Bengaluru, Sept. 19 -- As big fast-food chains struggle to hold consumer attention in India, brokerage firm Bernstein says pizza may be the solution.

Quick-service restaurants are finding it increasingly difficult to grow same-store sales-or sales at the same number of stores over a period-as Indians scrutinize how much value they get from eating out, Bernstein said in a 17 September note.

Consumers are effectively measuring calories per rupee, it said, and on this yardstick, pizza delivers the best bang for the buck, outperforming burgers, biryani, Chinese food, and Indian snacks.

Bernstein's analysis of more than 120 dishes, or restaurant combinations, found that an average person could meet daily dietary needs with Rs.525 from a piz...