Dine-in is back; not seeing effects of inflation: Gaurav Burman, Director of Burman Hospitality

Dine-in is back, in a big way, as the lead channel and Taco Bell is not seeing the effects that one would have expected from the current high inflationary environment, said Gaurav Burman, director of Burman Hospitality and master franchisee partner of Yum! Brands-owned Mexican cuisine restaurant chain Taco Bell.

“We are somewhat protected in India; we still have a very rapidly growing economy here unlike some other parts of the world,” Burman, scion of the

group, said. “If I look at consumption in general, including Dabur, we are seeing our India businesses hold up very strongly, much more strongly compared to some of the international markets we have operated in.”

Taco Bell Corp, subsidiary of Yum! Brands Inc, which tied up with Burman Hospitality in 2019, announced its 100th store in India this week, and is on track to set up its earlier stated target of 600 stores. Burman said the store expansion would involve a capital investment of about $100 million.

Julie Masino, Taco Bell International president, currently on an India visit, said the business has created over 3,000 jobs in India, and will create another 15,000. “The business is matching the growth the India economy is seeing,” she said.