Bihar, a state laggard at industries has been one of the few exceptionally successful safe markets of hospitality sector in country, courtesy the ignited taste buds of Biharis here. During the past 20 years the state and Patna in particular witnessed an exponential rise in number of hospitality units. Another reason contributing to this was influence on children migrating to other states/metros for studies or jobs who when in city created demands for these leading to supply.
Country's most trusted brands have come up with their units in small town to mark their presence in one of the most prominent food consumer market of India. Seeing the unexplored potential and scope of the market here every other day hospitality giants apart from local entrepreneurs are making their way.
Twenty years back Patna's Mauryalok Complex was perhaps the only major market where the roadside munching gluttons could be seen but with the onset on new generation or Gen-X and city expanding its borders, the local entrepreneurs here felt the need to open their joints at new locations as well.
One in the series was Hotel Emperor on Sahdeo Mahto Marg and Shalimar Sweets, Kankarbagh. Before the new brands cropped the prominent names in the hospitality industry of the capital were Hotel Maurya, Hotel Patliputra Ashok, Hotel Chanakya, Hotel Samrat, Hotel Rajasthan and Mayfair Restaurant. Except Mayfair Restaurant all these names have survived the radical change in market. These were the spots were city's upper strata could be noticed. But with the emergence of middle class and rise in purchasing power the industry saw a sporadic change.
The first prominent name that thronged the city was Vau's Pind Baluchi, followed by Yo! China and then the city was flooded with other prominent names. The most recent on the list is the Burger Giant McDonald's, Sagar Ratna and Keventers. Despite the clause of self service it was a time when the comfort seeking Patnaites did not mind waiting in queues outside Pind Baluchi for their turn to feast on its moreish Dosas.
The opening of Yo! China was an achievement for the capital's foodies specially those loving chinese culinary. KFC and Subway also made it a point to be in Patna but on one side Subway failed to capture the heart of Patnaites and rolled back but KFC stole the hearts. KFC's slogan of #Finger_Licking_Good matched the expectations of young Patnaites especially those with a gush of Bangalore and Delhi which gradually infected the whole lot of youth.
In the midst of all these new hotels like Windsor, Panache, Gargee Grand, Patliputra Exotica, Vijaya Tej Clarks Inn and others started to lure customers. Now, customers had option and competitive market improved services at challenging prices.
Local players like old giant Pal Hotel, Basant Vihar, Bansi Vihar also revived themselves to match the expectations. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also visited one of the local restaurants for relishing on his favourite Dosa at Patna. The presence of South Indian food chain Dosa Plaza added to the choices of people. Raj Rasoi, one of Patna's most promising brands has maintained its quality and met the expectations of its visitors in every aspect from courtesy to delivery.
The sudden upsurge of new restaurants and hotels in Patna attracted food chains like Kapildev's Eleven, Yellow Chilli, 17 Degrees and prominent pizza barons like Smokin' Joe's, Domino's, Pizza Hut, US Pizza apart from Cafe Coffee Day, Sagar Ratna, McDonald's and Keventers.
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