Page 14 - HBiz_December_2023

interview

‘You have to create your own army, Q Is there a need for specialised

institutions to ensure a quality
not borrow someone else’s’ workforce? What steps have you taken in
this direction?
People keep complaining admi nahin milta,
admi nahin milta. You have to create your
Having pioneered South Indian food under the Kamats brand, Dr. Vikram own army, not borrow someone else’s.
Kamat, Chairman and Founder of VITS Kamat group talks to Sumit Jha Manpower is a critical function for our
industry and our business in particular.
about the growth and future plans for the Group, with growing number of What we have done is change our systems
hotels under the VITS Hotels brand and the Kamats Legacy. and processes so that we can make ordinary
people extraordinary through small, simple
trainings that add the X factor to them. We
are coming across Mumbai and Pune in the have also made our own skill academy, which
next 8 to 12 months. is the KHAS-Kamats Hospitality Academy
of Skill, which has India’s only earn-and-
Q What is the model right now - self- learn program for hospitality, where you
can complete your 12th or graduation
operated or franchise? How would
this legacy go forward, and to which while earning 7,000 and 16,000 per month,
places in India? Are there plans to go respectively. Then the students get the benefit
international? of being able to join our management in any
Presently, all these outlets are company-owned program and build careers from there.
and operated. As the pioneers of franchising, we
have already made the module for franchising, What are the future plans for your hotel
which we are using for some markets, especially operations? What are the growth areas?
international markets, where we have received Hotels continue to grow for us, both in
tremendous responses. We are also looking at management and in lease functions. We
some sort of joint venture model for the USA, continue to add at least six hotels per year,
Canada, etc. which we should increase in the coming
years.
Q Given your inclination towards Kamats is a brand that has seen
authenticity, tell us about the unique
packaging that you have introduced. Q tremendous growth and is one of the
We already spend a substantial amount on most reliable names for those on the roads.
research and development with our own How have you seen the brand evolve, and
Q In a short span of time, Kamats RND team, where we have come up with what is in store for the future?
Legacy has created a niche for itself.
Yes, as they say, changes are the only
numerous manpower-saving and design
What initiated this project? What makes improvements techniques to make South constant, and with time you would have
this project unique and special? Indian food faster and easier with less skilled seen it change in the Carmas Interiors
Being the leaders in authentic South Indian manpower. Similarly, in order to crack the service formats and, to some extent,
food under our brands, we realised that there delivery problems associated with South additional products and services, but what
was so much more to offer in this cuisine Indian, despite South Indian being one of has not changed at all is what Kama stands
that we were unable to do with our well- the top items for eating at home, logistics and for, which is hot, healthy, and hygienic food
recognised brand, Kamats. And hence, we food not reaching in pristine condition were that can be eaten for a healthy lifestyle.
realised the need for a premium, authentic the major challenges that we solved with our
brand focused on pure vegetarian Indian design innovations like the Dosa box. Q Over the last couple of years, there
food from five states. has been unprecedented growth in
Q How has the hospitality business the hospitality business and also in the
Q Tell us about the future plans for the been for your organization? Tell us number of hotels that are opening up or
Kamats Legacy. about the group in numbers. planned to be opened. Where do you see
We are already growing with numerous Across the group, we have over 35 standalone the Indian hospitality industry in the next
outlets. Already using a network of hotels restaurants. 10 years? What must the industry and its
where Kamats are there, like Dwarka, 21 hotels are operational, and 9 are yet to players be cautious about?
Somnath, Surat, Silvassa, etc., where up- open. The hotel industry will continue to grow
market Kamats have been there since before Over 1200 rooms because the market is so underserved, and
Legacy. We introduced those menus to the And 2500 covers the main challenges that will remain in India
NFC and got amazing responses. Of course, Total employees across the chain: over 3000 are the cost of capital and money. Of course,
being older outlets, we could not manage overregulation and compliance are subject to
the full dining experience, but we will be How have you managed to keep your hotels and restaurants as a whole. n
planning that as well. Brand new legacies manpower requirements under control? sumit.jha@saffronsynergies.in

164 14 Hospitality Biz | DecemBer 2023 | www.HospitalityBizinDia.com