KFC’s India Sahyog program pledges support to 100 small food businesses in Hyderabad
- Program aims to help 500 restaurants nationally with business revival by 2022
Speaking of the brand’s efforts to support local restaurants in their road to recovery, Samir Menon, Managing Director, KFC India, said, “The restaurant business sector plays an essential role in the economy of a country, including the small and medium-sized restaurants. As a leading QSR brand that is growing with India, it is our responsibility to empower local businesses; this forms an integral part of our commitment towards the community we operate in. KFC’s India Sahyog initiative builds on the brand’s global commitment to lend entrepreneurial support to small food business owners, thereby augmenting the growth of the food industry in India. We have had a successful run with the first phase of the program in Delhi & Bangalore and look forward to support local restaurants in Hyderabad to overcome challenges presented by a post Covid scenario. Our intent is to take the program to more cities in the coming months, to fulfil our pledge of supporting 500 restaurants nationally by 2022.”
The Hyderabad chapter of KFC’s India Sahyog was launched through a virtual event, where Sh. Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary to Government, ITE&C Department, Govt of Telangana was the Chief Guest; Smt.B.Sumathi, IPS, DIG CID, Women Protection Cell CID, Telangana State was the Guest of Honour and Dr. K. Shankar, M.D, Director, Office of the Commissioner of Food Safety, Telangana was a Special Guest. The event also had a special address by Mr. Prakul Kumar, Secretary General, NRAI and Mr. G.R. Srikkanth, RAI-Advocacy Committee Member.
Sharing his thoughts about the importance of food safety and KFC's India Sahyog initiative, Sh. Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary to Government, ITE&C Department, Govt. of Telangana added, “I am truly proud that KFC India is beginning their next chapter of KFC’s India Sahyog program in the IT city of Hyderabad. We all have witnessed the distress imparted by the pandemic on an individual as well as at an industrial level. In light of this, the Telangana government ran a targeted program to digitize local kirana stores and it gives us immense pleasure that a leading QSR brand like KFC India has similar goals and has come forth to support the local food industry in Hyderabad. It is delightful to see that the brand has made it their endeavour to support local food businesses and help in their business revival. We welcome the brand in the city and extend our support to work together on such empowering initiatives.”
Echoing the sentiments, Dr K Shankar, Director, Office of the Commissioner of Food Safety, Directorate of Institute Preventive Medicine, Public Health Labs & Food (Health) Administration of Telangana added, “I would like to start by lauding the excellent KFC India Sahyog program – it is a true honor to have them commence their third chapter in our state. Through the pandemic times, we’ve realized that people require good food, good water, and a healthy environment to maintain their immunity, and to remain strong and safe from deadly viruses. While the people’s trust was shaken in consuming food from restaurants due to safety concerns, their love for Hyderabadi food and local fare has triumphed through these difficult times – so much so that restaurants across the state are recovering with an extremely positive trajectory. In order to ensure continued success, we are happy to welcome KFC to train the personnel at our restaurants and our promise is that the Government will work hand in hand in supporting KFC at every step. Thank you to all the senior leaders at KFC for encouraging the restaurants in the Telangana state to be and do better through this program.”
The India Sahyog program entails specially framed training modules on several facets of the restaurant business. Formulated to assist participating restaurants in recovering their businesses, it encompasses training modules on Enhancing Sales and Customer Service, Food Safety, Hygiene, Improving Profitability, and Sanitation. Participants would be given a certification by FSSAI, NRAI and KFC India upon finishing of the modules. In the past, KFC India has pioneered a street food vendor training program in association with FSSAI, training over 1500 street food vendors across 4 states on food safety parameters. In addition, the brand also undertook a Food Safety Officers capability enhancement program along with the State Food Safety Authorities.