From biryanis to sushis, what we see on our plates today is the result of an industry undergoing massive transformation. In a post that quickly gained traction on LinkedIn, Ananya Malhotra, VC at Anicut Capital, peeled back the layers of glam and revealed the real story behind India’s food service sector. Her firm’s 37-page deep-dive report lays out how the sector is set to grow to $85.2 billion by 2025, and nearly $140 billion by 2030.
But this isn’t just about numbers. It’s about a fundamental shift in how Indians are eating, ordering, and even thinking about food.
One of the most striking takeaways from the report is the rise in demand for global cuisines. Millennials, in particular, are driving this change—60% of them eat Chinese food about five times a month. Sushi sales on Swiggy touched 2.6 lakh orders in 2022 alone. Global food chains aren’t just entering the market—they’re adapting menus to suit Indian palates.
The digital wave is another major force. In 2023, food delivery platforms hit 50 million monthly active users, up from 20 million in 2019. People are discovering restaurants through Instagram, using self-order kiosks in QSRs, and increasingly opting for online ordering, which now stands at 12% penetration—up from 8% in 2019.
Meanwhile, the concept of health and sustainability is gaining ground. By 2026, India is expected to have 176 million health-conscious consumers. Many restaurants are now offering plant-based options and adopting waste-reduction and recycling practices.
Cloud kitchens are also having their moment. With a projected growth rate of 16.6%, they are becoming the go-to model for speed, convenience, and scale.
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Ananya’s post makes one thing clear: while the food might be beautifully plated, the business behind it is intense, fast-changing, and packed with opportunity. Whether you’re in the industry or just watching it unfold, this report gives a sharp view of where things are headed.
