Bhatbhateni works to recover one year after Gen Z protests

Kathmandu, September 8, 2026 — Bhatbhateni Supermarket is working to return its operations to normal one year after the Gen Z protests, during which 21 of its 28 stores across Nepal were damaged through arson, vandalism and looting.

Twelve Bhatbhateni outlets were set on fire during the protests, while nine others were vandalized and looted. Of the 21 affected stores, 17 have since resumed operations.

The company has reopened all nine branches that were vandalized and looted, while eight of the 12 outlets damaged by fire have also resumed business.

The remaining fire-damaged branches in Dharan, Naxal, Hetauda and Damak are currently undergoing reconstruction and preparations for reopening. Bhatbhateni aims to bring all four branches back into operation by the end of Ashwin.

Branches in Maharajgunj, Boudha, Koteshwor, Baluwatar Warehouse and Naxal in the Kathmandu Valley were among those affected by arson. Outside the valley, stores in Pokhara, Chitwan, Hetauda, Birtamod, Damak, Biratnagar and Dharan were also destroyed by fire.

Meanwhile, branches in Kalanki, Thimi, Balaju, Janakpur, Butwal, Birgunj, Dhangadhi, Itahari and Bhairahawa suffered vandalism and looting but were not set on fire.

Stores in Tokha, Satdobato, Anamnagar, Sano Gaon, the World Trade Center, Patan and Nepalgunj remained unaffected during the protests.

Following the unrest, the company prioritized the reconstruction and rehabilitation of its damaged outlets as it sought to restore its nationwide operations.

The protests placed immediate pressure on Bhatbhateni's physical infrastructure, financial management and business expansion plans. However, within a year, the retail chain has begun returning to its regular business activities.

Alongside reconstruction, Bhatbhateni is also pursuing plans to operate under what it describes as an international model. As part of this initiative, the company has introduced night-time service at its Radhe Radhe branch in Bhaktapur.