USA fast-food Italian restaurant brand Sbarro has appointed RTC as Master Franchisee for India in a deal which will see 100 restaurants opened in the country, with the first scheduled to launch in New Delhi by 2007.

"The India venture represents the company's largest international expansion so far," says Sbarro Chief Executive Peter Beaudrault. "There are 250 malls under development in India, presenting a huge opportunity. The menus will exclude beef products and meat-based sauces and offer a variety of vegetarian dishes to cater to the traditional diet eaten in India."

Sbarro is established in almost 1,000 locations in 30 countries.