Middle-Eastern Food Franchises in India

Middle-Eastern cuisine is steadily gaining popularity in India, with dishes like shawarma, falafel, hummus, and kebabs finding a dedicated consumer base across urban and semi-urban areas. Driven by evolving tastes and the rise of global food trends, Middle-Eastern food franchises are becoming lucrative options for aspiring entrepreneurs in the Indian food service industry. The appeal lies in the cuisine’s flavorful yet relatively healthy profile. Items like grilled meat, pita wraps, and tahini-based dips cater to both health-conscious and indulgent eaters. As a result, major metro cities and tier 2 cities are seeing an influx of shawarma outlets and Mediterranean cafes. Popular Middle-Eastern food franchises in India include The Shawarma Shack, Habibi Falafel, Go Shawarma, and Arabian Delites. These brands offer various models—from kiosks to full-scale dine-ins—with franchise investments starting as low as ₹5–₹12 lakhs for a kiosk and going up to ₹25–₹35 lakhs for larger outlets. The franchise support typically includes standardized recipes, pre-marinated ingredients, machinery, training, and branding, making operations smooth and scalable. With the growing demand for fusion cuisines, many brands are also localizing their menus by incorporating spicy sauces, Indian-style bread, and vegetarian shawarma options. Online food delivery and takeaway services further amplify the reach of Middle-Eastern food outlets. With low wastage, high margins on wraps and platters, and increasing consumer acceptance, Middle-Eastern food franchises present a strong business opportunity in India’s evolving QSR market.