Rating Rationale
November 17, 2020 | Mumbai
Chinagate Restaurants Private Limited
'CRISIL BB-' assigned to bank debt; Rating placed on 'Watch Negative' 
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.59 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BB- (Assigned; Placed on 'Rating Watch with Negative Implications')
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has assigned its 'CRISIL BB-' rating to the long-term bank facilities of Chinagate Restaurants Private Limited (CRPL), and has placed the rating on 'Rating Watch with Negative Implications'.
 
The ratings have been placed on 'Watch with Negative Implications' after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) made an announcement on August 6, 2020, enabling lenders to permit one-time restructuring of loans to corporates (subject to certain conditions) amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. CRPL has applied for restructuring of its term loan under RBI's Covid-19 Regulatory Package in August 2020, and awaits a formal approval from the lenders. The moratorium ended on August 31, 2020. As confirmed by the company's management and its bankers, the proposal is being evaluated. CRPL has not serviced its debt for September 2020, and its request for a moratorium on payments from September 2020, is under consideration.
 
The rating action is in line with CRISIL's approach to default recognition for entities applying for restructuring under RBI's resolution framework published in the criteria alert titled 'CRISIL's approach to Covid-19-related restructuring'.
 
CRISIL will closely monitor the outcome of the loan restructuring and its implications on CRPL. The rating will be removed from Watch and a final rating action will be taken once there is better clarity. In case of delay in receipt of approval from the lenders, timely repayment remains critical. Business was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has led to minimal occupancy and potential losses. Going forward, momentum in business and the company's ability to regain operational stability post normalcy, will be a key rating monitorable. CRISIL, however, believes that the impact, if any, on CRPL's long-term rating should not exceed more than two notches.
 
The rating reflects the extensive experience of CRPL's promoters in the hospitality business, the company's established track record with strong brands, and its moderate capital structure. These strengths are partially offset by the high fixed cost structure and susceptibility to economic cycles, intense competition, and geographic concentration in revenue.

Analytical Approach

CRISIL has treated unsecured loans of Rs 13.38 crore extended by promoters as neither debt nor equity, as they are expected to be in business.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description

Strengths:
* Established position with strong brands driven by experienced promoters and established track record of more than two decades of the company:
CRPL's flagship brand, China Gate restaurant, is one of the most recognised home-grown restaurant brands in Mumbai. The other brands, Global Fusion, Caravan Serai, TAP, Bora Bora and Red Box also have also a strong market position in their respective categories. The company has 18 restaurants across eight locations in Mumbai. The three-and-half-decade-long experience of the promoters in the restaurant business, and established market presence will help the company maintain its strong competitive position in its target segments.
 
* Moderate capital structure:
Capital structure and debt protection metrics should remain strong over the medium term. Networth was healthy at Rs 46.34 crore as on March 31, 2019, and is likely to sustain. Gearing and Total outside liabilities to adjusted networth ratio remained Moderate at 1.47 and 1.96 times respectively as on March 31 2019, and is likely to remain at similar level over the medium term.
 
Weaknesses:
* High fixed cost structure and susceptibility to economic cycles:
An economic downturn adversely affects the restaurant industry. Typically, fine-dining premium restaurants are more affected during a slowdown than quick-service restaurants or fast-food chains, as indicated by CRPL's modest revenue growth and operating margin. Though operating margin improved to 18.6% in fiscal 2019 (18.1% in fiscal 2018), it remained constrained by the high fixed cost associated with fine-dining restaurants. However, cost-saving measures taken by the management should partially mitigate the impact in fiscal 2021.
 
* Exposure to intense competition, and geographic concentration in revenue:
The domestic restaurant industry is highly fragmented, with unorganised players having 65% market share. Thus, CRPL faces intense competition and needs to continuously innovate in terms of menu and decor, to match the fast-changing customer preferences. The restaurants are located only in Mumbai, thus exposing operations to geographic concentration risk.

Liquidity Stretched

Liquidity is weak. Since March 2020, occupancy levels have been negligible, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown, and restrictive actions taken by the central and state authorities. Only the delivery segment of the restaurants were operational till September 2020, thus resulting in lower-than-expected revenue and potential loss in fiscal 2021. Due to this, the bank limits have been fully utilized. Liquidity is partially supported by funding support from the promoters via unsecured loans. The company had availed moratorium on its bank loans between April and August 2020 and has sought a one-time restructuring from its lenders.

Rating Sensitivity Factors
Upward factors
*Sustained improvement in scale and margin (to 22%), leading to higher cash accrual
*Regaining operational stability post situation of normalcy
 
Downward factors
*Absence of liquidity back-up in case of rejection of loan restructuring proposal by lenders
*Sustained long period of closures, which could result weaken the credit profile significantly
*Sustained stagnancy in revenues at below Rs 40 crore over the medium term.

About the Company

Incorporated in 1996, CRPL is engaged in the business of operating restaurants and cafe's across Mumbai. The company is promoted by Tamang family, and it operates 18 restaurants across 8 locations in Mumbai, Maharashtra. While, China Gate is their flagship restaurant, the company has other brands under its umbrella that include TAP, Global Fusion, Caravan Serai, Bora Bora and By-Chef.

Key Financial Indicators
As on/for the period ended March 31 Units 2019 2018
Operating income Rs crore 111.97 108.06
Reported profit after tax Rs crore 6.21 5.80
PAT margins % 5.39 5.15
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Networth Times 1.47 1.63
Interest coverage Times 2.90 2.84

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments and are included (where applicable) in the Annexure -- Details of Instrument in this Rating Rationale. For more details on the CRISIL complexity levels, please visit www.crisil.com/complexity-levels.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of Instrument Date of Allotment Coupon Rate (%) Maturity Date Issue Size (Rs.Cr) Complexity
Levels
Rating Assigned with Outlook
NA Term Loan NA NA Sept-2026 49 NA CRISIL BB-/Watch Negative
NA Overdraft NA NA NA 10 NA CRISIL BB-/Watch Negative
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2020 (History) 2019  2018  2017  Start of 2017
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  59.00  CRISIL BB-/(Watch) Negative    --    --    --    --  -- 
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Overdraft 10 CRISIL BB-/Watch Negative -- 0 --
Term Loan 49 CRISIL BB-/Watch Negative -- 0 --
Total 59 -- Total 0 --
Links to related criteria
CRISIL's approach to Covid-19-related restructuring
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies

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