Air travel and train travel differ in several key aspects, including ticket prices, travel time, baggage allowances, and overall convenience. Some aspects make train travel more appealing, while others favor air travel. One of the great perks of flying is the variety of food available at airports. You can find popular brands like McDonald’s, Haldirams, Baskin-Robbins, and Starbucks for a quick bite or coffee. Now, imagine if you could enjoy those same brands at railway stations throughout India! That’s right! The Indian Railways has announced plans to allow premium food outlets such as McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, Baskin-Robbins, Haldirams, and Bikanerwala to open at train stations.
These spaces will be leased out through auctions for five years. The goal is to enhance train stations to match the quality of amenities found at airports, according to a Railway Board announcement.
Railway Stations Will Soon Have Premium Brands
On November 13, 2025, the Railway Board issued a notice to all Zonal Railways, stating that popular food brands may soon be allowed to establish outlets at railway stations. These establishments could either be run directly by the brands or through franchisees, with selection determined by the existing e-auction system.
This announcement introduces a new category called Premium Brand Catering Outlet to the Indian Railways Catering Policy of 2017. Previously, only three kinds of stalls were authorized to offer light snacks, refreshments, and beverages.
As per the updated guidelines, single-brand outlets will be permitted when there is sufficient demand and justification, ensuring they fit seamlessly into the station layout without disrupting existing reservation quotas for specific groups. Furthermore, premium stalls must go through the e-auction process for allocation, and each outlet will have a tenure of five years, in accordance with current licensing policies.
The initiative to provide premium food options aligns with the redevelopment of over 1,200 railway stations across India, especially in high-traffic cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad, which are being upgraded to support these outlets.
