The recent India-Pakistan cricket match led to a significant boost in business for the restaurant industry in major cities, with sales increasing by 15-30% compared to a typical weekend.
H2 Cricket Frenzy Spurs Restaurant Industry Boom in India
Introduction:
As the cricket frenzy reached its peak during the highly anticipated India-Pakistan match, the restaurant industry in major cities experienced a substantial boost in business. Restaurant chains such as Massive Restaurants, the operator of Farzi Cafe, and popular chains like Cafe Delhi Heights reported a surge in sales, with business being 15-30% higher than a typical weekend. This article explores the impact of the cricket match on the restaurant industry and highlights the innovative events and strategies adopted by restaurants to capitalize on the cricket fever.
Increased Sales and Celebratory Mood:
According to Zorawar Kalra, the founder and MD of Massive Restaurants, the company witnessed its highest-ever Saturday lunch and pre-dinner sales. Even dinner sales were significantly higher due to the celebratory mood of the patrons. This boost in business was not limited to India alone, as overseas restaurants screening the match also observed increased sales. Cafe Delhi Heights, with its 20 outlets in the National Capital Region (NCR), experienced a near-equal share of sales between alcohol and food. Additionally, cricket enthusiasts continued to patronize these outlets even after India’s victory, further contributing to the surge in revenue.
Innovative Events and Strategies:
Restaurants are capitalizing on the popularity of cricket matches by organizing various events on match dates. Flow microbrewery and The Chatter House pub in Delhi, for example, are planning a special ticketed event for the India-New Zealand match in Dharamshala. This event will accommodate around 350 people and feature large-screen televisions and cheerleaders, creating an immersive cricket-watching experience.
Surge in Home Deliveries:
Home deliveries also experienced a significant surge during the match. Rebel Foods, the parent company of popular brands like Behrouz Biryani, Faasos, Oven Story Pizza, and Wendy’s, recorded a 100% week-on-week increase in orders. Their ‘Born Blue’ campaign and offers such as buy one, get one deals and biryani combos contributed to this surge in orders and sales. Furthermore, tier-two cities like Agra, Aligarh, Faridabad, Jabalpur, and Rohtak witnessed increased sales on the EatSure platform, highlighting the widespread impact of the cricket match on the restaurant industry.
Conclusion:
The recent India-Pakistan cricket match created a frenzy among cricket enthusiasts and had a significant impact on the restaurant industry in major cities. With sales increasing by 15-30% compared to a typical weekend, restaurants like Massive Restaurants and Cafe Delhi Heights experienced their highest-ever Saturday lunch and pre-dinner sales. The excitement surrounding such high-stakes matches played a vital role in this surge in revenue. Additionally, restaurants are capitalizing on the cricket fever by organizing special events and innovative strategies to engage customers. The surge in home deliveries further highlights the widespread influence of the cricket match on the restaurant industry.
