IPL Matches and the Food Industry: How the Cricket Season Impacts the Restaurant Business?

Cricket is not just a sport but also a religion in India. Every Indian is a cricketer, we take great pride in winning a match and celebrate it like no other. For a population of 143 crore people, Love is in cricket. As the IPL season returns, it’s not just the players who are in for a wild ride! Yes, you guessed it right. The restaurant business is all set to boom as well.

One of the biggest impacts of the cricket season on the restaurant business is the increase in footfall. With IPL fever in the air, people tend to gather in groups to watch the matches together. This leads to a surge in demand for food and beverages. Who wouldn’t want to grab a bite while cheering for their favourite team?

Just like in previous years, many restros are hosting screenings and offering special packages during the IPL cricket league this year as well. They are trying to lure in more customers and make it an unforgettable experience for them. Many restaurants in India capitalize on the excitement and fanfare by offering promotions and discounts related to the league. For example, fine dining restaurants and bars may offer IPL-themed menus, discounts on food and drinks during matches, and screening of the games.

Another way in which the cricket season impacts the restaurant business and food delivery app is through promotions and marketing. They can use this cricket season as a chance to promote their brand and attract customers. They run contests, offer prizes, and even sponsor cricket events to gain more visibility. This helps to build a loyal customer base and increase brand recall.

For this TATA IPL 2023 Zomato’s got a new offer called ‘Zomato Premier League 2023’. Customer got to do is answer three questions about the daily IPL match and they could win some sweet free Zomato Credits every day. Last year’s ZPL was a massive hit and now they’re back with another one for this IPL season.

The cricket season also brings in a new set of customers to restaurants. Fans who may not have visited a particular restaurant earlier are likely to check it out if they offer something unique for the cricket season. This presents an opportunity for restaurants to showcase their food and service to a wider audience.

But it’s not just the customers who benefit from the cricket season. Restaurants also get to enjoy a boost in revenue.

IPL matches are always a real thriller, the food delivery app like Swiggy and Zomato will also have a blast as they will receive the highest number of food orders during IPL season. This proves that India loves both cricket and food equally. As the fans cheer for their favourite IPL teams, online food orders shoot up massively.

And that’s not all, guys! IPL 2023 just set a new streaming record! During the last over of the CSK v/s RR match on 12th April 2023, wednesday 22 million people were watching it at the same time! That’s like the entire population of Australia tuning in to watch our all-time cool captain MS Dhoni turn back the clock. It was a real nail-biter and IPL 2023 is definitely bringing in the heat!

The most popular matchday favourites like pizza and fries would be in high demand, and restaurants must stock up on their ingredients accordingly.

As IPL 2023 gains momentum, Swiggy appears to be benefiting from the excitement among cricket enthusiasts eager to watch their favourite players in action. A photo of 5 Swiggy delivery executives in an elevator, due to the rush of orders during an IPL match, is going viral on the internet. Swiggy experienced a 30% rise in orders on match days, and over one million daily active users during every IPL season.

Pic Of 5 Swiggy Delivery Executives In An Elevator During IPL Match Rush Goes Viral Pic Of 5 Swiggy Delivery Executives In An Elevator During IPL Match Rush Goes Viral

(Image Source: @kadaipaneeeer/Twitter)

So, there you have it, folks! The cricket season is not just about the players on the field; it’s also about the food and beverage industry. So next time you plan to watch a cricket match, don’t forget to head over to your favourite restaurant and enjoy some delightful food while you cheer on your team.

Restaurateurs out there be prepared to give cricket fans a dope food experience that they’ll never forget. Make your customers feel an emotional connection with your restaurant, so that they keep coming back for more and become our loyal customers.

Let’s get ready to enjoy the game and some yummy treats. Game on, we say!

Cheers!

Did You Know?

Are you’re thinking of screening IPL matches at your restaurant?

If yes, you must obtain permission from Valuable Media Ltd (VML) before screening matches, or you could face penalties. VML holds exclusive rights to commercially screen IPL matches in India for every establishment, including hotels, pubs, restaurants, etc.