This is how the trend of Theme Based Restaurant is Among the Top trends in the F&B industry

To explore something new and delicious is always what the taste buds demand. This is why the food and beverage industry keeps on evolving and witnessing new trends with every season that passes by. Be it the inception of food trucks or about going ‘all-vegan’, the restaurant industry in India keeps broadening its horizons with new and innovative food experiences. Another major trend that is taking shape in the current scenario is the trend of theme-based restaurants.

Also known as the ‘concept café’, the concept of theme-based restaurants is pushing the boundaries of a conventional restaurant wherein everything is being experimented – from food to cutlery to ambiance and the experience. With loads of newness, concepts open the room for an experiment for the entrepreneurs in the industry.

Why Theme-based Restaurants are Trending

The basic element that is paving the way for the burgeoning concept of theme-based restaurants is the ambiance that it offers along with the food. In conversation with Franchise India, Utkarsh Chandra, owner of I Sacked Newton, a Newton theme-based  English bar and pub, reveals the insights of the industry. When asked about why themes are so popular these days in the industry, Utkarsh says, “You could contend that supper itself is an encounter. In any case, exceptional café subjects go the additional mile by including excitement. Remarkable eatery topics give individuals something to boast about, advancing your café all the while.”

The Most Popular Themes

According to Chandra, chic & Bollywood themes are some of the most famous ones. There are plenty of restaurants in Delhi who can satisfy their hunger with fun of Bollywood.  For instance, Garam Dharam is a first of its kind restaurant with separate sections of bakery, sweets and a casual meal, which is inspired by Bollywood veteran, Dharmendra. Rishab Proothi, MD, Garam Dharam, tells us what made him come up with the idea of starting Garam Dharam. Proothi says, "Bollywood veteran Dharmendra is everybody's favorite and has been ruling heart since his young days, His movies, his dialogues, and his songs are legendary, keeping this in mind we thought to give the capital its first restaurant inspired from the veteran actor." 

The music theme is another one which is for the music lovers who want to enjoy their food with music. Apart from these, quirky, color-based themes are in trend; a nice artwork on the wall and eye-popping colors are very appealing.

Operating a Theme-based Restaurant: What’s Different?

Operating a regular restaurant is quite different from operating a theme-based restaurant in a lot of ways. The cost of operation differs as the one that is theme-based requires a lot of other infrastructure than a regular restaurant. A theme-based restaurant can be started in Rs 40-50 lakhs (though the price varies from theme to theme). The feel is the most important thing while running a restaurant like this as it differentiates a high-end café from a typical restaurant. Everything in the restaurant has to be decided as per the theme, like the menu, props, atmosphere, administration, cutlery and designs, and the area – the place should have the look and feel of the theme in its totality. So, the maintenance of the restaurant requires much more detailing than a regular restaurant (although it's a one-time investment). 

Franchising: The Best Way to Expand the Footprints

In order to expand the footprints of a themed restaurant, franchising seems to be the perfect solution. In order for a debutant or emerging entrepreneur to become a successful franchisee in this field, a pinch of quirk and the managerial skills are much needed.

As informed by Rish Saini, Co-CEO and Director of Marketing, Underdoggs Sports Bar & Grill, “Management is typically handled by Underdoggs corporate team for the first year of operations while the franchisee finds their bearings, understands the business model & standard operating procedures. An investment of around Rs 4000 per square foot is the typical investment figure. Our footprint depends on location and ranges anywhere from 2000-6000 sq. ft. So an investment in an Underdoggs franchise starts at Rs 1 crore and upwards.”