About a dozen U.S. restaurant chains were represented on a trade mission to India April 11-15, organized by the U.S. Commercial Service and led by Assistant Commerce Secretary Nicole Lamb-Hale. It was the first trade mission to India focused exclusively on franchises, and representatives from the American companies met with between five and 10 potential franchisees in each of the three Indian cities they visited.
Starting in the commercial capital of Mumbai on India’s west coast, mission delegates spent a day in a series of what were essentially 45-minute speed dates with potential franchisees. That was followed by a networking reception at the residence of the U.S. consul general.
The next day the delegates visited the city’s largest retail destination, the High Street Phoenix shopping mall, where they had lunch at California Pizza Kitchen, although most delegates slipped off to the local McDonald’s beforehand to try items such as the Maharaja Mac — made with ground chicken patties and a special sauce redolent with coriander, on a sesame seed bun.
That evening the delegates left for the south Indian city of Hyderabad for another networking reception at the Hyder Mahal hotel, where they were staying.
The next day, after more meetings with potential franchisees, they caught a late-night flight to India’s capital, New Delhi.
After another round of meetings the next morning, the delegates met with representatives from India’s franchise and restaurant associations and then visited a shopping mall to look at local and international chain restaurants.
That evening they had another networking reception, this time at the residence of the U.S. trade attaché.
The mission concluded the following day with more meetings and lunch with the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce.
Participating brands:
- Applebee’s
- BannaStrow’s
- Carl’s Jr.
- Denny’s
- Focus Brands, with emphasis on Moe’s Southwest Grill
- Johnny Rockets
- Pollo Tropical
- Rita’s Italian Ice
- Wendy’s
- Which Wich
- Wing Zone
Contact Bret Thorn at bret.thorn@penton.com.
