The Indian palate is highly rich in spices and condiments. To change the effects of authentic Indian food from their taste buds, Indians are embracing new-new cuisines at restaurants. In a recently conducted survey, it has been revealed that 36 percent of total orders placed on an online food delivery platform across India are for non-traditional food. Apparently, in today’s time, food habits of Indians are changing; leading to Indians preferring more foreign delicacies than the conventional Indian cuisine to give a break to their taste buds.
In the meanwhile, it is the popular Japanese dish ‘Sushi’ that is grabbing attention from all around the world, including India. Sushi is a Japanese dish of prepared vinegared rice, usually with some sugar and salt, accompanying a variety of ingredients, such as seafood, vegetables, and occasionally tropical fruits. The versatility of the ingredients is the key contributor to its popularity, and in India, the prominence of rice and fish in the ‘sushi’ suits perfectly well for the Indian palate. The popularity of the dish has inspired various restaurateurs to start their own sushi restaurants, and the concept of franchising has helped this Japanese dish to strengthen its prominence in the Indian restaurant industry.
Changing Food Habits Trigger the Growth of ‘Sushi’
The willingness to experiment on food and the changing food habits of millennials is the trigger point for the popularity of Sushi franchises in India. The changing trends introduce new opportunities for the home-grown restaurants to experiment to bring out a new menu to the platter and expand their menu with international cuisines. This changing habit of the millennials is also serving as an opportunity for foreign brands to expand their cuisines in India via franchising. For instance, ‘Sumo Sushi and Bento’, a Japanese family dining, has expanded in India via franchising and welcomes a huge population of Indian youth and families at their restaurants.
Along with the changing food habits, it is the variety of Sushi that is being served at these Sushi franchises that captivates Indians sushi-lovers to restaurants. Sushi donuts, sushi burritos, and colorful complex sushi rolls are the most demanded among the restaurants.
Innovative Business Opportunity for Restaurateurs
Innovation is the key to success when it comes to any business today, and food is no exception. Adding uniqueness and something new to your basic product helps you in offering something new to the customers as the entire food industry is a game of taste buds. With the changing tastes of consumers, it is important to introduce innovation in your product so that you can create a niche for yourself in the market. For Japanese food, India is a very likable space in terms of expansion of the cuisine. This is why Indian restaurants can experiment with Japanese cuisine at their restaurants without much risk. A country like India where 71 percent of the population is non-vegetarian, the market for a premium non-vegetarian dish like sushi can do exceedingly well in India.
With an innovatively-niche business like Sushi restaurant, the concept of franchising goes hand in hand. Along with bringing innovation in the Indian restaurant scenario, sushi franchises bring lucrative business opportunities for restaurateurs. Talking about the investment in a sushi franchise, a range of investment starts with Rs 50 lakhs to Rs 5 crores and the returns on investment could be 30%. A highly rewarding business idea, sushi franchises has a long way to go in India.
