Assessment Period: January 2025 till date
Entry Closes on 25 October, 2025
(The entrant can participate in more than one award category if qualifies as per eligibility criteria and meets the definition of concerned award category)
Who can nominate: Food Service Chains, QSR: Indian Origin, QSR: Foreign Origin, Cafes & Juice Bars, Ice-cream & Dessert Parlors, Fine Dining, Casual Dining, Pubs & Bars, Kiosk/ Express Format, Food Court, Cloud (Dark) Kitchen, Travel Retail, Entertainment, Aggregator, any other Speciality Food Service Operator
Across Channels: Brick and Mortar, e-retail, Multi/ Omni Channel Retail.
(The entrant can participate in more than one award category if qualifies as per eligibility criteria and meets the definition of concerned award category)
Indian / Foreign Origin - A stand alone outlet or chain that was operating throughout the assessment period
● Speciality Restaurant - Primarily offering Depth & Width in Single Product Assortment
● Unique Food Service Concept / Format - For eg staff-less/ paper-less/ cash-less/ drive-through/ green/ kiosks in non conventional locations
A food court that has a common foodservice area offering multiple cuisines / brands / formats / concepts in a standalone location or within a facility (eg. Cinemas, Malls, Travel Retail, Entertainment Centres, Office Complexes, Leisure Locations, Hospitals etc. ). A food court may have counters of multiple food vendors with a common area for self-serve dining / take aways or may have multiple outlets with dine in facility.
An outstanding story of Cloud kitchens- single brand, multi-brand, store front, no storefront – showcasing their cloud / dark kitchen concept, ideas, execution strategy, implementation stages and payoffs/ results.
An outstanding story of business transformation in 2025 with details of planning, execution strategy, implementation stages and payoffs/ results.
A Food Service Retailer/ Operator who have successfully implemented a unique innovation or idea in menue design, display, and presentation unveiled in the year 2025.
A Food Service Retailer/ Operator illustrating achievements in effective marketing campaigns, conducted jointly with brand or individually, leading to store footfall and sales increases:
• Discount Sales Campaign
• Celebrity Endorsement
• Festival Campaign
• Mass Media Campaign (either print / radio/ TV or any other mass media)
• Multi-Media Campaign
• Social Cause Campaign
• Digital Campaign
• Launch Campaign
A Food Service Retailer/ Operator who have effectively implemented and leveraged strategies to create a better Customer Experience and loyalty during calendar year 2025.
Employee Practice: A Food Service Retailer/ Operator who has conducted the most effective employee practices during the year to maximize employee performance to achieve employer's strategic objectives.
A Food Service Retailer showcasing achievements in social responsibility through impactful initiatives in areas such as:
- Environmental Sustainability
- Community Development (e.g., healthcare, education, rural development)
- Employee Welfare (health programs, diversity, training)
- Ethical Business Practices (fair trade, responsible marketing)
- Philanthropy (charity, donations, social causes)
- Consumer Welfare/Engagement
- Waste Management
- Transportation & Logistics (EV charging stations, green fleets, bike-friendly infrastructure).
An outlet launch in 2025, having drawn significant consumer, industry and media attention.
Nominations may be filed in multiple categories by Food Service Retailer/ Operator in the following categories:- Debut Outlet
- New Outlet
- Flagship Outlet
- Concept Restaurant / Café/ Speciality format
A Brand that has previously been recognized by GSA / FSA in the Brand Debut of the year category is not eligible for nomination again in the same category for the brand.
An Outlet that has previously been recognized by GSA / FSA in the Launch of the year category is not eligible for nomination again in the same category for the outlet.
A Success Story of ONE Specific Outlet (operated by a FS global major / national or local company with a chain of restaurants or just one outlet) operational since 1st Jan, 2025 or before having shown outstanding performance in terms of YOY Growth in per sq.ft. revenues.
An outlet that has previously been recognized by GSA / FSA in this category is not eligible for nomination again in the same category for the same outlet. However, a different outlet may be nominated. The nominated outlet must have been in operation for at least the past three years.
An outstanding story of market expansion in 2025.
- New Market Penetration
- Trading Area Growth
- Store Count Augmentation
- Acquisition of New Customer Segments
The Quick Commerce Food Service Aggregator has demonstrated exceptional service by offering a platform or service that enables the efficient aggregation and prompt delivery of food and grocery items to customers within a short timeframe.
