Kolkata's 24x7 rule could push late-night F&B outlets from 300 to 3,000 within a year
West Bengal's budget proposes amending the Shops and Establishments Act to allow 24x7 operations, a tenfold expansion potential for late-night outlets. Wow! Momo, with 100 Kolkata stores and 30 already open till 3am, plans 300 new jobs. QSR chains, dhabas, malls and multiplexes stand to gain on extended trading hours.
What happened
West Bengal Government · West Bengal's budget proposal to amend the Shops and Establishments Act for 24x7 operations could expand Kolkata's late-night F&B
Key facts
- 300 current late-night outlets
- 3,000 projected outlets
- 100 Wow! Momo Kolkata outlets
- 30 currently open till 3am
- 300 additional jobs at Wow! Momo
- 6-10 staff per outlet
Why this matters
Scout acquisition targets among Kolkata's 300 existing late-night operators before the tenfold expansion compresses valuations and dilutes scarcity premiums in the 24x7 F&B category.