Prashanth Rao Aroor (second from right), Chapter head of NRAI Mangaluru speaking at a press conference, in Mangaluru on Thursday.

| Photo Credit: H. S. MANJUNATH

The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), the apex body representing the restaurant industry in the country, launched its Mangaluru and Western Karnataka chapter in the city on Thursday.Speaking to reporters ahead of the formal launch here, Association National General Secretary Prakul Kumar said NRAI has been the voice of over 5 lakh restaurants in the country since it was established in 1982. Representing an industry with an annual turnover of ₹5.69 lakh, the Association intends to promote and strengthen the food service sector.Mr. Kumar said with 24 active chapters across the country, NRAI is working to provide training to the staff to meet compliance standards, skilling, industry research and similar other things. It is also doing advocacy for the industry at various levels of the government.1,000 targetStating that the undivided Dakshina Kannada has been the cradle for the food and beverages industry with many of the big names of the vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisine across the country having their roots here, NRAI Mangaluru and Western Karnataka Chapter Head Prashanth Rao Aroor said the Chapter intends to enrol at least 1,000 members in the coming days from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.Mr. Rao, the founder Director of The Avatar Hotel and Convention, said the Chapter has already conducted a food handling training to 25 people in May and plans monthly training programmes on various issues. It would also hold Town Hall meetings to discuss issues concerning the sector. The Association, Mr. Aroor said, is striving to get the ‘industry’ tag to food sector.Energy crisisSpeaking about the energy crisis affecting the industry, Mr. Aroor said the Central government should ensure study supply of LPG, notwithstanding the pricing, as a short-term measure. As a long term measure, the government should hasten the piped natural gas (PNG) supply, he said.Besides Mr. Aroor, the Mangaluru Chapter office-bearers include Dane Dsouza, partner, The Village Restaurant as Co-head; Spindrift Brewpub and Thyme Restaurant partner Ashwin Rai as Secretary and Curry Work & Asian Patio founder Sudhakar Poonja as treasurer, among others. Published - June 04, 2026 08:07 pm IST