JKS Restaurants

Recreating Flavours Of India

Three siblings have reoriented London's dining landscape. Jyotin, Karam and Sunaina Sethi have received critical acclaim and industry recognition over the last 16 years through JKS Restaurants. A report.

The UK restaurant market is poised for expansion, albeit at a moderate pace. Projections hint at a growth trajectory, though restaurant operators have been grappling with escalating costs and economic uncertainties. The dynamics of restaurants' market share are evolving as branded outlets wield increasing influence and market penetration. Popular brands have been carving a larger slice of the pie through mergers and acquisitions, as well as by redefining the culinary landscape and consumer preferences. Besides, menu management strategies are increasingly being adopted for cost-effectiveness, as well as for balancing innovation with profitability amidst shifting market demands. With regard to cuisines, Asian brands are expected to lead growth, fuelled by growing preferences for exotic and regional dishes. However, the Italian cuisine's brand share has seen a steep decline over the past four years, reflecting the challenges facing mid-market casual dining chains. 

The UK restaurant market is largely driven by branded outlets, thanks to their   improved performances and adaptations. Restaurateurs are engineering their menu to navigate challenges they face. Currently, the nation's restaurant market is expected to grow through resilience and adaptation while riding out challenges and sculpting the future of dining. With a market value forecast of £19.5 billion in 2026, the industry is on a growth trajectory for a promising future defined by growth, quality and excellence.

JKS Leads From The Front

Meanwhile, three Indian-origin siblings are reorienting the UK's dining landscape. Jyotin, Karam and Sunaina Sethi founded JKS Restaurants in 2008, which have received critical acclaim and industry recognition since inception. The trio has changed the face of London's dining habits over the last 16 years through their restaurants. Their 30 brands include top Indian and non-Indian restaurants, including Gymkhana, Hoppers, BAO, and Berenjak, which have secured seven Michelin stars and four Bib Gourmands between them. 

For the sibling restaurateurs the major aim is about showcasing the food at their restaurants as close to that in India as possible. Their approach to preparation of Indian delicacies is different to the normal Indian-origin chefs in the UK, who usually present Indian food in a more Western style. The trio's sole objective is to recreate the flavours of their native country. 

In August 2024, JKS opened Ambassadors Clubhouse. This new Indian restaurant opened in five years has caused ripples among London’s food lovers. Ambassadors Clubhouse is an all-Punjabi restaurant that focuses purely on a particular region. It has on its menu food items from the classic papads and chaats to kebabs and curries cooked in traditional cast-iron woks and clay pots. The restaurant also serves food of Indo-Pakistani style to tickle the palates of all food lovers from the subcontinent.

However, Ambassadors Clubhouse has also adopted British cuisine with a touch of India, such as rabbit (Haryali Rabbit Keema Cheela), guineafowl (Guineafowl Changezi), and lobster (Ranjit Shahi Lobster Curry), which are typically not found in India.

Culinary Magic

Karam, Jyotin and Sunaina were set on different career paths but unintentionally dovetailed their interests into a family collaboration. Initially, the family funded the first restaurant, Trishna, and then roped in friends and relatives as investors in 2012 to expand the group. However, the family subsequently bought out the investors.

Karam, the eldest of the three, studied business management and worked in the kitchens of the ITC Maurya Sheraton in New Delhi, which is the home-town of the siblings. Thereafter, he went on to open a catering company. An accomplished and creative chef, Karam has a good understanding of the restaurant business. He is responsible for the creation of the Indian restaurant concepts, including the food, drink and decor, among others, in JKS Restaurants, including Trishna, Gymkhana, Hoppers, and Brigadiers. He has had a successful stint  at the kitchens of Trishna and Gymkhana, and has contributed substantially to securing the restaurants' first Michelin stars and Hoppers Soho to Bib Gourmands.

Jyotin, who runs the business as CEO, is a former private equity investor. He joined the Barclays graduate program in 2002, spending almost a decade with the bank. He was also associated with Barclays Ventures, a private equity arm. His responsibilities in JKS Restaurants include overseeing all aspects of the restaurant business, with a specific focus on finance, operations, legal, sales and marketing, and group strategy.

Sunaina was associated with HSBC and Sal Oppenheim in Frankfurt, Germany, after studying at Nottingham University Business School. She joined JKS Restaurants soon after her studies. She had been in charge of the wine procurement and front-of-house operations as the group expanded. She is in charge of the people strategy across the business, overseeing human resources, recruitment, and learning and development with an aim to encourage growth of all JKS staff. After returning from her maternity leave last year, she has primarily been focused on staff, beverages, training and charitable activities.

Partnerships

JKS Restaurants has a partnership with James Lowe, a renowned chef through Lyle’s, which has been placed in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants year on year. Besides, JKS has a tie-up with Wai Ting, Erchen and Shing. Shing Chung, his wife Erchen Chang, and his sister Wai Ting Chung are the trio behind BAO. JKS has also roped in Nieves and José hailing from Spain through Sabor. Moreover, JKS has renowned food specialists: The Cadogan Arms, The George & The Hound; Chet Sharma, a partner through BiBi; Luke Farrell for Plaza Khao Gaeng & Speedboat Bar; and Karan Gokani through Hoppers.

JKS Restaurants' philosophy is based on the attitude of relentless innovation, boundary-pushing and spontaneity. Its goal is to foster a culture of culinary obsession, genuine hospitality, entrepreneurial spirit and family values across the group. The siblings have plans to cross the Atlantic and open Indian restaurants in New York next year. With the plans afoot, the American food scene is likely to have some authentic and delightful dining experience soon.

In 2023, JKS Restaurants' turnover almost doubled to £50 million compared with £27.8 million in 2021. However, as per the restaurant management, it continues to face cost pressures in the supply chain and wage inflation, and a likely increase in rent going forward. As a result, it is looking for ways to improve efficiency across its restaurants, in order to lower operating costs without compromising product quality or service levels.

Awards 

JKS Restaurants has won a slew of prestigious awards: Since 2008 the group has received widespread critical acclaim and industry recognition. The selected awards include:

2015 — Restaurateurs of the Year, The Cateys.

2018 — Best Restaurateur, GQ Awards. And Restaurateurs of the Year, National Restaurant Awards.

2019 — Outstanding Achievement Award, Harden’s Awards.

2021 — Best Restaurant Group (under 20 sites), R200 Awards.

2023 — Restaurant Business of the Year 2023, Hero & Icon Awards by Peach 20/20.

2024 — Innovators of the Year, Restaurant Marketer and Innovation Awards.

The Michelin Guide has also honoured several restaurants within JKS Group, which currently stand at 7 Michelin Stars and 5 Michelin Bibs. Gymkhana holds Two Stars, Trishna holds One Star, Sabor holds One Star, Lyle’s holds One Star, and Kitchen Table holds Two Stars (the first in 2014 and the second in 2018). Plaza Khao Gaeng, Hoppers Soho, BAO Soho, Berenjak Soho and Berenjak Dubai all have Michelin Bib.

(Photos: Courtesy JKS Restaurants)

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