London-based Indian restaurant group MW Eat has entered a new phase of international growth following its acquisition by affiliates of Canada’s Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited. The deal is aimed at supporting MW Eat’s global expansion while strengthening the financial and operational backing for its portfolio of iconic Indian dining brands.
MW Eat operates marquee names including Chutney Mary, Amaya, Masala Zone, and Veeraswamy, one of London’s oldest Indian restaurants located on Regent Street. Founded in 1990, the group has built a reputation for fine-dining Indian cuisine and for blending heritage with contemporary dining experiences. Fairfax’s acquisition will provide “significant investments” to accelerate international growth, explore new restaurant formats, and reinforce brand values, the company said.
Camellia Panjabi, MW Eat’s Group Director, highlighted the strategic alignment between Fairfax’s global outlook and MW Eat’s heritage. “This acquisition marks a transformative chapter for MW Eat,” she said, noting that the leadership team—including her sister Namita and brother-in-law Ranjit—will support Fairfax in taking the group’s brands global. Panjabi emphasized that staff and operational continuity remain central to the expansion strategy.
Fairfax Financial, chaired by Prem Watsa, brings experience in hospitality through its Recipe Restaurant Group subsidiary in Canada and has prior Indian investments including Bangalore International Airport, Thomas Cook India, and Sterling Holiday Resorts. Watsa said, “We are delighted to welcome MW Eat into the Fairfax family. The leadership team has done a terrific job building iconic restaurant brands, and we look forward to supporting their long-term potential.”
The acquisition also intersects with Veeraswamy’s ongoing lease situation. The Regent Street location, leased from the Crown Estate, requires refurbishment to meet modern standards. Despite the lease expiry in June, legal protections allow the restaurant to continue operations until a court hearing next year, ensuring the legacy of nearly 100 years of culinary history remains intact.
With Fairfax’s backing, MW Eat aims to transform from a leading UK Indian restaurant group into a global player, leveraging brand strength, operational expertise, and strategic capital to tap new international markets.
