TBM Staff - Hyderabad As the country returns to post-pandemic normalcy, and millions of Indians return to their favorite restaurants, pubs and bars, leading Bengaluru-based hospitality chain, VRO Hospitality is back in an expansion mode. The group has entered two of the biggest markets for travel & hospitality, i.e. Mumbai & Goa with an ambition of a pan-India presence.
With its iconic French café brand ‘Café Noir’, the group is set to take up all of 1,000 sqft at the new Lodha World estate in Mumbai’s Lower Parel. It is also unveiling a new brand ‘Taki Taki’, which will deliver some of the finest Japanese flavours within the same Lodha premises.
By the end of the month, VRO also plans to launch into one the biggest hospitality destinations in the country, Goa with another equally successful brand ‘Mirage’ at the popular Vagator Beach.
Commenting on the group’s ambitious expansion plans, VRO co-founder Dawn Thomas said: “Millions of Indian food lovers have been on the edge for over a year and a half, craving for luxurious & memorable indulgences with friends & family. As social beings, restaurants & cafés have been the primary destination for us to fraternise, share moments of candor & create new memories. Over the past 18 months, we have been channelling our focus & energy into acquiring and building new brands. As food lovers return to their favorite restaurants & cafés in town, on the hunt for great experiences, we have planned some truly amazing openings in the most vibrant markets across India! Let’s just say, we are taking their business of having fun very seriously.”
Besides Café Noir, VRO Hospitality also acquired Fava, Plan B, Caperberry, and One Night in Bangkok that were transiting from the F&B space last year. The acquisitions were followed by a fresh round of funding (Series A) this year worth $3 million and will help VRO take their diverse portfolio across India. Around 80% of the Series A funding, which was led by Creed Capital, will be going into expansion as VRO is planning to add 16 new projects in Bengaluru, Goa, Mumbai, Kochi, and Chennai.
Co-founder Sharath Rice, an experienced restaurateur adds how the fresh round of funding will accelerate VRO’s growth. “Our funding has come at the right time when the hospitality industry is seeing a sudden rise in consumer demand. Café Noir’s DNA is in sync with Mumbai’s culinary culture, and the pent-up demand augurs well for the industry and this will act as a catalyst for growth at a time when we are focused on expansion. We are confident that the ambience and the wide menu will give our patrons an experience to remember.”
