Bengaluru's high streets—including Indiranagar, Koramangala, and HSR Layout—have recorded a 14% drop in dine-in foot traffic over the last quarter. Local restaurateurs point to hybrid remote work schedules and aggressive aggregator discounts as the primary drivers.
With more tech workers cooking at home or ordering food online, physical venues are operating under-capacity on weekdays. Rising real estate rental costs in these prime areas are squeezing restaurant margins, forcing many brands to pivot towards delivery-only models or branded direct-ordering apps.
To counter this dip, forward-thinking restaurants are introducing unique mid-week events, interactive masterclasses, and digital loyalty programs. By bypassing aggregators and running direct marketing campaigns, operators are successfully rebuilding their weekday margins.
Using integrated customer relationship software, restaurants can run targeted campaigns offering free appetizers or loyalty points directly via WhatsApp, bypass commission-heavy food apps, and build stronger relationships with local guests.
"Restaurateurs cannot afford to wait for footfalls. They must take control of their customer database and bring ordering channels direct to their patrons' phones."
— Sanjay Kumar, President of Bengaluru Restaurant Union