How quick service restaurants are riding the India growth story
Growth has been slow but steady, exactly opposite of the steady decline in the US market.Subway, like other fast-food joints, is a part of the quick service restaurant (QSR) industry, which is riding on the tailwinds of India’s growth story.India’s QSR industry is complex and varied, with entities ranging from small independent eating places (neighbourhood Udipi type hotels) to home-grown chains (Haldiram’s, Saravanaa Bhavan) to multinational franchises (Subway, McDonald’s). However, the organized QSR market is dominated by a few firms, which control global food brands and generate about ₹20,000 crore in revenue (2024-25 estimate).The top five companies are publicly listed, and recent press reports suggest that Subway may also be preparing for an initial public offering.
The QSR space has seen a surge in fundraising, mergers and market consolidation; all of which point to strong growth prospects for the industry.Indeed, a report by Mordor Intelligence estimates that the market size of the QSR industry would grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 9% during 2026-31, to reach $47.3 billion in 2031. Such optimistic growth projections are driven by three factors: Rising incomes, changing demographic patterns, and the rise of food aggregators and delivery platforms.India's rising incomes allow households to indulge in greater discretionary spending, including eating out in restaurants.
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