NRAI Urges Member Restaurants to Adjust Menus and Optimize Fuel Efficiency Amid LPG Supply Disruption

National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) Issues Advisory on LPG Supply Disruptions

Key Developments:

• The NRAI has issued an advisory to its member restaurants to reduce LPG consumption and explore alternative cooking methods due to disruptions in commercial LPG supplies.
• Restaurants are being asked to prioritize dishes that use less gas, suspend fuel-intensive menu items, and switch to electric or induction-based cooking equipment where feasible.
• LPG prices have begun to climb, with 19-kg commercial cylinders now priced at around Rs 2,100–Rs 2,300, up from roughly Rs 1,650 a month ago.

Operational Adjustments:

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• Restaurants are being advised to rationalize menus by prioritizing dishes that require lower gas usage or shorter cooking cycles.
• Batch cooking, pressure cooking, and consolidating preparation schedules during non-peak hours are also being recommended to reduce LPG consumption.
• Restaurants are being encouraged to explore alternative equipment such as induction cooktops, electric griddles, convection ovens, and electric steamers to reduce dependence on LPG.
• Crisis menus focused on faster-cooking dishes and adjusting operating hours to conserve fuel during off-peak periods are also being suggested.

Industry Impact:

• 40,000 restaurants in Bengaluru alone are vulnerable to supply disruptions, highlighting the potential scale of the issue.
• LPG supply disruptions have already begun to hit kitchens across several Indian cities, including Bengaluru and Mumbai.
• Industry estimates suggest that 7–8 million establishments in the hospitality and food service sector employ over 70 million workers, warning that prolonged supply disruptions could lead to operational shutdowns and job losses.

Government Intervention:

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• The NRAI has written to Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri seeking continued supply of commercial LPG cylinders to restaurants.
• The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India has urged the government to exempt the hospitality sector from LPG supply restrictions and ensure uninterrupted fuel supply.
• The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has said domestic LPG supply is being prioritized amid the disruption, while oil marketing companies have been asked to ramp up production.