Ayodhya Welcomes Domino's Success, Offers Space for KFC Outlet If Vegetarian-Only Menu Adopted

In the wake of the flourishing Domino's outlet near the newly constructed Ram temple in Ayodhya, officials have expressed openness to the idea of welcoming a Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) outlet, provided it exclusively offers vegetarian items on its menu.

Vishal Singh, a government official in Ayodhya, stated, "KFC has set up its unit at Ayodhya-Lucknow highway because we do not allow non-vegetarian food items here. We are ready to provide even KFC a space if it decides to sell only vegetarian items."

The city of Ayodhya strictly adheres to a prohibition on serving meat and alcohol within the Panch Kosi Marg, which encompasses the Panch Kosi Parikrama—a 15-kilometer pilgrimage circuit around Ayodhya visiting sacred sites associated with the Ramayana.

Singh elaborated on the city's stance, saying, "We have offers from big food chain outlets to set up their shops in Ayodhya. We welcome them with open arms, but there is only one restriction, that they should not serve non-veg food items inside the Panch Kosi."

This move aligns with Ayodhya's strategy to boost its economic landscape, especially in the food and hospitality sector, leveraging the increasing religious tourism following the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in January by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Anticipating a significant surge in visitors, Ayodhya is projected to witness a weekly influx of 10-12 lakh pilgrims until Ram Navami on April 17, with sustained high footfall expected thereafter. This surge in temple tourism has fueled a positive economic outlook, leading to strategic initiatives such as offering space to popular food chains that align with Ayodhya's dietary restrictions.

As part of its broader development plans, Ayodhya is set to implement 161 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) valued at over ₹8769.52 crore. These initiatives, spanning various sectors, aim to transform Ayodhya into a multifaceted destination beyond its identity as a temple town.

The state tourism department is spearheading projects worth over ₹2020 crore, while the housing department is gearing up for endeavors valued at ₹3234 crore, marking a substantial push toward Ayodhya's comprehensive growth and development.