Hyderabad: Amid an ongoing LPG shortage, eateries across the city are under mounting financial stress, with many reporting losses of 40–45%. Restaurant owners say the sharp rise in commercial LPG cylinder prices, which continue to range between 4,000 and 7,000, has severely disrupted daily operations.“We are left with no choice but to switch to firewood due to the LPG shortage, but this is not a viable long-term solution. We are also using induction stoves, but all of this combined has increased input costs nearly threefold,” said N Bharan, who runs a chain of restaurants.‘Wood cost has risen’“The cost of wood has risen, and we are spending more than we used to on LPG. Despite that, efficiency has declined,” he added, estimating losses at around 30%, with a clearer picture expected by the end of the month.However, this transition has brought its own challenges. The cost of firewood has nearly doubled. “Firewood prices have risen from 6 to 11 per kg. We order about 350 kg at a time, which lasts four days at one branch. Alongside this, LPG prices fluctuate daily between 4,000 and 7,000. We operate across multiple floors, but have had to close one. During Eid, and even two days before the festival, two floors remained closed as we could not cater to the surge in customers,” he said, adding that losses have exceeded 40%.Restaurant operators also point out that wood-fired cooking has slowed down food preparation, leading to longer wait times and reduced table turnover. “We have already cut down the menu. Food that used to take 30–35 minutes on gas now takes over an hour. Customers are unwilling to wait, and we are losing business due to delays and limited options,” said an eatery owner from Tolichowki.Meanwhile, the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), Hyderabad Chapter, said it is exploring alternatives to help the industry cope. “Restaurants are already using a mix of firewood, induction, LPG, and charcoal. We are now examining the feasibility of shifting to piped gas. While it has its own challenges, a hybrid model could help the industry navigate such crises, as the duration of the current situation remains uncertain,” said Sandeep B, president of the Hyderabad chapter.
