Confidence in western QSRs remains intact, says Westlife's Amit Jatia

Western quick-service restaurants (QSRs) have gained from the Covid-19 pandemic as consumers increasingly gravitate towards organised players. In a conversation with Viveat Susan Pinto, Amit Jatia, vice-chairman, Westlife Development, which runs McDonald’s restaurants in the West and South of India, says organised players will get even stronger in the months ahead. Excerpts:

What has been the extent of recovery for Westlife Development in December quarter?

We have exited the quarter with a 97 per cent sales recovery in December. Month-on-month the business has been getting better, as the government relaxed restrictions. Dine-in sales in December was 83 per cent of pre-Covid levels,