Changing Demographics, Rising Incomes Boost Fast-Food Chains In India

Changing consumer habits and rising incomes are driving fast-food consumption in India where sales are growing at an average of 28% a year and now account for about $400 million of the $1.3 billion spent by Indian consumers on dining out.  While chains like such as Domino's Pizza and McDonald's struggled in the mid-1990s to compete with traditional food vendors and home-cooked meals, they adapted to local conditions by spicing up their menus, offering more vegetarian choices and affordable items. They are also now benefiting from changing demographics (some 60% of Indians are under 30) and a growing desire for convenience.