Indian Railways has decided to permit well-known single-brand food outlets to operate at railway stations.
Approving the South Central Railway’s recommendation that well-known single-brand food outlets such as McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, Baskin Robbins, Bikanerwala, Haldiram, etc., be allowed at railway stations, as is done at airports, the Railway Board amended its policy on catering services to include the proposal.
In a circular issued to the General Managers of all Zonal Railways on Thursday (November 13, 2025), the Railway Board said that premium single-brand food outlets, either company-owned or operated by franchisees, could be allowed by following the e-auction policy.
However, there was to be a demand and justification for accommodating such outlets. Going by the Indian Railways Catering Policy, 2017, three types of food stalls are permitted in railway stations to sell beverages, snacks, and light refreshments. The ‘Premium Brand Catering Outlet’ was introduced as the fourth type of outlet.
The circular said the allotment of ‘Premium Brand Catering Outlet’ would be done as per governing e-auction policy in vogue by creating a dedicated segment for the purpose.
