To launch two new brands and adopt franchise model for expansion of Village restaurants in Tier-II cities of India

Kambala Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. has confirmed that it will take its ‘Village’ brand of restaurants to USA, UK and UAE by mid-2009. The company, which operates six brands of restaurants in India, will introduce two new brands, ‘BKC Raffles,’ and `Coconut’ next month. ‘BKC Raffles,’ in Mumbai will be a 130 cover multi-cuisine restaurant serving Indian, Asian and Central European cuisine with a `live kitchen’ concept targeting premium clients. ‘Coconut’, a restaurant serving coastal cuisine of India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore will be launched in Vashi, Navi Mumbai.

The company also plans to expand its presence in the country, especially metros and will use the franchise model to penetrate the Tier-II cities. “We are aiming to open 15 Village restaurants this year and 25 next year,” said Amar Jog, Director – Business Development & Marketing, KHPL. Jog informed that the company will first enter the Western India market by opening restaurants in Gujarat and Central Maharashtra this year and will target the Southern market in the second phase of expansion next year.

“We are considering cities like Surat, Pune, Nasik, Nagpur, Ahmedabad and Baroda in Western India. There are also plans to set up restaurants in Bangalore and Hyderabad,” said Vinay Singh, Head, Sales and Marketing, KHPL. Singh added that the company will open its first franchise `Village’ restaurant by September this year and aim for 50 outlets by the end of 2009.

Currently, the company operates four Village restaurants; Rudey’s Forest Café (one more to be launched in Vashi, Navi Mumbai by June 2008); Not just Punjabi (one more to be operational in Vashi by September 2008); Choopati restaurant; two Imperial Banquets and Umarao Jaan (one more to be operational next month in Vashi).

Source: travelbizmonitor.com