The Times of India reports that the world’s third largest burger chain, Wendy’s, will open its first restaurant in the northern state of Gurgaon. Prices of burgers will start from around $1.40. Plans are in progress to open 50 stores in the next four years.
“Our key differentiators will be food quality and service,” said Sanjay Chhabra, director of Sierra Nevada Restaurants, the franchisee for Wendy’s in India. “It won’t be a self-service format. Food will be served at the table.”
India is becoming a highly sought after destination for international burger chains, which are looking to expand to newer markets in the face of rising operating costs in developed ones. Burger King, Fat Burger and Johnny Rockets have opened their stores here. “Burgers, especially gourmet, are some of the most searched food items online,” said Pankaj Chaddah, COO of restaurant-search app Zomato. Though India’s QSR market is small, market research firm Crisil reports that it is expected to grow by 26% year-on-year.
