Ahmedabad: Gujarat’s restaurant and food services industry is entering a new phase of growth, with Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot and Vadodara emerging as important markets and GIFT City opening up a new avenue for business dining, corporate catering and premium food experiences.
The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) highlighted the state’s expanding restaurant ecosystem at a press conference in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, ahead of the 5th NRAI Food Delivery Summit 2026, scheduled for August 20. Ahmedabad alone has more than 20,000 restaurants, cafés and QSRs, while NRAI has more than 500 members across Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot and Vadodara.
The sector in Ahmedabad is estimated to be growing at 10–12% annually, with consumers increasingly experimenting with premium dining, international cuisines, cafés, QSRs and experience-led formats. The changing landscape is also reflected in the expansion of Gujarat-origin brands beyond the state.
“Gujarat is an important example of the shift happening in India’s restaurant industry,” said Pranav Rungta, Vice President – NRAI and Director – Mint Hospitality Pvt. Ltd.
According to Rungta, the combination of entrepreneurial strength, changing consumer behaviour and new consumption centres such as GIFT City could create significant opportunities for the sector. GIFT City, with its expanding financial and corporate ecosystem, is expected to generate demand for business meals, corporate catering and premium food formats targeting professionals and international businesses.
NRAI Ahmedabad Chapter Head Aanal Kotak, Founder of The Secret Kitchen, said the changing food ecosystem was visible across Gujarat. “Ahmedabad has a strong base of established and emerging restaurant businesses, while Surat and Rajkot add significant depth to the state’s overall market,” Kotak said.
Technology and artificial intelligence are also becoming central to restaurant operations, with businesses increasingly using them for menu engineering, demand forecasting, inventory management, customer engagement and operational efficiency.
The opportunity comes against the backdrop of a rapidly expanding national market. NRAI’s India Food Services Report 2024 estimates that India’s food services market could grow from ₹5.69 lakh crore in 2024 to ₹7.76 lakh crore by 2028. The upcoming summit will bring together 5,000+ attendees, 70+ speakers and 1,500+ brands from 30+ cities.
Among the key discussions will be the future of food brands, franchising, direct ordering, AI, restaurant valuation, loyalty and the role of GIFT City in connecting food brands with capital and global opportunities.
