NRAI Expands Footprint with Varanasi Chapter, Names City’s Top Restaurateurs to Committee

The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) has officially announced the formation of its Varanasi Chapter, further expanding its reach across key culinary and cultural hubs of the country. The newly appointed committee will serve as the voice of the restaurant industry in the city, driving advocacy, community building, and industry growth at the local level.

The Varanasi Chapter Committee will be led by Gurmanik Bhasin, Founder of Grub Hub, as Chapter Head. He will be joined by Harsh Jhunjhunwala, Owner of Sri Annapurna Foods, as Co-Chapter Head. Dishaant Badlani, Owner of Vaziri Brew Pub, will serve as Secretary. The committee also includes Ashish Gupta, Franchise Owner of Sagar Ratna, as Joint Secretary, and Garvita Kapoor, Owner of Wife On Leave, as Treasurer.

This launch is a part of NRAI’s broader strategy to strengthen its grassroots network and provide a unified platform for restaurant owners to address regulatory, operational, and consumer-related challenges collectively.

Founded in 1982 by stalwarts like L.C. Nirula of Nirula’s, Madan Lamba of Volga, O.P. Bahl of Khyber Restaurant, R.D. Gora of Gazebo, and A.S. Kamat of Kamat Restaurants, the NRAI is the leading body representing the Indian restaurant industry. It advocates for over 500,000 establishments nationwide—an industry currently valued at ₹5.69 lakh crores.

Now in its 42nd year, the NRAI has a robust pan-India presence, governed by a committee of over 30 top restaurant CEOs and owners. With the addition of Varanasi to its expanding network of state and city chapters, the association reaffirms its commitment to promote and strengthen the Indian food service sector through local empowerment and national integration.