NRAI and ONDC reaffirm strong partnership, refute speculative reports

New Delhi | May 1, 2025: In light of recent media reports speculating that the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) has paused or withdrawn from its engagement with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), we jointly clarify that these claims are inaccurate and misleading.

The collaboration between NRAI and ONDC remains active, deliberate, and forward-looking. In fact, both organisations are working more strategically than ever to shape a robust, inclusive framework that supports the growth and digital empowerment of food businesses across the country.

Sagar Daryani, President, NRAI, said: “We have not paused anything. Our engagement with ONDC is ongoing and purposeful. We are currently in the process of building a viable and scalable model and engaging in discussions through ONDC's Food Council which includes participation of all stakeholders, like restaurateurs and Network Participants and NRAI.

This is not a step back — it's a step forward, focused on doing this right. We continue to believe in the transformative power of ONDC’s open, interoperable network for our members and the broader food service ecosystem. Hoping to make this viable and work together”

NRAI’s involvement with ONDC Network has always been rooted in the larger vision of enabling restaurants to participate in digital commerce on equitable and transparent terms. As the network matures and its leadership evolves, NRAI is aligning its engagement in a way that ensures long-term value creation for its members.

Marichi Mathur, SVP at ONDC said: “We have an ongoing engagement with the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) and together, we are working to build an inclusive, transparent, and interoperable network that empowers lakhs of restaurants and food brands to participate in digital commerce on their own terms. This partnership is crucial to driving access, visibility, and equitable growth for food businesses of all sizes — from neighbourhood outlets to national brands. We are exploring innovative pathways that benefit both industry stakeholders and consumers.”

ONDC is built on a purpose: to empower food businesses of all sizes to grow and thrive in the digital economy. We urge all stakeholders to rely on verified, official communication and not be swayed by speculative narratives that misrepresent the ground reality.

About ONDC

Incorporated on 30th December 2021, Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), a Section 8 company, is an initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India to create a facilitative model that revolutionizes digital commerce, giving greater thrust to penetration of retail e-commerce in India. ONDC is not an application, platform, intermediary, or software but a set of specifications designed to foster open, unbundled, and interoperable Open Networks.

To know more, visit https://ondc.org/

About NRAI:

National Restaurant Association of India is the voice of the Indian Restaurant Industry. Founded in 1982, by L.C. Nirula of Nirula’s, Madan Lamba of Volga, O.P. Bahl of Khyber Restaurant, R.D. Gora of Gazebo, A.S. Kamat of Kamat Restaurants & other leading restaurateurs, it represents the interests of 500000+ Restaurants, an industry valued at INR 5.69 lakh crores. Being the leading association of the Indian Restaurant Industry, NRAI aspires to promote and strengthen the Indian Food Service Sector. The Association in its 42nd year has a pan India presence and is governed by a committee of members and led by a President and Office Bearers. The committee consists of over 30 Restaurant CEOs / Owners representing various national and international brands from the F&B sector. The association works closely with a network of State and City Chapters across the country.

Website:

https://nrai.org/