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After the Indian government made paying service charge in hotels and restaurants optional, there has been a huge cry in the hospitality sector. the <keyword id="146581" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Restaurant-Association-of-India">National Restaurant Association of India</keyword> (<keyword id="92417" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="NRAI">NRAI</keyword>) is clearly not happy with the Centre’s ruling and has cited judicial precedent against making service charge optional. 
 
The NRAI stated customers are free not to eat at a restaurant, if they do not wish to pay the service charge. 
 
NRAI, which represents independent restaurants and chains, said levying service charge was a "common and accepted practice" that was "recognised as such" by various government departments. 
 The government had clarified earlier in <keyword id="6354721" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="parliament">Parliament</keyword> that the authorities could act against those levying a service charge without the knowledge and consent of consumers on charges of indulging in "unfair trade practices". 
 
In a statement issued by the Union consumer affairs ministry it had asked states to ensure hotels and restaurants displayed information that service charge was optional on their premises. The ministry also made it clear that this was being done as it had received many complaints from customers who said they were being forced to pay service charge, in lieu of tips, of anything between 5% and 20% "irrespective of the kind of service provided". 
 The ministry said the <keyword id="407235" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hotel-Association-of-India">Hotel Association of India</keyword>, when asked for clarification, replied that a "service charge is completely discretionary" and a customer could have it waived. 
 Defending the levying of service charge, NRAI president <keyword id="366474" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Riyaaz-Amlani">Riyaaz Amlani</keyword> said that restaurants clearly follow the very same Consumer Protection Act that is being used to justify the move to penalise those who levy it without the consent of consumers. 
 
"The act stops us from indulging in any unfair method or deceptive practice. We clearly mention the service charge we levy on our menus. We are not indulging in any unfair trade practice. This is all part of a bill on which the restaurants pay VAT while the employees pay income tax. It also does away with cash tips," he told TOI. 
 Other restraint owner feels that the <keyword id="184317" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Department-of-Consumer-Affairs">Department of Consumer Affairs</keyword> should have waived the charge instead of leaving matters "ambiguous". 
 
"The diner might say the entire meal was nice but the salad was bad. What are we supposed to do in such a scenario? Most complaints we receive are about higher taxes and not service charge. The government didn't waive taxes but waived service charge that diners happily paid," he told TOI. 
 
However most food entrepreneurs believe, this move by the government wouldn't affect the QSR chains much. 
 
Here's what the food entrepreneurs felt: 
 
 Sagar Kumar, Nutritious Nation, gourmet health food: 
"We never charged a 10% charge to our customers in the first place. It's mostly casual dining cafes, fine dining restaurants and places that serve liquor that'll come under the ambit of consumers questioning why we should pay a mandatory 10% tip when the service isn't upto the mark." 
 
Ashish Tulsian, founder of POSist, a point of sale terminal company for restaurants : 
"This move may affect businesses of restaurants for a shorter period of time. Customers will get benefited as they would have a clarity on charges. For example, biryani costing Rs 200 becomes Rs 290 after taxes. Customers will understand clearly know how the calculation has been made. Though initially the restaurants will decide to hike the prices but in the long run, customers will gain." 
 
Sumit Gulati, Gulati Spice Market: 
"We already had a customer today who came in and declared that he won't pay service charge. Without even experiencing the service, he declined. We need to understand that the intent of the decision is good and for the benefit of the client. However, Delhi is known for its notorious behaviour. The whole reason why service charge came into being is because average people here have poor tipping nature."

Restaurant body fights back, says don’t eat if you don’t want to pay. QSR chains okay with the govt's move

Here's why Zomato and Swiggy are under CCI probe

NEW DELHI: <keyword id="6376241" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="KFC">KFC</keyword>, the Kentucky-based fast-food chain known for its “finger-lickin’ good” range of chicken fillets and burgers, has finally given in to India’s penchant for vegetarianism. In what appears to be a first across all KFC franchises globally, KFC India has unveiled a segregated vegetarian menu along with a strong message about its newfound bias for vegetarian offerings. 
 
Paneer Zinger and Veg Twister, in addition to the hot-selling Potato Krisper Burger, Veg Strips, Veg Rockin’ Burger and Veg Rice Bowl will now vie for consumer mind space along with their popular non-veg counterparts. The company has not only introduced new products under its veg range, it has also tweaked its global tagline “So good” to “So veg, so good” to show its commitment towards the category. 
 
Executives at the company say the new menu will help them satiate high local demand for vegetarian options. “We recognized an opportunity to deliver a significant vegetarian range for the Indian consumer, and to reach out to a broader target audience,” says Dhruv Kaul, director of marketing at KFC India. 
 Around 42% of Indian households are vegetarian, according to the Food and Agricultural Association of the <keyword id="6355833" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="united-nations">United Nations</keyword>, and 35% of weekdays are vegetarian for rest of the non-vegetarian population. The apparent split is backed up by consumer choice at various fast food restaurants across the country. For instance, last month, on National Breakfast Day, out of the total free breakfast meals offered by fast food chain <keyword id="126895" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="McDonald">McDonald</keyword>’s, 66% customers chose a Veg McMuffin over Egg McMuffin. 
 
Interestingly, McDonald’s is the first global fast-food chain to bring in a customized vegetarian menu to India, which boasts of McAloo Tikki burgers, among others. Since then, it has steadily been increasing the number of vegetarian options on its menu, along with other chains such as Subway. 
 
Similarly, as reported earlier by TOI, nearly 70% of the total pizzas sold in the country are vegetarian pizzas even in regions like Punjab, which is known for its meat-loving populace. “It also helps that vegetarian options are more affordable than non-vegetarian ones,” says Arvind Singhal, chairman of retail consultancy Technopak. 
 In the future, vegetarian offerings are expected to play a big role for fast food companies in India, with more and more urban consumers preferring vegetarian food as it is considered healthier. At present, India is emerging as one of the fastest growing fast food markets in the world. According to a <keyword id="819559" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="National-Restaurant-Association">National Restaurant Association</keyword> of India (NRAI) report, the fast <keyword id="194559" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Food-Industry">food industry</keyword> in India is estimated at Rs 8,000 crore and is growing at a CAGR of 35-40% annually.

KFC Creates A Veg Menu For India

New Delhi, March 31 () The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) on Tuesday said it aims to serve up to 10 million meals to the poor, migrants and others impacted by the lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak. These meals cost anywhere between Rs 20 and Rs 25 per head and the financial resources for this initiative will be partially crowd-funded, NRAI said in a statement. The association plans to use the extensive infrastructure of kitchens and restaurants of its partners across the country to produce and distribute up to 10 million meals in coordination with various authorities and NGOs during the period of this lockdown, it added. "As a responsible and large industry body, we realise that our available infrastructure of kitchens, employees and storage facilities can easily be leveraged to address one of the key current concerns in India -- how to feed the underprivileged," NRAI President Anurag Katriar said. AKT HRS

NRAI aims to serve up to 10 mn meals to needy during lockdown

<ul><li><keyword id="131257" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Taco-Bell">Taco Bell</keyword> will reportedly open neary 600 more outlets in India in the next 10 years. </li><li>The move will lead to an expansion of the workforce — employing 20,000 more people in the business. </li><li>Presently, India has 35 Taco Bell outlets across cities. </li><li>The food giant will also open cloud kitchens in the domestic market.</li></ul>Eyeing global expansion, <keyword id="539227" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mexican-cuisine">mexican cuisine</keyword> chain Taco Bell, is all set to expand its footprint in the Indian market — with plans to open 600 outlets. The outlets are expected to generate up to 20,000 <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/yum-to-open-600-taco-bell-outlets-employ-20000/articleshow/69350881.cms">jobs in India</a>, according to media reports. Yum Brands — which runs Pizza Hut, KFC and Taco Bell — has said that it will open nearly 600 Taco Bell outlets in India in the next 10 years. The move will make India the second largest Market for Taco Bell. The<a href="https://brandequity.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/business-of-brands/taco-bell-to-employ-about-20-000-people-partners-with-burman-hospitality-in-india/69351030"> hiring</a> plans will include freshers, entry-level members, restaurant managers and store positions. Other than that, the company plans to outsource a few functionalities — supply chain management (SCM), finance and IT. India is a “massive opportunity market” for the brand, Ankush Tuli, managing director, Taco Bell Asia-Pacific told TOI. Talking of jobs in the restaurant industry, India hired 7.3 million people in 2018-19, according to the data by the <keyword id="819559" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Restaurant-Association">National Restaurant Association</keyword> of India(NRAI). The Indian Food services industry stands at 4,23,865 crore presently, which is expected to grow upto 5,99,784 crore in the next five years, it added. Presently, the US is the largest market for the food giant with over 7,000 outlets. While it has nearly 500 outlets spread across other countries — including 35 in India. Nevertheless, Taco Bell will introduce new outlets taking the score count to 600 exclusively in India in a span of 10 years, TOI reported citing Taco Bell International’s President Liz Williams. Taco Bell was introduced in the Indian market in 2010. The move unfolds as the company signs a<a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/hotels-/-restaurants/taco-bell-names-burman-hospitality-as-exclusive-national-franchise-partner/articleshow/69342818.cms"> master franchise agreement </a>with Burman Hospitality. The food giant will likely open cloud kitchens in India as a part of the initiative. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/carmakers-in-india-are-looking-for-a-new-breed-of-techies-in-a-changing-market/articleshow/68789684.cms">Carmakers in India are looking for a new breed of techies in a changing market</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/wipro-is-hiring-for-technical-sales-profile-for-australia-the-us-and-the-middle-east/articleshow/69247073.cms">Indian IT major Wipro is hiring ‘new blood’ to expand its sales workforce across geographies</a>

Taco Bell is going on expansion spree in India — with plans to hire 20,000 people

<ul><li><keyword id="106133" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ranveer-singh" source="Orion">Ranveer Singh</keyword> is the first Bollywood actor to be <keyword id="84528" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="national-basketball-association" source="Orion">National Basketball Association</keyword>'s brand ambassador for India.</li><li>He will be engaging with Indian NBA fans. </li></ul>The National Basketball Association (NBA) today named Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh the <keyword id="12209065" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nba-brand-ambassador" source="Orion">NBA Brand Ambassador</keyword> for India. In this capacity, Singh will work with the NBA to help grow the league’s profile in India throughout its landmark 75th Anniversary Season in 2021-22. Over the course of the season, Singh will participate in a number of league initiatives that will be featured on NBA India’s and his personal social media accounts. Singh will attend NBA All-Star 2022 in Cleveland, where he will post behind-the-scenes social media content and meet NBA players and legends. Singh previously attended NBA All-Star 2016 in Toronto, where he sat courtside at the NBA All-Star Game. Singh will also be featured on NBA Style, a new lifestyle-focused Instagram account for fans in India that showcases the convergence of the NBA and popular culture. “NBA Style” serves as a destination for fans in India to immerse themselves in the many ways that the league and its players influence and are influenced by music, style, art and entertainment. The new account also spotlights a wide range of local personalities and their contributions to both NBA and popular culture. “I have loved basketball and the NBA since my childhood and have always been fascinated with its influence on popular culture, including music, fashion and entertainment,” said Singh. “With the NBA tipping off its 75th season celebrations, there couldn’t have been a better time to join forces with the league and support their efforts to grow basketball in the country.” “We are thrilled to welcome Ranveer Singh as NBA brand ambassador for India ahead of what promises to be a memorable 75th Anniversary Season,” said NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum. “A Bollywood icon and one of the most celebrated actors of his generation, Ranveer is also a dedicated NBA fan who is passionate about the league and its players. We’re excited to work with Ranveer to engage with fans in India and around the world on a variety of platforms.” “Ranveer is an ideal ambassador to headline the launch of NBA Style, our new Instagram handle that explores the intersection of basketball and culture,” said NBA Asia Executive Vice President and Managing Director Scott Levy. “Art, fashion and entertainment are part of the fabric of India, and with Ranveer’s help, NBA Style will contribute to the cultural landscape and showcase how the league and its players have been shaped by and influence culture.” A native of Mumbai, Singh has appeared in several critically acclaimed movies and is the recipient of multiple prestigious awards.

Ranveer Singh named National Basketball Association's brand ambassador for India

New Delhi, Apr 3 () Spirits maker Beam Suntory on Friday said it is partnering the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) to pledge support of Rs 1 crore to be used to provide relief to thousands of staff of member restaurants and their families during the lockdown period. With the lockdown of restaurants and bars across India to maintain social distancing, several thousand members of the hospitality community have been affected financially, the company said in a statement. "The global pandemic has threatened the survival of many businesses, especially the food and beverages (F&amp;B) industry, at a time when it was emerging strongly in India," Beam Suntory India Managing Director Neeraj Kumar said. He further said, "Although we are confident that the industry will rebuild and continue to thrive after this crisis, the current economic anxiety is spilling over to thousands of dedicated professionals who have passionately supported the industry with their talent." Through these initiatives, Kumar said, "We want to give back to our partners in the F&amp;B community. They are our greatest champions and we want to support them in these difficult times." NRAI President Anurag Katriar said, "This corpus will enable NRAI to extend helping hand to its members and their employees in times of such unprecedented crisis." He said the restaurant is going through some very trying times and the support from Beam Suntory is extremely reassuring and encouraging and the gesture will further cement the relationship between the F&amp;B fraternity and the company. RKL HRS

Coronavirus: Beam Suntory, NRAI pledge Rs 1 cr support for restaurant industry workers

<ul><li>The CAIT is seeking probe and has alleged that <keyword id="18635" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amazon">Amazon</keyword> and <keyword id="6354742" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Flipkart">Flipkart</keyword> are avoiding a tax liability. </li><li>Meanwhile, <keyword id="2808667" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="OYO">OYO</keyword>’s troubles continue with hotel owners alleging unethical practices followed by the company. </li><li>Following the <keyword id="92417" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="NRAI">NRAI</keyword>’s path, the Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR), which has 8,000 members nationally is also claiming to have logged out of <keyword id="830092" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Zomato">Zomato</keyword>. </li></ul>India’s biggest startups have been solving its systemic problems to build businesses. But the system has now started revolting and it could be another trouble that they have to solve. Startups like Oyo, Zomato, Amazon, Flipkart which have all disrupted traditional setup are now facing challenges that come with overtaking a market. Here’s a look at how trouble is brewing for the companies. Amazon and Flipkart Amazon and Flipkart are united in a rare case – where they both are facing a protest from the Confederation Of All India <keyword id="6371444" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="traders">Traders</keyword> (CAIT). While trader protests have been a part of the e-commerce journey so far in India, it has intensified with the CAIT now seeking a <a href="https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/cait-seeks-probe-into-alleged-avoidance-of-tax-liability-by-amazon-flipkart-11574620469832.html">probe </a>against Amazon and Flipkart. The CAIT alleged that Amazon and Flipkart are evading tax. It said that the companies are selling products for much lower than their fair price value, thus avoiding a larger GST cost. “Since FDI is governed by the FEMA and the Reserve Bank of India, it is demanded that an another enquiry may also be initiated on pattern of receivable funding and its disbursement," CAIT <a href="https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/cait-seeks-probe-into-alleged-avoidance-of-tax-liability-by-amazon-flipkart-11574620469832.html">said.</a> Earlier, the CAIT also organised a nationwide protest against the deep discounting of products on Amazon and Flipkart. OYO OYO brought Indian budget hotels online and shot to fame thanks to its many customers. But hotel owners who they work with are alleging that OYO’s practices are unethical. Recently, a Bengaluru hotelier filed a cheating case against Agarwal and six others claiming that the OYO hasn’t paid him his dues. According to the complaint, OYO was supposed to pay ₹7 lakh a month for room bookings but failed to do so since May 2019. OYO responded stating that it would fight back with a complaint against the hotelier for "using improper legal means to sensationalise a civil dispute and get attention". “This matter is currently sub-judice, and we are not at the liberty of commenting on specifics. Having said that, we strongly refute the claims made in the complaint that has been wrongfully filed against our founder and six other office bearers, based on false allegations and exaggeration on a regular commercial dispute,” the company said in a statement. The case of the Bengaluru hotelier is not isolated. Similar reports have surfaced from across the country against <a href="https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/why-many-hotel-owners-across-india-are-agitated-oyos-business-model-106154">OYO</a>. Zomato Indian foodtech unicorn has had a rough few months thanks to one of its bestselling features – Zomato Gold. The National Restaurant Association of India protested against the feature saying that Zomato advertised the ‘elite’ feature which turned out to be a mass product. This resulted in thousands of restaurateurs logging out of Zomato. The foodtech aggregator had shut down the logout movement by not offering discounts for its gold membership. However, it also extended the service for home delivery, where users could avail the 1+1 and 2+2 offers. Now, following the NRAI’s path, the Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/hotels-/-restaurants/8000-strong-hotels-body-to-shun-zomato-gold-delivery/articleshow/72215761.cms">(AHAR)</a>, which has 8,000 members nationally is also claiming to have logged out of Zomato because of Gold on delivery and other issues like unavailability of delivery executives.

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Restaurant body fights back, says don’t eat if you don’t want to pay. QSR chains okay with the govt's move

BI India Bureau

Here's why Zomato and Swiggy are under CCI probe

Business Insider India

KFC Creates A Veg Menu For India

Times Of India

NRAI aims to serve up to 10 mn meals to needy during lockdown

PTI

Taco Bell is going on expansion spree in India — with plans to hire 20,000 people

Prerna Sindwani

Ranveer Singh named National Basketball Association's brand ambassador for India

BI India Partner

Coronavirus: Beam Suntory, NRAI pledge Rs 1 cr support for restaurant industry workers

PTI

Oyo, Zomato, Amazon, and Flipkart are chasing growth but the very foundation is shaking

Sanchita Dash

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