Inspired by the charm of historic Mughlai dining traditions, the space reimagines heritage-inspired interiors, warm hospitality, and authentic culinary craftsmanship for today’s discerning diners, offering a refined yet deeply nostalgic dining experience. The bustling food streets, rich architectural character, and communal dining culture of Old Delhi, the restaurant has been envisioned as a space where tradition and modernity coexist. Rather than replicating heritage elements in a literal manner, the design interprets them thoughtfully, creating an environment that feels familiar yet contemporary.

The interiors are centred around warmth and comfort. Plush upholstered seating, spacious dining arrangements, and soft ambient lighting create a welcoming atmosphere that encourages guests to linger. The layout has been designed to accommodate a variety of dining occasions, from family gatherings and celebrations to casual meetups and everyday meals.

A defining element of the space is its ability to balance nostalgia with contemporary café culture. Heritage-inspired artwork and carefully curated textures reference the cultural richness of Old Delhi, while clean lines, open layouts, and modern detailing ensure the interiors resonate with younger audiences. The result is a setting that feels premium yet approachable.

Nature-inspired design interventions further elevate the experience. Lush green ceiling installations introduce an organic dimension to the space, softening the interiors and creating visual contrast against the warm palette. Combined with elegant lighting and layered textures, these elements contribute to an atmosphere that is both relaxed and inviting.

What makes Nazeer Zirakpur particularly distinctive is the seamless relationship between the food and the space itself. The design has been curated to complement the restaurant’s culinary identity, allowing guests to experience the essence of Old Delhi not only through architecture and interiors but also through its signature dishes.

The menu celebrates some of the most iconic flavours associated with Mughlai and North Indian cuisine. Guests can savour specially curated preparations such as Nalli Nahari, Chicken Changezi, Chicken Korma, Dal Makhani, Kadhai Paneer, Chilli Chicken, Arabic Mandi, and Chicken and Mutton Biryani. Adding to its exclusivity is the restaurant’s signature Khameri Roti, a traditional preparation available exclusively at Nazeer Zirakpur across the entire Tricity region.

Speaking about the vision behind the restaurant, Dushyant Sinha, Owner, Nazeer Zirakpur said, “Our objective was to create a space that honours the rich culinary traditions of Old Delhi while offering a contemporary dining experience for today’s consumers. Every design element has been carefully considered to make guests feel comfortable, connected, and immersed in the culture that inspires our cuisine.”

The project reflects a broader evolution taking place across India’s hospitality sector, where restaurants are becoming destinations rather than merely places to dine. Design, storytelling, ambience, and cuisine are increasingly working together to create memorable experiences that extend beyond the plate.

More than just a restaurant, Nazeer Zirakpur is a destination where storytelling, design, and cuisine converge to create memorable experiences. By seamlessly blending the timeless charm of Old Delhi with the expectations of modern diners, Nazeer Zirakpur offers an immersive journey that lingers long after the meal is over – transforming every visit into a celebration of culture, nostalgia, and authentic hospitality.

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Prior to this appointment, he served as Vice President – Group Category at bigbasket, where he played a pivotal role in driving category transformation, strengthening private label portfolios, enhancing merchandising capabilities, and scaling several high-growth business verticals.

Before joining bigbasket, Vishal held multiple leadership positions at ITC Limited, including Head of Buying & Merchandising, Group Category Manager, and National Category Manager – General Merchandise. His earlier experience also includes roles as Cluster Manager at Kmart and Hypermarket Manager at Choithrams.

His appointment comes at a crucial time as bigbasket continues to strengthen its retail proposition, private brands portfolio, and merchandising strategy amid rapid growth and evolving consumer demand. In his new role, Vishal will be responsible for leading the company’s buying and merchandising functions, with a focus on driving assortment excellence, category innovation, and profitable growth.

At the helm of bigbasket’s buying and merchandising functions, Vishal will play a pivotal role in defining the company’s retail strategy, driving best-in-class assortment curation, fostering category innovation, and delivering transformative growth across multiple business segments.

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IndiSip Café is inspired by the promise of bringing India to travellers, one sip at a time. The café celebrates the country’s rich beverage heritage alongside familiar comfort foods. Guided by Encalm’s commitment to creating memorable guest experiences, Encalm Eats blends innovative concepts, culinary expertise, and operational excellence to deliver thoughtfully curated dining experiences

Featuring signature brews in flavours like Ginger Cardamom, Kesar, Gulab, and Kashmiri Kahwa alongside iced lattes, artisanal coffees, and decadent shakes, the beverage menu pays tribute to India’s diverse drink culture while offering a contemporary twist for modern-day travellers.The food menu complements this with regional favourites such as the fan-favourite Masala Samosa, Khopara Patties, Irani Bun Maska and Achari Paneer Tikka/Chicken Tikka Wraps, alongside café classics like croissants, muffins and cookies.

Vikas Sharma, Group Chief Executive Officer, Encalm Hospitality expressed,”Encalm Eats marks the next chapter in Encalm’s journey to build a comprehensive hospitality ecosystem that resonates with today’s consumers. Food and beverage has always been one of hospitality’s most powerful expressions, and with Encalm Eats we are bringing together our understanding of consumer needs, culinary craftsmanship, and thoughtfully designed experiences to build distinctive food brands. IndiSip is the first step in that journey, reflecting our belief that every meal, beverage, and interaction should enrich the overall guest experience.”

The launch of IndiSip Café marks the first step in Encalm Eats’ vision to build a diverse portfolio of food and beverage concepts across multiple formats and destinations. Leveraging Encalm’s expertise in hospitality, the venture aims to create distinctive dining experiences rooted in authentic flavours, consumer insights, and operational excellence.

Deepak Bhatia, Business Head, Encalm Eats, said, “With Encalm Eats, we are building a portfolio of food and beverage concepts rooted in authentic flavours, strong consumer insight, and consistent quality. IndiSip is the first step, a café that brings together India’s rich beverage culture and familiar café favourites in a contemporary format. As we grow, every concept we create will be designed with the same focus on quality, consistency, and memorable guest experiences.”

As it expands, Encalm Eats will continue to craft distinctive culinary concepts that blend authentic flavours, innovation, and hospitality, creating memorable dining experiences for consumers across touchpoints. IndiSip Café at the Delhi Airport will continue to bring in purpose-driven culinary brands that celebrate great food, meaningful experiences, and the evolving needs of modern consumers.

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Founded by the family behind Oleander Farms, Saltt Karjat & Microbrewery, Common House, and Uppu Bandra, the new outpost marks a homecoming of sorts. Nestled within the lush surroundings of Oleander Farms, Uppu brings its authentic South Indian flavours to Karjat. The restaurant offers a dining experience rooted in nostalgia, tradition, and simple, honest cooking, becoming the town’s first dedicated South Indian dining destination.

Origin of the name “Uppu” lies in the word for “salt” across several South Indian languages. The restaurant celebrates the everyday meals that linger long after they are finished. Its dishes are familiar, comforting, and deeply personal, inspired by cherished recipes, fond memories, and the food traditions that bring people together.

Aaliya Ahuja, Founder, Uppu, expressed its origination and said: “For us, it all began with a simple Sunday ritual: my dad, his favourite South Indian restaurant, a plate of idli, and that same corner table. That feeling of comfort, rhythm, and food that feels like home is what inspired Uppu. After opening our first restaurant in Bandra, bringing Uppu to Oleander Farms feels incredibly special because this is where our hospitality journey began. It feels like bringing a piece of home back home.”

At Uppu, breakfast remains at the heart of the experience. Guests can wake up to freshly brewed filter coffee, crisp dosas, steaming idlis, fluffy appams, and comforting South Indian classics served amidst the calm of Karjat’s greenery. The menu journeys through the diverse culinary landscapes of South India – from Tamil Nadu’s beloved staples and Kerala’s coconut-rich flavours to Andhra Pradesh’s bold spices and Karnataka’s comforting classics. Every dish is prepared with authenticity and care, celebrating regional traditions rather than reinventing them. Whether enjoyed during a weekend getaway or a leisurely day visit, the experience is designed to encourage guests to slow down and savour the moment.

Now welcoming guests at Karjat, Uppu offers a soulful celebration of South Indian cuisine, where every meal is rooted in tradition, nostalgia, and togetherness.

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Kankaria brings extensive leadership experience spanning consumer goods, telecommunications, business transformation, and profit-and-loss management. His appointment underscores Coca-Cola’s focus on strengthening operational capabilities and driving sustainable growth across its markets.

Before joining Coca-Cola, Kankaria served as CEO, Mumbai Circle at Bharti Airtel, where he oversaw one of the telecom operator’s most significant markets. Prior to Airtel, he spent more than 14 years with Unilever, holding a range of leadership positions across sales, marketing, category management, business integration, and general management.

During his tenure at Unilever, Kankaria held key roles including Business Unit Head – Nutrition, Foods and Refreshments for Unilever Bangladesh; General Manager – Nutrition Integration and M&A; Regional Marketing Manager, South Asia; Regional Brand Manager, South Asia; Key Account Manager, Modern Trade; Area Sales and Customer Manager; and Business Leadership Trainee. He played a pivotal role in managing and growing leading brands such as Horlicks, Boost, Knorr, Kissan, Blue Band, Hellmann’s and several other nutrition and food brands across South Asia.

Over the course of his career, Kankaria has built expertise in general management, operations, marketing, mergers and acquisitions, business integration, innovation, and strategic leadership. His experience in managing large-scale businesses and leading complex transformation initiatives positions him well to support Coca-Cola’s continued operational and commercial growth.

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As India’s largest Chinese QSR brand, Chinese Wok has grown to over 270 locations across 52 cities. With Belagavi opening, Chinese Wok continues to deepen its footprint in South India, where it now operates 89 outlets. It is worth noting that Chinese Wok’s presence in Karnataka state has grown to 38 locations. The expansion is a part of its cluster-based growth strategy aimed at increasing its reach in emerging Tier-II cities. Belagavi has been identified as a promising market, supported by growing consumer interest in organised dining options and value-driven food offerings.

Arvind R P, Chief Executive Officer, Lenexis Foodworks said, “Our entry into the 50th city is an important milestone in Chinese Wok’s growth journey and reflects the increasing consumer acceptance of the Desi Chinese category across India. Over the years, we have focused on building a scalable and disciplined expansion model that combines strong unit economics with a consistent consumer experience. Belagavi is a natural addition to our network as we continue strengthening our presence across Karnataka and South India. Looking ahead, our focus remains on accelerating growth across emerging markets while building deeper category leadership through accessibility, affordability and innovation.”

The newly opened Belagavi outlet follows a high-street store format and is designed to serve both dine-in and takeaway customers. The location will offer the brand’s signature menu items, including Value Woks, Hakka Noodles, Kurkure Momos, Cheese and Schezwan Fries, along with a range of meal combinations.

What began as a single-city business a decade ago has evolved into a nationwide QSR network, with Chinese Wok now operating across 50 cities. The company noted that South India continues to be one of its key growth regions, driven by a large urban population, an established dining-out culture, and increasing demand for organised quick-service restaurant formats.

As part of its growth strategy, the company plans to expand further into emerging markets while consolidating its position in the Desi Chinese quick-service restaurant segment. The brand intends to continue its expansion journey across emerging markets, leveraging growing consumer demand to strengthen its standing in the Desi Chinese QSR category.

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Designed for today’s always-on lifestyles, bbinstant stores operate 24×7, offering a curated range of snacks, beverages, ready-to-eat meals, and daily essentials. Consumers can simply walk up, pick what they need, pay digitally, and move on – all within minutes and without any human intervention. Moving beyond app-based deliveries, the company is taking convenience into the physical world with smart retail kiosks strategically placed across corporate offices, residential complexes, and community spaces.

In a city known for its vibrant culture, bustling workdays, and late-night food cravings, bbinstant is positioned to serve a wide spectrum of consumers — from professionals working long hours to residents looking for quick access to essentials at any time of the day or night.

Commenting on the expansion, Seshu Kumar Tirumala, Chief Operating Officer, BigBasket said, “Convenience has always been at the heart of what bigbasket stands for, and bbinstant takes that a step further by putting it literally at your doorstep. Kolkata is a city that never really slows down, and we want to make sure that whether it’s early morning or late at night, residents and professionals always have access to fresh, quality products without having to step out. We are excited to be part of Kolkata’s everyday story.”

The initiative also deepens bigbasket’s presence within institutional and residential ecosystems, complementing its broader quick commerce network at a time when competition in the sector continues to intensify and consumer expectations around accessibility keep rising. The launch signals the next evolution of quick commerce, where convenience is no longer defined solely by rapid delivery times but by instant accessibility. As urban consumers place a growing premium on convenience and accessibility, retailers are exploring innovative formats that bring products closer to where people spend most of their time.

With bbinstant now rolling out across Kolkata, the city’s next cup of coffee, midnight snack, forgotten grocery item, or on-the-go refreshment may no longer require a delivery rider at the doorstep. Instead, it could be waiting just around the corner.

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Founded in 1984 in Oxford’s historic Covered Market, Ben’s Cookies started as a humble bakery and has evolved into a globally recognized brand celebrated for its British heritage, freshly baked treats, and dedication to quality. Renowned for its rich, indulgent recipes and use of premium ingredients, the brand has cultivated a loyal customer base across international markets over the years.

The new store at Ambience Mall brings Ben’s Cookies’ signature offerings to Gurugram’s dessert enthusiasts. Freshly baked every day, each cookie is made using premium ingredients including fresh butter, eggs, and generous chunks of real Belgian chocolate. Staying true to its iconic philosophy of “CHUNKS, not chips,” the brand delivers a rich and indulgent experience with every bite.

The outlet offers a wide selection of cookie flavours along with thoughtfully curated gifting options, making it a destination for both everyday treats and special occasions. Designed for true dessert lovers, the store promises moments of warm, freshly baked indulgence in one of the country’s most vibrant retail environments.

Commenting on the launch, Arjun Gehlot, Director, Ambience Group, said, “At Ambience Mall, we are committed to curating world-class brands and experiences that elevate our visitors’ shopping and lifestyle journey. The arrival of Ben’s Cookies, a globally loved brand with a rich British heritage, aligns perfectly with our vision of bringing the finest international concepts to our patrons. We are delighted to welcome the brand to its first Gurugram location and are confident it will become a favourite destination for dessert lovers.”

The launch reflects the growing demand for premium international food experiences and artisanal dessert offerings among consumers in NCR. With the addition of Ben’s Cookies, Ambience Mall continues to strengthen its position as a preferred destination for globally renowned brands, exceptional dining concepts, and memorable lifestyle experiences. It further introduces iconic global brands to Indian consumers, further cementing its reputation as a hub for premium retail, gourmet experiences.

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The private equity firm LongRange Capital that will acquire Pizza Hut’s operations outside Mainland China for nearly $1.5 billion, while Yum China Holdings will purchase the brand’s China operations for approximately $1.2 billion. The transactions are expected to be completed during the third quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

Yum China , one of the two buyers of Pizza Hut chain, has successfully transformed Pizza Hut into one of the country’s leading casual dining brands through localised menus, innovative store formats, and targeted expansion strategies. The Chinese business has demonstrated stronger sales momentum and profitability compared to many international markets, making it a valuable asset within the broader Pizza Hut system. The company has indicated ambitions to continue expanding Pizza Hut’s footprint across China in the coming years.

For the broader restaurant industry, the deal serves as another reminder that scale alone is no longer enough. Success increasingly depends on digital capabilities, operational agility, localized innovation, and the ability to adapt quickly to evolving consumer expectations. Research suggests that people today consume 21% fewer calories, reducing the likelihood of indulging in a third or fourth slice, thereby limiting demand for larger portions and repeat helpings. The acquisition will bring Pizza Hut’s Indian business under a new ownership arrangement, but franchise operations will continue to be handled by Devyani International Ltd. (DIL), ensuring continuity across its network of outlets.

As the QSR landscape continues to transform, Pizza Hut’s next chapter will be closely watched by investors, franchisees, and competitors alike.

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In his new role as Chief Projects and Customer Experience Officer, Sujoy will focus on enhancing customer satisfaction, spearheading transformational initiatives, and ensuring seamless execution of strategic projects across the company. His appointment comes at a time when customer experience continues to be a key differentiator in the rapidly evolving e-commerce and quick commerce landscape. A seasoned leader with more than a decade of experience at bigbasket, Sujoy has been instrumental in shaping the company’s growth journey through various leadership roles. His deep understanding of operations, customer behavior, project execution, and business strategy has enabled him to deliver impactful results across multiple regions and business verticals.

Prior to his elevation, Sujoy served as National Head – Projects and Business Head South, where he was responsible for overseeing key markets and managing a diverse portfolio of businesses. His leadership extended across several high-growth segments, including quick commerce, slotted delivery, subscription services, B2B operations, and smart vending solutions.

Throughout his tenure, Sujoy has successfully led large-scale projects aimed at improving operational efficiency, optimizing customer journeys, and driving sustainable business growth. His ability to balance strategic vision with execution excellence has earned him recognition as a trusted leader within the organization. Speaking through his continued commitment to innovation and excellence, Sujoy’s leadership is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening bigbasket’s market position and delivering superior value to customers nationwide.

Known for his customer-first approach and strong execution capabilities, Sujoy has successfully managed large-scale projects, driven operational excellence, and delivered business growth across diverse markets. His expertise spans project leadership, business strategy, customer-centric operations, and organizational transformation.

As CPCxO, Sujoy Jana will lead key strategic projects and customer experience initiatives, helping bigbasket further strengthen its position as a leader in India’s digital commerce and grocery retail ecosystem.

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