Haldiram’s has debuted one of the most imaginative and operationally elegant innovations in India’s retail and food service landscape — the Rail Coach Outlet. What began as a nostalgia-tinged idea has evolved into a compelling mobility-first retail model that transforms idle rail coaches into bustling dining destinations.
This initiative marks a strategic leap into non-traditional retail spaces by repurposing retired Indian Railways coaches into fully functional, air-conditioned quick-service restaurants. In doing so, Haldiram’s has not only reinterpreted India’s deep-rooted rail nostalgia but also elevated the commuter dining experience with comfort, hygiene, and brand familiarity—a first-of-its-kind in the Indian F&B sector.
“At Haldiram’s, we are proud to be present across major railway stations in cities like Bengaluru, Pune, Mumbai, Vijayawada, Nagpur and counting. Our vision is to establish a strong presence across all metro, Tier 2, and Tier 3 cities, offering travellers and the general public an elevated dining experience right at the heart of India’s transport lifeline — the railways.
We’re creating vibrant, state-of-the-art outlets that not only serve our renowned cuisine but also reflect the unique cultural identity of each city through locally-inspired interiors. Every location is designed to deliver comfort, convenience, and authenticity.
This initiative is fully aligned with the Government of India’s Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, and we are committed to enhancing passenger experience by providing high-quality, hygienic, and affordable food options. As we scale, we remain focused on our mission to blend tradition with innovation and serve millions of railway passengers with warmth and excellence.”
— Kamal Vaishnav, Head Business Development, Haldiram’s
From Rails to Retail: The Concept
The ‘Restaurant on Wheels’ initiative is built on a simple yet powerful idea: converting retired Indian Railways coaches into restaurant spaces while preserving their vintage charm. These outlets feature enclosed, air-conditioned coaches equipped with automatic doors, modular interiors, and custom branding.
Haldiram’s recreates the ambience of train travel through design elements like LED-backlit route maps, rail-themed seating, and vibrant platform-inspired decor. These aren’t cramped pantry cars of the past—they offer spacious, hygienic, and efficient service environments suited for today’s commuter and family diner.
The layout includes distinct seating zones, live kitchens or pre-plated service counters, display shelves for packaged products, and self-ordering kiosks. All elements are modular, space-optimized, energy-efficient, and designed for easy maintenance. Operating 24×7, these restaurants attract a broad demographic—from office-goers and students to families and curious travelers.
Scale and Impact So Far
The first outlet, launched in Nagpur in collaboration with Indian Railways, set the tone for rapid replication. Each new outlet is locally tailored but consistent in service, design, and operational ethos.
Repeat patronage has been strong, with about 68% of customers returning within 30 days, drawn by consistent service, the comfort of brand familiarity, and the unique setting. Ratings across platforms like Zomato and Google range between 4.5 to 4.7, with high praise for cleanliness, ambience, and value.
Similar Concepts in India: The Predecessors
India has previously witnessed various attempts at turning decommissioned transport vehicles into dining experiences. Notable among them are the Indian Railways’ own Rail Coach Restaurant pilots at stations such as Asansol and Bhopal, where old coaches were leased to private operators. While these enjoyed initial novelty appeal, they largely struggled with consistency, limited scalability, and the absence of strong brand support.
Some entrepreneurs took the idea airborne—literally—by launching restaurants inside decommissioned aircrafts, such as Hawai Adda in Ludhiana and Runway 1 near Delhi. These visually arresting ventures generated buzz but often remained one-time attractions due to limited culinary differentiation, high maintenance costs, and poor operational sustainability.
Metro cities also experimented with bus cafés, using double-decker buses as mobile or parked eateries. These were largely pop-up in nature, with constraints in seating, sanitation, and scalability, and lacked linkage with established F&B brands. In most cases, the vehicle was the novelty, but the food and experience did not inspire long-term loyalty.
Distinctiveness from Similar Concepts
Haldiram’s breaks from the mold not just by refurbishing retired coaches, but by integrating brand, design, and operations into a scalable and immersive dining format. Where others focused on novelty, Haldiram’s has focused on building experiential depth and operational viability.
What Sets It Apart:
- Brand Backbone: Haldiram’s brings decades of trust and national recall. Unlike standalone novelty ventures, this foundation drives repeat visits and customer confidence.
- Experience + Efficiency: These outlets are engineered for daily dining, not just occasional visits. Kitchen workflows and service models are aligned with the brand’s proven QSR playbook.
- Scalable Blueprint: Backed by Indian Railways and a replicable design, the format is primed for rollout across stations, metro zones, and highway rest stops.
- Heritage Meets Modernity: The experience honors India’s railway legacy while offering modern features like contactless ordering, air conditioning, and ambient lighting—without losing authenticity.
- Sustainability in Design: From anti-skid flooring to rust-proof materials and energy-efficient systems, the format aligns with Haldiram’s growing ESG focus.
Dining That Moves You
With its ‘Restaurant on Wheels’ concept, Haldiram’s has not only reclaimed a cherished slice of Indian nostalgia but also rewritten the playbook for experiential dining within transport infrastructure. It stands as a shining example of how iconic Indian brands can transform everyday touchpoints—like railway platforms—into destinations of delight and lasting memory.
This innovative venture has earned Haldiram’s the prestigious IMAGES Most Admired Retailer of the Year: Retail Design/Experience – Food Service at the IMAGES Retail Awards 2025. More than a design triumph, the project reflects the brand’s strategic foresight in building scalable, experience-led formats deeply rooted in Indian culture.
As the concept rolls forward with upcoming installations in Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad, it’s clear that Haldiram’s is doing more than serving food—it’s serving a story. And Indian consumers—hungry for both experience and emotion—are boarding this train in droves.
