WESTERN INDIA — California Burrito, an Indian restaurant chain with over 130 locations, installed electric induction stoves and upgraded electrical capacity in March 2026 to maintain operations during a liquefied petroleum gas shortage. The chain spent over $100,000 on electric cooking equipment after the Middle East conflict disrupted gas supplies.

The conflict in the Middle East slowed cooking gas imports and caused panic buying of gas cylinders in India. Roughly 60 percent of India's cooking gas is imported through the Strait of Hormuz. Both California Burrito and local food stalls changed their cooking methods due to limited access to cooking gas.

California Burrito had reserves of cooking gas when the war in the Middle East started, but moved quickly to secure alternatives. "We were quick. So we placed the orders before other people did. We got the approvals to get electrified," said Bert Mueller, the restaurant owner. The chain completed electrical load capacity enhancements at stores that required them.

"The products that are getting cooked now on the electric was, one is our fajita veggies, our paneer, and then on the electric grill top we have a grilled barbecue chicken. The big difference that has been part of this electrification is the batch size is much smaller. It means they have to cook it much more frequently," he said.

The shift to electric cooking equipment allowed California Burrito to maintain its existing menu, though operations changed with smaller batch sizes requiring more frequent cooking.

Mueller, who is from Maryland and grew fond of India during a study-abroad program, opened California Burrito in Bangalore in 2012. "I loved Mexican food, I loved India," Mueller said. "I wanted to come back to India and spend time here, and this was the way to do it."

The chain serves burritos, salads and rice bowls across India. "We have burritos, salads, rice bowls. I wouldn't call it exactly fusion, but trying to adjust to the way that Indians cook their food and take inspiration from that," Mueller said.

California Burrito plans to reintroduce cooking gas once it becomes more available. "I think the war has been a big wake-up call for Indians on the role that L.P.G. plays in our daily lives," Mueller said.