The Hazelnut Factory has surpassed the ₹100 crore revenue milestone, marking a significant achievement within seven years of its inception and reinforcing its growing presence in India’s organised food and beverage space. Founded in 2019 by Ankit Sahni, the brand has carved out a differentiated niche by combining specialty coffee with premium mithai in a modern café format. What began as a single outlet in Lucknow has now expanded into a network of 18 stores across 10 cities, supported by a workforce of over 1,000 employees, highlighting the company’s rapid scale and operational growth.
The brand’s expansion has been driven by a clear focus on premiumisation, product innovation, and an experience led retail approach that resonates with evolving consumer preferences. By reimagining traditional Indian mithai within a contemporary café setting, The Hazelnut Factory has successfully tapped into a segment of consumers seeking both familiarity and novelty in their dining experiences. This hybrid positioning has allowed the brand to stand out in a competitive market, where differentiation is increasingly driven by experience, ambience, and product quality rather than just pricing.
In FY26, the company recorded approximately 85 percent growth, reflecting strong same store performance as well as the contribution from new outlets. This growth trajectory underscores increasing consumer acceptance of organised and branded mithai formats, particularly in urban markets where demand for premium and hygienic offerings continues to rise. The café format further enhances customer engagement by encouraging longer dwell times and higher average order values, combining indulgence with a social experience.
Looking ahead, The Hazelnut Factory is preparing for its next phase of expansion, with plans to open 12 to 15 new outlets over the coming year. This rollout is expected to support a targeted revenue growth of around 70 percent, indicating continued confidence in market demand and scalability of the business model. The expansion strategy is likely to focus on strengthening presence in existing markets while selectively entering new cities with strong consumption potential.
To support this growth, the company is also investing in strengthening its backend capabilities, including supply chain integration, production infrastructure, and operational systems. These investments are aimed at ensuring consistency in product quality and service standards as the brand scales, while also improving efficiency and cost management. Building a robust backend is particularly critical in the food and beverage sector, where maintaining uniformity across multiple locations is essential for sustaining brand trust.
According to Ankit Sahni, the ₹100 crore milestone reflects the effectiveness of the company’s approach, which is built on delivering quality, consistency, and a distinctive customer experience. Co founder Badal Sahni emphasized that the brand remains committed to redefining traditional mithai for modern consumers while building a future ready organisation capable of sustained growth.
Overall, The Hazelnut Factory’s journey highlights a broader shift within India’s food and beverage landscape, where traditional categories are being reinvented through contemporary formats and premium positioning. By blending cultural familiarity with modern retail experiences, the brand is well positioned to capture the growing demand for organised, experience driven dining while continuing to expand its footprint across the country.
