Restaurants Revel in World Cup Business Boom

KATHMANDU, July 8:  The sagging restaurant business in the capital has rebounded remarkably, thanks to the FIFA World Cup 2010 that has helped to draw in football fans at restaurants with big TV screens.



However, as the World Cup approaches the final, a big question looms -- what will happen to that ´business rebound´?[break]



Franchise Garden Restaurant has seen its business increased 50 percent after the start of the World Cup, as the restaurant has arranged a big TV screen for watching the matches live. “The restaurant business was slowly shrinking, but with the World Cup, particularly from the semi-finals onwards, business has gone up 50 percent,” said Deepak Bista, manager of the restaurant at Pulchowk.



He said that the frequent ads promoting World Cup viewing at restaurants plus growing football craze among young people are major reasons helping to expand business. Franchise Garden Restaurant is offering space for up to 60 people to watch the World Cup.



Ambience Restaurant and Bar is also happy as World Cup fever has helped bring boom times for restauranteurs. Business is now better than before as many football fans come to the restaurant and stay for hours during which they order varieties of foods and beverages, Nirmal Ratna Shakya, managing director of Ambience, said.



“We have seen business jump up to 40 percent during the quarter-final and semi-final matches,” he said. He added that most of his customers are local people and he is planning to stay open for the World Cup final also.



Similarly, Alina´s Bakery Café is one of the lucky restaurants enjoying increased business during the World Cup. Rameshwor Karki, manager of Alina´s, said, “Compared to a month back, we are seeing up to 15 percent more turnover these days.”



“Business before the World Cup was slowing down due to various problems but things are totally different now,” he said adding, “Different age groups from teenagers to old people are visiting our restaurant and beer, juices, alcohol and meat products are the most popular items among them.”



Nanglo Bakery Café, the largest restaurant chain in Nepal, has also been enjoying increased business and table bookings for the upcoming final on Sunday are encouraging.



“The visiting groups are mostly youngsters and we have been able to increase business by around 15 percent,” said Niroj Shrestha, manager of Bakery Café.



The worry for restauranteurs now is what will happen to the boom after the World Cup. It might be back to the situation of a few months back.

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