Indian Railways has opened the doors of its railway stations to major quick service restaurant (QSR) chains, marking a significant shift in its food and catering strategy. Under the new framework introduced by IRCTC, leading national and international food brands will now be allowed to set up outlets at railway stations across the country.
As part of the move, IRCTC has created a new category called Premium Brand Catering Outlets, under which well-known QSR brands can participate in e-auctions to secure space at stations. Popular names such as McDonald’s, KFC, Domino’s, Haldiram’s, Wow! Momo and leading biryani chains are expected to bid for these locations.
Railways officials said the decision is aimed at improving food quality, hygiene and standardisation at stations, while also unlocking the commercial potential of railway premises. With nearly 3.5 crore passengers travelling by train every day, railway stations represent one of the largest and most consistent high-footfall public spaces in the country. The move is also expected to support station redevelopment and modernisation efforts under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, while boosting non-fare revenue for the Railways.
For QSR chains, railway stations offer a new and attractive growth avenue at a time when demand in urban markets has begun to slow. Industry executives point out that stations provide guaranteed footfall, lower marketing costs and faster return on investment compared with malls and high-street locations. Since IRCTC manages the infrastructure, brands are also spared many of the real-estate and operational challenges associated with standalone outlets.
The initiative is expected to benefit listed food service companies such as Jubilant FoodWorks, Devyani International, and Westlife Foodworld, along with homegrown brands like Wow! Momo and Haldiram’s. IRCTC, in turn, stands to gain through higher commissions, improved brand perception and increased rental income from station premises. The presence of established food brands is also likely to boost demand for packaged food and beverages sold at stations.
The move signals a broader push by Indian Railways to transform stations into modern, consumer-friendly hubs while creating new revenue streams beyond ticket fares.
Indian Railways ne apne railway stations ko major quick service restaurant (QSR) chains ke liye open kar diya hai, jo food aur catering strategy mein ek bada shift maana ja raha hai. IRCTC ke naye framework ke tahat, leading national aur international food brands ko desh bhar ke railway stations par outlets kholne ki ijazat milegi.
Is initiative ke under, IRCTC ne “Premium Brand Catering Outlets” naam ki ek nayi category launch ki hai. Is category ke through well-known QSR brands e-auctions ke zariye station premises par jagah ke liye bid kar sakenge. McDonald’s, KFC, Domino’s, Haldiram’s, Wow! Momo aur leading biryani chains jaise brands ke is process mein shamil hone ki ummeed hai.
Railways officials ke mutabik, is decision ka main objective stations par food quality, hygiene aur standardisation improve karna hai, saath hi railway premises ke commercial potential ko bhi unlock karna hai. Rozana lagbhag 3.5 crore passengers train se travel karte hain, jiski wajah se railway stations desh ke sabse high-footfall public spaces mein shumar hote hain. Yeh move Amrit Bharat Station Scheme ke tahat station redevelopment aur modernisation efforts ko bhi support karega, aur saath hi Railways ke non-fare revenue ko boost karega.
QSR chains ke liye, railway stations ek attractive growth opportunity ban kar ubhar rahe hain, khaaskar us waqt jab urban markets mein demand thodi slow ho rahi hai. Industry executives ka kehna hai ki stations par guaranteed footfall, kam marketing cost aur malls ya high-street locations ke muqable faster return on investment milta hai. Kyunki infrastructure IRCTC manage karta hai, isliye brands ko real-estate aur operational challenges ka bhi kaafi had tak samna nahi karna padta.
Is initiative se Jubilant FoodWorks, Devyani International aur Westlife Foodworld jaise listed food service companies ko fayda milne ki ummeed hai, saath hi homegrown brands jaise Wow! Momo aur Haldiram’s bhi iska hissa ban sakte hain. IRCTC ke liye yeh move higher commissions, better brand image aur station rentals se additional income ka rasta kholta hai. Bade food brands ki entry se stations par packaged food aur beverages ki demand bhi badhne ke aasaar hain.
Overall, yeh decision Indian Railways ki us badi strategy ka hissa hai jiska aim railway stations ko modern, consumer-friendly hubs mein badalna aur ticket fares ke alawa naye revenue streams create karna hai.
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