Mumbai: Carnival Group, the operator of India’s one of the largest multiplex chain, Carnival Cinemas forays into the cloud kitchen business with Purple Foods & Beverages Pvt. Ltd. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Carnival Group) with 100 cloud units offering five brands – Purple Canteen (Non Veg), Green Canteen (Pure Veg), Red Bubble Cafe, Movie Munchies and Fresh Counter across its locations with an aim to serve a hygienically prepared and safely delivered food and beverages to the customers in association with leading F&B delivery aggregators Swiggy and Zomato. As a part of its first of four phased expansion plan over next two years, operations at nine locations in five states have started including Huma Kanjur Marg in Mumbai, Green Field and Kariyad in Kerala, Bengaluru and Belgaum in Karnataka, Nasrani Jodhpur, Galaxy Jaipur in Rajasthan, Allahabad and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh plus eight more outlets to open in Mumbai and Pune in next three months. The company shall also use a robust tech-enabled platform to manage the operations of all its cloud kitchens seamlessly.
Cloud kitchens are helping improve the restaurant supply ecosystem in India. In the past two-three years, the country has witnessed a huge rise in outside food consumption which has transformed the food delivery industry. Factors like traffic, parking woes and hectic schedules have made consumers turn to delivery for convenience but without compromising on quality or variety. The cloud kitchen simply takes the concept to a different, elevated level. The food options offered by Purple Foods & Beverages Pvt. Ltd. shall be up to 20% cheaper, compared to others that are not made through a cloud kitchen, proving the cost efficiency of the business model. With the current pandemic crisis, such services are now thrust in the forefront, and have accelerated the growth of and need for cloud kitchen set-ups. The key to success is a multi-brand model that focuses on the bottom of the consumer pyramid and offers quality and choices at affordable price points.
Purple Foods & Beverages Pvt. Ltd.’s cloud kitchen concept follows the 100 percent contactless preparation methodology. This method has been devised during COVID 19; wherein all the staff members of their central kitchen facility never comes into direct contact with the ingredients that go into the dishes with bare hands. All food containers and packaging material is not only just eco-friendly and 100% biodegradable but also it will be sanitized and carefully packed before dispatch.
On venturing into cloud kitchen concept Dr Shrikant Bhasi, Founder and Chairman, Carnival Group said, “Food is and always will be a huge industry. We understand the current scenario of COVID-19 pandemic is not very favorable for many existing restaurant and hotels. The idea is to think beyond it. We believe in providing healthy food options at the best in class price range. There is a huge potential in the cloud kitchen segment and that too when we have a strong network of around 150 plus theatres in over 120 cities across India so we don’t need to invest in the biggest expense traditional restaurants deal with: real estate costs. In sync with PM Mr. Modi’s Self-Reliant India Mission, it will generate employment for over 500 skilled workforces and shall take us one step closer to achieve his Digital India Mission with cashless economy made easy by digital payments. Over next two years we aim to invest around Rs 15 Cr for setting up 100 cloud units in our cinemas and two more Central Commissaries. With this new venture, we will ensure that our customers remain safe while having a delightful experience at a pocket friendly price.”
Mr Sony Ravindranath, Director & CEO (F&B), Carnival Group said, “With the COVID-19 crisis still ravaging the globe, the world as we know it has turned upside down. The F&B industry requires a new vision, and perhaps it is time for an overall change in the infrastructure, in line with the latest trends. We will make available our cloud kitchen brands like Purple Canteen (Non Veg), Green Canteen (Pure Veg), Red Bubble Cafe, Movie Munchies and Fresh Counter as of now to the consumers and shall add more in near future as per the consumption and demand patterns. Our USP is to use unadulterated good quality ingredients, no preservatives, no added color, Indian spices and to follow all hygiene protocols. Our most popular traditional Indian recipes such as curries, seera, sambhar and comfort foods – khichdi, pulao and paratha etc are all originated from Grandmother’s conventional kitchens. New social norms are propelling the masses to be more virtually active and less socio-physically engaged. Due to high demand and cost effectiveness, cloud kitchens are the future. Our restaurant brands that cover a variety of cuisines are constantly being developed.”
Separate cooking utensils and chopping boards shall be used for preparing and cooking 100 percent pure vegetarian food with necessary precautions at Green Canteen which serves a variety of cuisines in different categories including breakfast items, snacks, rice-bowls, food combos, rice, breads and curries. Purple Canteen (non-veg) menu shall include kheema paratha, kathi rolls, biryanis, butter chicken, chicken lababdar, fish samosa, chicken cutlet, oriental rice with kung pao chicken etc. Red Bubble Café (veg & non-veg) menu offers numerous options in pastries, dry cakes, pastas, pizza, hot & cold beverages. Your favorite in-cinema menu shall also be available at your choice of location now under the brands Movie Munches and Fresh Counter including popcorn, samosa, puffs, sandwiches, burgers, fries, maggi, nuggets, and tikkas etc in veg and non-veg both.
