KFC and IRCTC: How Train Meal Delivery Works Now
In 2015, KFC and IRCTC announced a tie up that let train passengers order fried chicken and burgers to their seats. At the time it was news because Indian train food had a poor reputation, and big fast food chains were only starting to deliver to trains. More than ten years later, the idea has grown into a large online meal service that covers hundreds of stations. This updated guide explains how the KFC and IRCTC deal began, how train meal delivery works in October 2026 and what passengers should check before ordering.
Table of Contents
Quick Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tie up announced | July 2015 |
| First rollout | 12 trains passing through New Delhi |
| Service name today | IRCTC e catering, app called Food on Track |
| Stations covered | 437 (2025 to 2026 financial year) |
| Meals a day | About 1,68,873 on average (April to June 2026) |
| How to order | App, IRCTC ecatering website or phone 1323, using your PNR |
| Complaints | RailMadad, helpline 139 |
How the Tie Up Began in 2015
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, or IRCTC, runs catering, ticketing and tourism for Indian Railways. In 2014 it began an online system that let passengers order meals from approved vendors at stations along their route. In 2015 it signed up well known chains to make the service more attractive. Domino’s came first, and in July 2015 KFC joined.
At first, KFC meals were available on 12 trains passing through New Delhi station. Plans were announced to extend the service to Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad’s Kacheguda station and Bengaluru’s Yeshwantpur station. The idea was simple: a passenger booked the meal ahead, the outlet near the station cooked it, and a delivery person handed it over at the coach door when the train stopped.
Who Runs KFC in India
KFC opened its first Indian outlet in Bengaluru in 1995. The brand belongs to Yum! Brands, but most of its Indian restaurants are run by large franchise partners, mainly Devyani International and Sapphire Foods. In January 2026 the two companies announced a plan to merge, which still needs regulatory approval. That model matters for train delivery: the outlet near a station is usually a franchise kitchen, and it must sign up with IRCTC or an approved aggregator before it can deliver to coaches. This is why KFC may appear at one station on your route but not at the next.
Why It Mattered
For years, passengers had few choices. They could carry food from home, buy from the pantry car or platform stalls, or go hungry. Complaints about quality, prices and hygiene were common. Bringing in known brands with their own kitchens and standards gave travellers a familiar option and pushed other vendors to improve. It also showed that delivery to a moving train, timed to a short halt, could work at scale.
How Train Meal Delivery Works in 2026
Today the service has grown far beyond one or two chains. According to IRCTC’s investor presentation of August 2026, its e catering service delivered an average of about 1,20,456 meals a day across 437 stations in the 2025 to 2026 financial year. Demand kept rising, and between April and June 2026 the daily average reached about 1,68,873 meals. Orders come from vendors signed up directly with IRCTC and from partner restaurants listed through aggregators such as Swiggy and Zomato.
KFC remains one of the listed brands, along with other chains and many local restaurants. Which outlets are open depends on the station, the time the train arrives and the kitchen’s hours.
Step One: Have Your PNR Ready
Every order is linked to the ten digit PNR number on your ticket. The system uses it to read your train, coach, seat and route, and to show the stations where delivery is possible.
Step Two: Choose a Station and Restaurant
Open the Food on Track app or the IRCTC ecatering website, enter the PNR and pick a station. You will see the restaurants that deliver there, their menus and prices. Orders can also be placed by calling 1323.
Step Three: Order Within the Cut Off Time
Each restaurant needs time to cook and reach the platform, so orders close some time before the train is due at that station. The app shows the latest time you can order. If your train is running late, the delivery time is usually adjusted.
Step Four: Pay and Receive
You can pay online or choose cash on delivery where it is offered. The delivery person brings the meal to your coach and seat during the halt and checks your name or PNR. Keep your phone on, as they may call to confirm.
A Short History of Food on Indian Trains
Food on Indian trains has changed many times. For decades, railway staff and licensed contractors cooked meals in pantry cars and station kitchens. IRCTC was set up in 1999 and later took charge of much of this work. Policy changes over the years aimed to separate cooking from serving, set up base kitchens near major stations and bring in more choice. Online ordering in 2014 and brand tie ups in 2015 were part of this push, and the arrival of food delivery apps on the platform widened it further.
Choosing What to Order
Fast food is popular for train travel because it travels well and is easy to eat in a seat. Still, it helps to think about the trip. On a long overnight trip, a lighter meal may be more comfortable than fried food, and many listed restaurants offer thalis, rice dishes, rotis and vegetarian options. Families with children often mix a familiar brand meal with simpler food. Drinks and desserts can spill on a moving train, so sealed items are safer. Ordering for the right number of people also avoids waste, since there is nowhere to store leftovers.
Tips for a Smooth Order
- Pick a station where the train halts for at least a few minutes. Very short stops leave little time for handover.
- Track your train’s live status so you know if it is early or late.
- Check the bill for GST and packing charges before paying.
- Order only through official IRCTC channels or approved aggregator apps. Fake numbers and websites sometimes pose as train food services.
- Keep the order confirmation until the meal arrives.
Hygiene and Food Safety
Food vendors in India must be registered or licensed with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, and IRCTC requires its partners to follow food safety rules. Passengers can still help themselves by checking that the packet is sealed, the food is hot or properly chilled, and the brand matches what was ordered. If something looks or smells wrong, do not eat it and report it.
What If Something Goes Wrong
If a meal does not arrive, arrives late or is not what you ordered, you can raise a complaint through the app, on the IRCTC ecatering helpline 1323, or through RailMadad, the railways’ complaint system, on 139. Refund rules depend on the reason and the payment method, and the app shows the status of each complaint.
Other Ways to Eat on a Train
Online delivery is only one option. Many long distance trains have pantry cars that serve set meals, and in premium trains such as Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Vande Bharat, meals are often included in the fare. Platform stalls and the railways’ Jan Ahaar outlets sell low cost food at larger stations. Carrying home cooked food is still common, especially for families.
To plan your stop, use our guide to NTES live train running status. If you are curious about the business side, see our list of franchise opportunities in India, and learn how to read the GST on a restaurant bill.
Passengers with food allergies should check the menu details carefully and call the restaurant if anything is unclear.
Group orders for families or tour parties usually need more notice, so place them well before the cut off time.
Night deliveries depend on kitchen hours, so late arrival stations may show fewer choices than daytime stops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I order KFC on a train in India?
Yes, at stations where a KFC outlet is listed on the IRCTC ecatering service. Enter your PNR in the Food on Track app to check.
When did KFC and IRCTC tie up?
The tie up was announced in July 2015, starting with 12 trains passing through New Delhi.
How do I order food on a train?
Use the Food on Track app, the IRCTC ecatering website or call 1323, enter your PNR, choose a station and restaurant, and pay.
Where can I complain about train food?
Use the app, the 1323 helpline or RailMadad on 139.