Bhatia Hospitality Group Charts Multi-City Expansion for Common Time and Sidewalk

As India's café sector continues to evolve, hospitality brands are increasingly adapting their growth strategies to align with changing consumer preferences and regional market dynamics. Common Time and Sidewalk, operated by Bhatia Hospitality Group, are expanding their presence across key Indian markets through a measured approach that prioritizes customer experience, operational strength and sustainable growth.

The group has reported significant business momentum over the past year, with its Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) rising from ₹12 crore in FY 2024-25 to ₹48 crore in FY 2025-26. Building on this growth, the company is targeting ₹75 crore in revenue as new locations become operational. It currently estimates its valuation at around ₹150 crore and aims to move closer to ₹250 crore over the next year through calibrated expansion and continued operational performance.

A key aspect of the group's growth strategy is its recognition that café culture is developing differently across metropolitan and emerging markets. As a result, Common Time and Sidewalk are pursuing distinct expansion paths tailored to local consumer behaviour and spending patterns.

Directors at Bhatia Hospitality Group Jaivardhan Bhatia and Sagar Bhatia share, "In Tier 1 cities, consumers increasingly gravitate toward specificity and depth. Café brands no longer need to be everything to everyone, it’s specialisation, focused menus and distinct experiences drives the loyalty. At the same time, urban lifestyles create demand for shorter, intentional moments of pause, where coffee becomes part of everyday routines rather than destination dining. Tier 2 markets, however, operate differently. Consumers spend more time within café environments and seek spaces that feel warmer, slower and more communal. Menus often extend beyond coffee into broader food offerings and multiple consumption occasions, creating a different operating and hospitality model. Recognising these behavioural shifts, Common Time and Sidewalk are following independent expansion pathways."

In line with this strategy, Common Time is strengthening its footprint in Delhi NCR with upcoming outlets in Hauz Khas, Aerocity and Golf Course Road, Gurgaon. The brand is also preparing to enter Goa in August, followed by a launch in Mumbai later this year. These markets are expected to support the brand's focus on curated café experiences and urban consumers seeking premium hospitality offerings.

Sidewalk, meanwhile, is expanding into Banaras, Prayagraj, Bareilly and Dehradun. The move reflects growing demand for organized café concepts in Tier II cities, where rising disposable incomes and changing lifestyle preferences are driving increased spending on social dining and café experiences.

Despite operating in a sector often associated with aggressive fundraising, Bhatia Hospitality Group continues to remain bootstrapped. The company believes that staying self-funded has enabled it to maintain greater control over business decisions, growth timelines and market selection. Expansion plans are being evaluated with a focus on long-term sustainability, customer retention and operational efficiency rather than rapid scale alone.

The group also emphasizes that lasting success in the café business depends on consistency in food and beverage offerings as well as the quality of hospitality delivered across locations. While ambience and branding play an important role in attracting customers, the company believes repeat business is ultimately driven by service standards and customer experience.

With multiple openings planned across both metro and emerging markets, Common Time and Sidewalk are positioning themselves to capitalize on India's growing café economy while maintaining a disciplined and sustainable approach to expansion.