AHMEDABAD — The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) is set to spotlight Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) as a potential expansion destination for restaurant and food service brands.
The initiative will be a core focus during the 5th NRAI Food Delivery Summit, scheduled to be held in Ahmedabad on August 20. Organisers expect the event to draw more than 5,000 attendees, alongside delegates from over 30 cities and representatives from upwards of 1,500 brands.
As part of the summit agenda, a dedicated session titled “GIFT City for the Global Kitchen: Intersection of Innovation, Capital and Food Brands” has been organized. The session aims to address the shifting consumption trends across Gujarat.
Sagar Daryani, President of NRAI and co-founder and CEO of Wow Momo Foods, noted that the state's food ecosystem has evolved significantly over time. According to Daryani, GIFT City offers an opportunity to attract restaurant brands that previously overlooked the state, including international concepts and NRI-backed ventures.
To facilitate potential expansion, the NRAI has coordinated with the GIFT City administration to arrange site visits and meetings between visiting restaurant operators and local real-estate developers. The association projects that between 25 and 30 restaurateurs could establish physical outlets in GIFT City over the next five years, driven by the ongoing development of the hub's commercial and residential ecosystem.
Industry representatives point to changing consumer preferences in Ahmedabad and across the state as a key driver for market expansion. Operators report rising demand for diverse cuisines, including Burmese, Mexican, and Korean food options, alongside a growing acceptance of non-vegetarian dishes. At the same time, regional tax adjustments, specifically a reduction in the Value Added Tax (VAT) percentage, have improved operating economics for incoming food businesses.
Beyond geographical expansion, the August 20 summit will cover broader industry trends, featuring over 70 speakers discussing topics such as franchising, direct ordering, artificial intelligence platforms, marketing, customer loyalty programs, and strategies for building large-scale food brands.
"The push by the NRAI to introduce restaurant and food brands to GIFT City marks a strategic step in aligning India's evolving hospitality sector with emerging commercial hubs. As urban centers like GIFT City expand their residential and commercial infrastructure, organized dining operators have a viable pathway to capture new consumer segments. Furthermore, the combination of shifting local consumption patterns and supportive regional tax adjustments creates a stronger foundation for multi-city retail and F&B expansion." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes
