New Delhi, March 17 -- Hard Rock Cafe outlets in India will continue operating for now, franchise partner JSM Group said on Tuesday, rejecting claims that the restaurants were shutting down following the termination of its partnership with Hard Rock International.

The Mumbai-based company expressed "deep shock" over what it described as a "unilateral, illegal and entirely misconceived announcement" by Hard Rock International suggesting that the chain's outlets in India would close.

The clarification comes a day after Hard Rock International announced that it was ending its partnership with JSM Corporation and shutting down all 10 Hard Rock Cafe restaurants in India. However, the Hard Rock Hotel in Goa would continue operations.

In a st...