Mumbai based sandwich chain Sandwizzaa is gearing up for an aggressive expansion phase, setting a goal to scale from its current 20 company-owned outlets to 50 stores within the next three years. The brand’s renewed focus on scale, profitability and in-store experience marks a decisive shift in its growth playbook, founder and chief executive Pankaj Sharma said in a conversation with ETRetail.
Sandwizzaa operates entirely through a COCO model at present, with all 20 outlets located across Mumbai. This financial year, the company has opened two stores and plans to add two more by March 2025. For FY26, the pipeline includes four to six new locations. Sharma said discussions with strategic partners are underway to expand within a 300 to 400 kilometre radius of Mumbai, entering adjoining cities and states. While the company remains committed to the company-owned structure, COFO partnerships may be considered selectively for larger scale.
The chain has recently repositioned itself from a QSR to a Partial Service Restaurant format, aiming to deliver a stronger dining experience along with product quality. The new café-style outlets will range between 500 and 600 square feet and accommodate 18 to 24 covers. Capital expenditure per store is estimated between Rs 80 lakh and Rs 1 crore.
Sandwizzaa has diversified beyond sandwiches in recent years. It introduced milkshakes, mojitos and iced teas in 2021, followed by rice bowls in 2022 and hot beverages in 2023.
Consumer behaviour post-pandemic sharply shifted the business model. Prior to 2020, 80 percent of Sandwizzaa’s revenue came from dine-in. At the peak of COVID-19 disruption, delivery accounted for 90 percent. Currently, the mix is 80 percent online and 20 percent offline, although the new PSR model is moving it toward a 60:40 split.
The self-funded brand reported Rs 43 crore in revenue last fiscal and is on track to close FY25 at Rs 52–55 crore, growing at around 30 percent annually. It aims to reach Rs 125–150 crore in three years, driven by nationwide expansion and improved profitability. At present, store-level EBITDA stands at 12 percent and 3 to 4 percent at the brand level.
