This week in F&B · 20 Oct
Festive season playbook: staffing, menu and delivery surge before Diwali. Plus 6 headlines, 4 events coming up and the number of the week.
The week in F&B — October 20, 2026.
The picture this week
Franchise expansion and multi-unit deals accelerate growth
Brands like Captain D’s, Hawaiian Bros, and Slutty Vegan are signing multi-unit development agreements and converting existing locations to franchises. Operators should explore franchise partnerships or multi-unit models to scale without heavy capital outlay.
Food safety violations and license suspensions disrupt operations
FDA crackdowns in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh have led to license suspensions, food seizures, and legal action against major players. Operators must prioritize compliance and regular audits to avoid disruptions and reputational damage.
AI and digital tools reshape QSR efficiency and guest experience
QSRs are adopting AI-powered kiosks, voice ordering, and self-service tech to handle peak traffic and reduce staffing pressures. Operators should explore these tools to improve operational efficiency and guest convenience without major capital investment.
New from Restronomics
Festive season playbook: staffing, menu and delivery surge before Diwali
Guide. Diwali falls on Sunday 8 November 2026. How to staff, prep, price, package and stay compliant through the festive rush.
ONDC for restaurants in 2026: is it worth listing?
Analysis. What ONDC is, how a restaurant lists through a seller app, what it costs, what order volumes look like, and how it compares with Swiggy and Zomato.
India restaurant industry statistics 2026
Explainer. Market size, growth, jobs, delivery share, outlets, taxes and eating-out habits for India's restaurant industry, each with its source and year.
Signal
- Why Food Recalls Cost Restaurants More Than They Realize and How Technology Can Help Recover Losses — Restaurant Technology News
- Mumbai Restaurants Eye 10–15% Price Hike, Industry Weighs In — Restaurant India
- Mumbai restaurants to hike prices by 10-15% from next week; your idli, dosa and dal-rice meals to cost more — ET Hospitality World
- Curefoods Pilots Budget Food Delivery App MegaBite — Inc42
- Restaurant food costs face uneven pressure in 2027 as inflation accelerates — QSR Web
- Menu price inflation is up, and wages aren’t keeping pace — Nation's Restaurant News
Events this month
- Travel Tech Asia (incl. Hotel Tech) — 21 Oct, Singapore, Singapore
- IFS International Franchise Show (Seoul) — 22 Oct, Seoul, South Korea
- Food Japan 2026 — 22 Oct, Singapore, Singapore
- World of Coffee Panama 2026 — 23 Oct, Panama City, Panama
The number
60% — Food and staff added together — what share of sales should they stay under?
Food plus staff is what the trade calls prime cost. Anything between 55% and 60% is considered good; above that, very little is left for rent, power and you. Source: TouchBistro, 2026.
Try this week
Labor cost calculator — Wages as a share of revenue, benchmarked against the band for your service format — QSR, casual or fine dining.