Ayodhya is the next travel destination of every Indian, all credits to the Ram temple Pran Pratishtha. Businesses nearby are thriving, and those who are far, are trying to break into the holy city to capture the pie.
Vegetarian KFC!
Riding the wagon is none other than the American food giant, KFC. The chain which stands for Kentucky Fried Chicken is known for its chicken. But as per latest reports, there is a twist in the scene since the KFC has been allowed to open the store with a distinctive twist to its usual menu.
The fast-food giant has been asked to go vegetarian, adhering to the city’s strict vegetarian-only policy. Vishal Singh, a government official in Ayodhya said that “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”. He further added that “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”.
Business & Pilgrim Influx
With the massive influx of pilgrims post the inauguration of the Ram Mandir, businesses, be local or global, have been forced to cater and adjust to the changing dietary preferences.
A Pizza Hut outlet owner Awadh Kumar Verma regrets not having the outlet in the city itself since the Mall of Awadh is around 8 km away from the Mandir. Despite it being outside the Panch Kosi Parikrama Marg, the store serves an `all-veg’ menu. He said that “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”.
Domino’s pizza outlet owner, Dinesh Yadav, is taking full advantage of the store’s its proximity of 1 km to the Ram Mandir. The shop, on the very first day itself, it “did a business of around ₹5,000,” said the owner. He added that “The construction work is still on. We cannot cater to the customers in large numbers yet. We will do well”.
