beverage outlets. However, there is still a little hesitancy on their part and the dine-in places have to win back the confidence of their clients, as far as the clients' safety is concerned. To attract more guests and for business to return to pro-pandemic days, it is felt that there is a need to assure them of their protection and wellbeing at the dine-in place.

Priyank Sukhija, MD and CEO First Fiddle Restaurant Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, believes that the necessity to assure customer of his well being is not a phenomenon due to the pandemic. He says, "I think it would be a little unfair to say that continuous effort to attract guests is something that has started only after the pandemic. We, at First Fiddle, have always kept our patrons, current and prospective, at the centre of our ethos. Since the beginning, we've prided ourselves in offering unique experiences to our guests and constantly upgraded ourselves to ensure that they have something new to look forward to every time. In the hospitality sector, if we don't constantly reinvent ourselves, we'll soon find ourselves irrelevant, with guests moving on to the next best thing."

Anupam Dutta, Director of Operations, Miss Pinto Restaurant, Delhi, informs, "Ever since the ease of covid-19 restrictions, people have returned to F&B outlets. All customers have some pre-conceived expectations about the restaurant before they visit it. Both Food and Service are essential for delivering excellent restaurant service to your valuable customers. The Restaurant's owners, managers, and employees, all share the responsibility for ensuring that the customers are treated professionally. Good restaurant service will help in leaving an overall positive impression of an excellent dining experience"