The food industry today is the second-largest job creator in India, employing over 85 lakh people, with projections to exceed 1 crore in the near future, said National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) President Sagar Daryanj.
Daryanj further added that the food industry is now the third-largest industry in India. To put it in perspective, the industry is 30 times bigger than Bollywood, he added.
“We have 1,500 restaurateurs under one roof, not just individuals, but 1,500 voices united by a mission: to make food delivery profitable, sustainable, and a win-win for all from restaurateurs to aggregators, customers, and the broader community,” added Daryanj.
At the NRAI Food Delivery Summit 2025, Sandeep Anand Goyle, Delhi Chapter Head of NRAI, stated in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta that the association should be given a voice in policymaking related to the food sector.
Some of the speakers present at the summit include Riyaaz Amlani, CEO & MD, Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., Kabir Suri, Co-Founder & Director, Azure Hospitality, Zorawar Kalra, Vice President, NRAI, Founder & Managing Director, Massive Restaurants Pvt. Ltd., Anshul Gupta, Co-Founder, EatClub, and others.
The NRAI has often been vocal against food aggregators such as Zomato and Swiggy. In January this year, the association stated it would approach the Competition Commission of India (CCI) regarding the “private labeling” practices of Zomato and Swiggy.
To add to it, the association also met Union Minister Piyush Goyal in January this year to talk about the challenges faced by the industry. “We were able to candidly speak our minds and thank him for giving us his valuable time and a very patient hearing. He has promised us quick action on all possible support and help needed for the betterment and growth of the sector,” NRAI president Sagar Daryani posted on social media.
Similarly, in 2021, the NRAI filed a complaint with the CCI, alleging that Zomato and Swiggy were abusing their market dominance. The allegations included excessive commission charges imposed on partner restaurants. Further, misuse of consumer data and preferential treatment given to their own cloud kitchens were also some of the points. Following this, in 2022, the CCI ordered an investigation.
