Structure of the Catering Industry: A Brief Description

The structure of the catering industry includes both commercial and non-commercial catering establishments. Some of the more popular and common ones are as under:

Five Star Hotels

These usually have several restaurants, grill rooms, ethnic (Indian, Chinese, Italian, etc. among the most popular), European and coffee shops are included. Service in these hotels is usually attentive and entertainment is nearly always available. Prices in these establishments tend to be high.

Medium Class Hotels

Similar to the five-star hotels, though surroundings are less luxurious and prices are reflected in this.

Free Standing Restaurants

Often quite high class, offering good Ala Ca rte menus- service is usually of a high standard.

Snacks Bar

It is popular with the working public offering everyday fare, at very reasonable prices.

Fast Food Centres

The “eating out” of 80’s growing in popularity in India especially with the young, these restaurants offer fast, clean service at popular prices. Service is minimal and turnover is high.

Night Clubs

It usually situated only in larger cities and offering high-class entertainment with food.

Industrial Canteens

Industrial canteens are operated as a facility to staff in large factories or similar. Food of a high standard but managements working to tight budgets. Food cost is usually subsidised consequently staff pay minimal prices.

Institutional Catering

Usually, hospitals are serving high nutritional standards of food.

Airline Catering

A big business operation, serving good quality food in difficult and limited service areas. Competition is tough in this sector to maintain high standards.

Railway Catering

It is similar to airlines, and although this was a prestigious area of catering. The fifties to the seventies saw a gradual decline which fortunately is being rectified as the 80’s progress.

Outdoor catering

It is a growing industry within the industry. Many Service staff involved in these sometimes complicated operations.