The next wave of food brands in Punjab will not open in Ludhiana or Amritsar; it will open in the state’s tier-3 cities and towns. They have growing incomes, young families, students and NRI-linked households, and very few quality pizza and burger brands. This guide lists every tier-3 city in Punjab, region by region, and explains why TAG USA is looking for franchise partners in all of them.
What is a tier-3 city in Punjab?
What counts as tier-3 in Punjab? Under the central government’s city classification used for house rent allowance (7th Pay Commission), only Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ludhiana are Y-class (tier-2) cities in Punjab. Every other city and town in the state is Z-class, commonly called tier-3.
That means almost all of Punjab, from district headquarters such as Patiala and Bathinda to market towns such as Khanna, Phagwara and Batala, is tier-3 territory.
Complete list of tier-3 cities in Punjab
| Region | Tier-3 cities and towns | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| West Malwa | Bathinda, Mansa, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Malout, Gidderbaha, Faridkot, Kotkapura, Ferozepur, Zira, Fazilka, Abohar, Jalalabad, Rampura Phul, Talwandi Sabo, Budhlada | West Malwa guide |
| East Malwa | Patiala, Rajpura, Nabha, Samana, Sangrur, Sunam, Dhuri, Barnala, Malerkotla, Moga, Khanna, Jagraon, Raikot, Ahmedgarh | East Malwa guide |
| Doaba | Hoshiarpur, Mukerian, Dasuya, Garhshankar, Kapurthala, Phagwara, Sultanpur Lodhi, Nawanshahr (SBS Nagar), Banga, Nakodar, Phillaur, Adampur | Doaba guide |
| Majha | Gurdaspur, Batala, Dinanagar, Qadian, Dhariwal, Dera Baba Nanak, Pathankot, Sujanpur, Tarn Taran, Patti, Ajnala | Majha guide |
| Around Chandigarh | Mohali (SAS Nagar), Kharar, Zirakpur, Dera Bassi, Lalru, Banur, Kurali, Rupnagar, Morinda, Chamkaur Sahib, Anandpur Sahib, Nangal, Fatehgarh Sahib, Sirhind, Mandi Gobindgarh, Amloh, Bassi Pathana, Khamano | Around Chandigarh guide |
Tier-2 cities (Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar) are not covered here. Their suburbs and nearby towns, such as Jagraon, Khanna, Phagwara, Batala and Tarn Taran, are listed above.
Why tier-3 Punjab is the opportunity
- Few quality brands: most tier-3 towns have local shops but no branded pizza and burger outlet.
- Lower rents than Ludhiana, Amritsar or Jalandhar for a prime market location.
- Loyal customers: the first good brand in town becomes the place for birthdays, results and treats.
- Young families and students who want modern food close to home.
- NRI families across Punjab who expect international-style quality.
TAG USA is already there
TAG USA already runs outlets in Punjab’s small towns, including Banur, Khera Gajju, Chunni Kalan, Anandpur Sahib, Kharar and Zirakpur. When we opened in Banur, the outlet sold more than 2,000 Paneer Korma pizzas and more than 5,000 classic pizzas in its first month, proof that tier-3 Punjab is hungry for a quality brand.
Punjab’s favourites are built into our menu: Paneer Korma, Butter Chicken Triple and Lahori Masala pizzas, alongside classic pizzas, burgers, pasta, wraps, Korean fried chicken, healthy salads, shakes and cold coffee. See the menu.
How to choose the right town
- Main market or highway frontage with all-day footfall
- Schools, colleges, offices or hospitals nearby
- No quality pizza and burger brand yet, or only one
- Room for delivery to surrounding colonies and villages
- Your own local network: owners who know the town run better outlets
Our team assesses every location with you before you commit.
TAG USA franchise at a glance
| TAG USA franchise at a glance | |
|---|---|
| Format | TAG USA Express Outlet (pizza & burger QSR) |
| Investment | ₹15.4 lakh to ₹25 lakh*, depending on format, size and location |
| Returns | Strong ROI potential* |
| Experience needed | None: full training provided |
| Property | Use your own, or our team helps you evaluate a location |
| Support | Location assessment, setup, staff training, recipes, menu, branding, ongoing operations |
| Supply | Signature “Bigga” dough ingredient from licensed partners in Dubai, the UK and the USA |
How to start
- Enquire on the franchise page, on WhatsApp or at [email protected], and tell us your town.
- Discovery call about your town, budget and property.
- Location evaluation by our team.
- Agreement, setup and training.
- Launch your TAG USA Express Outlet with our support.
*Investment figures are indicative and depend on outlet format, size and location. Returns depend on location, investment and operations and are not guaranteed. T&C apply.