Sbarro to open 100 fast food outlets in India

NEW DELHI: Italian quick service chain Sbarro plans to open 100 restaurants in India in next 5-10 years and has formed a joint venture with domestic firm Hotz Industries to set up fast food outlets in the country.

"We have plans to open 100 quick service restaurants in the next five to ten years and will began with Delhi by opening 10 such units here before moving to other cities," Sbarro International Franchise president John E Brisco said.

The company has earmarked around 20 million dollars (Rs 80 crore) over the next 10 years for expansion in India.

Brisco said Sbarro would invest around 175,000-200,000 dollars on each unit, but it can vary depending upon the location and other factors.

"We will be introducing fresh made Italian food like Pizza and Pasta, for which there is a big demand in India, although in the later stage modification will be made in menu depending upon the feedback we get from customers," he added.

The company would not enter the home delivery segment and plans to open co-owned and franchise units at malls, multiplexes, offices and airports.

Besides India, Sbarro is also opening food chains in many other countries in Asia and has opened more than 300 outlets outside US. It has a presence in more than 39 countries and is present in the Middle-East, Europe and Asia.