How Covid pandemic took a big bite out of the restaurant business

Among the hundreds that shut shop were popular brands that decided to consolidate, explore other models

Known for its fine food and informal ambience, Indigo Delicatessen, or Indigo Deli, thrived in the Mumbai metropolis with close to 10 outlets sprinkled across the city. Then came the pandemic, ravaging industry after industry. And the restaurant business took a direct hit. Indigo Deli shrank to three outlets.

“I didn’t want to die under the weight of my losses and decided to accept the pandemic-induced reality instead of being brave for the heck of it,” says Anurag Katriar, founder and director, Indigo Hospitality, which owns the restaurant brand. “I was ruthless in culling the outlets. I can re-build the business,