Radisson Hotel Group has signed an exclusive Master Franchise Agreement (MFA) with Tapas Club, a popular Singapore-based food and drink (F&D) brand, to roll out a series of stylish Spanish restaurants across its extensive portfolio of hotels in India.
Under the new deal, Radisson Hotel Group will have exclusive use of the Tapas Club name in India, allowing it to introduce premium Spanish cuisine to its guests, who are always on the lookout for new experiences. These lively restaurants will also attract local residents and non-resident guests to dine at Radisson Hotel Group’s hotels. The companyplans to open more than 10 restaurants in the next four years and will deploy top chefs trained in Spanish cuisine across its Indian hotels and resorts.
“Tapas Club is an excellent strategic fit for our business in India, where F&D trends point to the rising popularity of innovative cuisine. We are excited to introduce a new era of dynamic Spanish dining, tailored to Indian palates, to our hotels across the country. We aim to become flagbearers of Spanish cuisine in India,” said Katerina Giannouka, President, Asia Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group.
Tapas Club was conceived to bring contemporary Spanish cuisine to the Asian market. Already present in Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, its restaurants specialize in authentic dishes that embrace the vibrant colors and flavors of the Iberian Peninsula. This makes it the perfect addition to the Indian F&D market, where diners – especially millennials – are increasingly seeking fresh and uniqueculinary adventures. According to a study by Deloitte*, millennials now account for 34% of India’s population and spend almost a third of their disposable income on entertainment and eating out.
“We are delighted to bring Tapas Club to India and look forward to adding value to our esteemed guests and partners. F&D is an important area for our business in India and we are exploring strategic tie-ups with other leading, high-quality culinary brands to further uplift our presence in this sphere,” said Zubin Saxena, Managing Director & Vice President Operations, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group.
Rakesh Sethi, Radisson Hotel Group’s Corporate Executive Chef in India, will work alongside the Tapas Club team to create extraordinary dishes that blend Indian flavors with Iberian flair. The menu will comprise ofspecialty dishes such as paella, Spanish omelette, croquettes,contemporary tapas and delectable desserts. All dishes will reflect Indian palates, with plenty of vegetarian options.
“It is our privilege to partner with Radisson Hotel Group in India, where the brand has operated for over 20 years and earned a huge brand equity. We are working with experts like Chef Sethi, to delve deep into India's rich culinary culture and develop new dishes that will delight foodies all over the country,” said Jose Alonso, Executive Chef, Tapas Club.
Radisson Hotel Group now operates 94 hotels in India, making it one of the leading international hotel operators in the country. This strategic partnership with Tapas Club is the latest in a series of moves to enhance the group's F&D offerings in India.