Menu for the future

Known in hospitality circles as the pioneer of the standalone restaurant model in the country, AD Singh, partner of Olive Bar & Kitchen, predicts the future trends in the sector. By Dinkar Farwaha

AD Singh is of the opinion that there is huge potential for restaurants in India across segments. He however wants to tap the enormous potential in the high-end segment and wants to open its own boutique hotels. He believes that while Indian hospitality and tourism sectors have tremendous potential, poor infrastructure and a laidback approach by the government has posed a hurdle.

Looking ahead

Singh reckons that in future, restaurateurs will leverage the power of their brands and collaborate with mall owners, hotels and real estate developers. When asked about the drivers of growth in the restaurant sector, Singh replies, "The development of the restaurant sector is largely linked to the growth of the country's economy and unaffected by the tourism market, except possibly in a few destinations like Goa and Manali where tourism market plays an integral role." With international brands and funds flowing into Indian hospitality, Singh is of the opinion that it will make it a little tougher for local players but overall the standards of the industry will go up.

Singh believes

Singh believes that the overheated real estate market, environmental issues, licensing roadblocks and lack of debt financing opportunities for the hospitality sector are the biggest challenges that the sector is facing today. "A correction is needed or else smaller players and new entrants will be forced out of the industry," he says. He is of the view that as the industry grows, financial institutions will help the sector in countering the challenge of debt financing.

"They should form a panel of respected restaurateurs to work with them in streamlining policies which would benefit everyone," he suggests. n