The Illusive Celebrity Restaurant: A Sharp Dive into the Culinary Ventures of Stardom
By Vaishali Dar & Nikhil Merchant
It’s no secret that many celebrities have ventured into the restaurant business, hoping to leverage their fame to entice diners. However, the reality is often starkly different from expectations. An array of high-profile attempts has foundered over the years, leading many to question whether star power can actually translate into a thriving culinary enterprise.
Stars with Culinary Dreams
Globally and locally, examples abound of cherished figures trying—and often failing—to carve their niche in the restaurant landscape. From Priyanka Chopra’s venture Sona in New York to Sachin Tendulkar’s hospitality offerings like Tendulkar’s in Mumbai and Bengaluru, the star-studded list stretches far and wide. Former cricketer Virender Sehwag even launched Sehwag’s Favourites in New Delhi, but these establishments tell a tale of fleeting excitement rather than enduring success.
Looking abroad, household names like Jennifer Lopez and Steven Spielberg have faced similar fates. Lopez’s Latin food restaurant Madres, launched in California in 2002, shut its doors after just six years. Spielberg tried his hand at culinary innovation with Dive!, a themed restaurant in Los Angeles and Las Vegas that also folded by the early 2000s.
Star Power Isn’t a Substitute for Strategy
If celebrity status were a guaranteed ticket to success, the restaurant scene would be awash with triumphs. Yet, food critic Sourish Bhattacharyya weighs in, noting, “A celebrity association may get a restaurant some instant media attention, but nothing more.” At the end of the day, it boils down to the food, service, and overall dining experience that leave a lasting impression on customers.
Nisha Sampath, founder of Bright Angles Consulting, emphasizes that being a celebrity does not inherently qualify one as a savvy business person. “Working with the right partners becomes key,” she adds. Many celebrity restaurateurs overlook the practical aspects of running a business, leading to short-lived ventures.
Investor and brand strategist Lloyd Mathias highlights that the cornerstone of any successful endeavor is a well-thought-out strategy. “It’s about how you grow, distribute, have a great product or design, or get the right sourcing partners,” he explains. Without a structured approach, often marked by haphazard planning, the risk of failure dramatically increases.
Beyond Fame: Keys to Lasting Success
To maintain brand integrity, the product must resonate with consumers, according to Karan Taurani, executive vice president of Elara Capital. “Innovation in product is paramount, coupled with targeting the right audience,” he states. It’s crucial to invest heavily in marketing initiatives to establish a brand that customers can trust and connect with.
Gauri Devidayal, co-founder of Food Matters Group, raises a critical query for those in the celebrity restaurant space: "Is the restaurant hospitality-forward or celebrity-first?” She asserts that relying solely on celebrity for publicity is insufficient for sustained success. “If you haven’t got the vibe and the F&B program right, you’ve probably lost that customer for good,” she cautions. Initial celebrity buzz might bring customers through the door, but the enduring appeal hinges on the quality of the dining experience.
Shifting Focus: Success in Other Ventures
While the restaurant scene has proven challenging for many stars, a growing number of celebrities are finding notable success in other industries. The recent Candere Hurun India Women Leaders List 2025 showcases a plethora of celebrities excelling outside the culinary realm. Anushka Sharma is making waves as a co-founder of Clean Slate Filmz and her clothing brand Nush. Deepika Padukone is thriving with KA Productions and the skincare line 82°E, while Juhi Chawla supports Knight Riders Sports alongside her family. Other stars like Katrina Kaif and Kriti Sanon are also pushing boundaries with their respective brands—Kay Beauty and Hyphen, blending fashion and sustainability.
As the landscape continues to evolve, it’s evident that while celebrity chefs and restaurateurs may fade from the culinary spotlight, their influence is far from over in other domains.
—— Nikhil Merchant is a Mumbai-born food and beverage expert, consultant, and writer.