“KFC has set up its unit at Ayodhya-Lucknow highway because we do not allow non-vegetarian food items here. We are ready to provide even KFC a space if it decides to sell only vegetarian items,” Moneycontrol quoted Vishal Singh, a government official in Ayodhya, as saying.

“We have offers from big food chain outlets to set up their shops in Ayodhya. We welcome them with open arms, but there is only one restriction, that they should not serve non-veg food items inside the panch Kosi,” he added.

After the inauguration of the Ram Temple, the city has transformed into a major pilgrimage centre. Local businesses and international food chains are now forced to recognise and cater to the changing dietary preferences.

Awadh Kumar Verma manages a Pizza Hut outlet in the Mall of Awadh, around 8 km away from the Ram Temple. He regrets not having the outlet in the city itself. However, it serves an `all-veg’ menu even though outside the Panch Kosi Parikrama Marg.

“Pizza Hut opened this shop around three months back when consecration dates were announced. We are looking for a shop at Ram Path because the crowd is in that area. We are having a fairly good business, but getting a shop there would set the cash counter ticking,” Moneycontrol quoted Verma as saying.

Businesses around Ram Mandir thrive

Dinesh Yadav’s Domino’s pizza outlet, on the other hand, is taking advantage of its proximity to the Ram Mandir. The shop is just a kilometre away from the temple, Moneycontrol added. On the first day itself, it “did a business of around ₹5,000,” Yadav told the publication.

“The construction work is still on. We cannot cater to the customers in large numbers yet. We will do well,” he added.

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Published: 06 Feb 2024, 09:03 AM IST