The restaurant industry was the worst affected during the pandemic. Strict lockdowns due to Covid-19 brought businesses to a grinding halt. According to the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), the Indian restaurant industry shrunk 53 per cent. The contraction in the food services industry led to the permanent closure of over 25% of business operators, which resulted in job losses of nearly 24 lakh.

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The industry's shine returned only after rules eased but the industry faced severe challenges. The pandemic ushered in tremendous change as consumers are seeking newer ways to both eat in and eat out. Restaurants are adopting to changes to overcome challenges and catch the trends. Trust of the food handling process, delivery methods and demand for contactless transactions have become front.

Besides, nutritional habits are unceasingly gaining more attention and reshaping the industry and the relationship between food and quality of life. Restaurateur and entrepreneur Vishal Karia said that the pandemic taught us to take care of dietary habits and lifestyle, and as a result, healthy food categories are picking steam. The changes in the post-pandemic era, he said, have pushed the level of competitiveness to new highs.

He said that the adaptability of technology is paving the way for recovery and growth in the sector. "I see the food industry as a forever profitable business. As a food lover myself who loves to visit new eateries, the pandemic time was tough but the recovery post-pandemic is immense and the competition has increased manifold."

By the end of 2022, the food industry is expected to reach $899 billion in sales with contactless services in place and businesses upgrading their digital assets for a faster, easier and more seamless experience.

Speaking about the competition, he said that even though the food industry is quite busy as so many people love eating outside, it's also competitive. "Every industry is competitive. It depends on an individual if they want to focus on the competition or the growth of their venture. If my eateries serve good food, treat the customers with care and respect and give positive vibes, nothing can stop it from growing."

Vishal added that people should invest more time in perfecting their business than seeing what their competitors are doing. He said that there is no denying that contactless dining will be the future of the restaurant business. Packaging, he said, is one of the key factors of any delivery industry. "A healthy competition in all the fields in the industry is always necessary to improve the quality of services."