“India is a unique market. It requires tremendous local innovations in terms of products development,” says Rajesh Kumar Maini, GM - corporate communication, McDonald’s India. The ‘aloo tikki’ burger featured on the McDonald’s menu is a case in point.

“Similarly, McGrill is another innovation of famous Indian dish Shammi Kebabs. Our recently launched McSpicy range has been developed integrating right mix of various local spices and herbs,” says Maini.

Sunay Bhasin, marketing head, Pizza Hut, says the company has introduced a new range of pizzas with popular Indian ingredients. “Our new range of pizzas include Sev Puri, Chettinadu Paneer, Chatpata Veg Masala, Nimbu Mirchi, Chicken Achaari, Chicken Jalfrezi and Chicken Do Pyaaza. The Sev Puri Pizza has aloo bhujiya, while the Chicken Jalfrezi Pizza has chicken tikka and tandoori sauce besides onions, tomatoes, green chillies and cheese,” says Bhasin.

Besides this KFC boasts of a menu that is a mix of global favourites with country specific innovations. Dhruv Kaul, director - marketing, KFC India, says, “For India, we have introduced a whole range of innovative and exciting products over the last two years. The recently launched spicy range of grilled chicken has been attracting new consumers to the store.”

Chicking Fried Chicken of Dubai, already a established brand in South India, is a new entry to the north Indian market focusing on Halal meat. The chain offers Indian-style marinated fish and six-flavoured potato fingers. “Besides fried chicken we have especially innovated with the recipe of the fish, marinated strictly in Indian herbs and spices,” says AK Mansoor, CMD, Al Bayan group, which owns the Chicking group of restaurants.

Randall Tan Chin Boon, regional director - South Asia, Middle East & Africa, Singapore Tourism Board says challenges that come in the way of improvisation on traditional style of cooking such as not being able to procure locally available ingredients can also be addressed now. “Chefs are coordinating among themselves as well as through distributors to make ingredients available. This is an informal exchange.”

This article first appeared HERE.