Thursday, December 18, 2025
Home Blog Page 17

ETİ Gıda Buys TRUBAR as Clean Nutrition Bar Market Surges in North America

By
SnackTeam
-
0

Vancouver-based clean nutrition bar company TRUBAR has been acquired by Turkish food conglomerate ETİ Gıda for CAD 201 million, marking one of the largest deals in the North American protein snack sector this year. Founded in 2019 by Erica Groussman, TRUBAR has quickly scaled its operations, now retailing in over 15,000 outlets across the United States and carving a niche in the growing health-conscious snacking market.

The company reported revenue exceeding $50 million in 2024 and projects that it will reach $100 million by 2026, reflecting strong consumer demand for protein-rich, clean-label snacks. TRUBAR’s product line, featuring bars that combine nutrition with clean ingredients, has resonated with urban consumers prioritizing convenience without compromising on health, a trend that has fueled significant growth in the category.

The acquisition by ETİ Gıda signals the Turkish food group’s intent to expand its footprint in the North American functional snacking space. ETİ Gıda, known for its diverse confectionery and packaged foods portfolio, is expected to leverage TRUBAR’s established distribution network and brand equity to scale sales across the U.S., while introducing new innovations aligned with global clean-label trends.

TRUBAR’s deal comes amid a wave of consolidation in the protein and nutrition bar segment. Earlier this year, Ferrero Group acquired Power Crunch, and 1440 Foods picked up FitCrunch, while BUILT Bar reportedly engaged bankers to explore strategic options. Analysts suggest the protein bar market, buoyed by rising health awareness and increasing consumer preference for functional snacks, will continue to attract interest from global food and beverage players in 2026.

For Groussman and her team, the ETİ Gıda acquisition represents both a validation of the brand’s rapid growth and a pathway to accelerate innovation and scale. With the North American market for protein and functional bars projected to expand further, TRUBAR’s integration into a global portfolio positions the brand to capture increasing demand for clean, nutritious, and convenient snack options.

Advertisement

Sportswear Giant Puma India Taps Ramprasad Sridharan to Lead Market Growth

By
SnackTeam
-
0

Puma has announced the appointment of Ramprasad Sridharan as managing director of Puma India, effective December 2025, marking a key leadership transition for the sportswear and lifestyle brand in one of its most strategic markets. Sridharan will report to Matthias Bäumer, chief commercial officer at Puma, and is expected to drive the brand’s growth trajectory across India’s expanding footwear and apparel sectors.

Sridharan brings over 25 years of experience spanning brand building, retail strategy, and commercial leadership across the Asia-Pacific region. Most recently, he served as CEO and managing director of United Colors of Benetton India, where he oversaw a transformation agenda that included operational restructuring, retail expansion, and brand revitalization. His earlier leadership roles include senior positions at Clarks and Reebok India, where he focused on expanding market share and driving consumer engagement.

Bäumer highlighted Sridharan’s appointment as a strategic move to strengthen Puma’s retail footprint and accelerate its brand initiatives in India. “Ram is a highly experienced leader with a proven track record in the fashion and footwear industry,” he said. “His deep understanding of retail operations and consumer dynamics will be instrumental as Puma continues to expand in one of its key markets globally.”

Sridharan succeeds Karthik Balagopalan, who has stepped down to pursue other professional opportunities. Balagopalan’s two-decade-long tenure at Puma included leadership across multiple functions, contributing to the company’s positioning as a major player in India’s sports and lifestyle segment.

The appointment comes at a time when the Indian market is witnessing strong demand for sportswear and athleisure, with increasing penetration of organized retail, e-commerce, and experiential brand engagement. Industry analysts suggest that leadership stability and experienced retail management will be critical for global brands like Puma to capture growth in urban and emerging markets.

Under Sridharan, Puma India is expected to leverage his commercial acumen to expand retail operations, deepen digital initiatives, and strengthen the brand’s engagement with India’s evolving consumer base.

Advertisement

Dior Picks Thai Sensations Lingling Kwong and Orm Kornnaphat as New Ambassadors as Thailand’s Luxury Market

By
SnackTeam
-
0

Dior has added fresh star power to its global roster by appointing Thai actors Lingling Kwong and Orm Kornnaphat as its newest brand ambassadors. The announcement, made in an exclusive report by Joelle Diderich for WWD on November 24, signals the luxury house’s growing attention toward Thailand’s booming pop culture ecosystem.

Both actresses have earned devoted fan followings through their hit girls’ love dramas The Secret of Us and Only You. Their pairing, often referred to by fans as LingOrm, has become one of the most recognisable duos in Thailand’s entertainment landscape. With this move, Dior taps directly into that cultural momentum, strengthening its visibility among younger audiences across Asia.

The decision also reflects a broader strategy at the fashion house. Luxury brands have been increasing their investment in Southeast Asia, where fashion, beauty and entertainment trends often spread at remarkable speed. Thailand, in particular, has become a magnet for global labels in search of strong digital influence and high engagement rates.

For Dior, Lingling and Orm bring both style and substance. Their on screen presence, paired with a loyal regional fanbase, positions them as powerful cultural connectors. While Dior has historically leaned on major global names, the brand’s recent focus on Thailand suggests a deeper, long term plan to cultivate local relevance in one of Asia’s most active consumer markets.

The duo’s first campaign activities with the house are expected to draw considerable attention, especially as Thai celebrities continue to gain strong traction across fashion weeks and luxury beauty launches. With Lingling and Orm stepping into the global spotlight under the Dior banner, the brand appears set to strengthen its footprint in a market that shows no signs of slowing.

Advertisement

Tadka Rani Owner Claims Zomato Marked Restaurant “Unavailable” to Increase Commissions

By
SnackTeam
-
0
Image of zomato
Tadka Rani Owner Claims Zomato Marked Restaurant “Unavailable” to Increase Commissions

Delhi restaurant owner Gagandeep Singh Sapra has publicly accused Zomato of manipulating rider allocations, claiming his outlet, Tadka Rani in Greater Kailash 1, is repeatedly marked as “unavailable” on the platform during peak hours despite being fully operational. Sapra shared a screen recording on X showing his restaurant listed as unavailable while several nearby eateries continued to receive delivery partners, raising questions about platform fairness and transparency.

The issue, according to Sapra, has persisted for more than 30 days despite multiple escalations to Zomato’s support teams. “Here’s video proof of how rider allocation is being manipulated,” he wrote, noting that neighboring restaurants within a 50-meter radius were receiving orders without disruption.

The complaint quickly went viral, sparking industry debate about the power and control large food delivery platforms hold over partner restaurants. Responding publicly, Zomato’s food delivery CEO Aditya Mangla acknowledged the concern and said the company would investigate. “Thank you for sharing this. I’m getting this checked,” Mangla wrote in response to Sapra’s post.

Sapra expressed cautious appreciation for the CEO’s engagement but reiterated frustration with the lack of resolution. “I have written to all your team members and have several meetings. Yesterday was the 31st day, and no one seems to see a resolve,” he commented.

In subsequent posts, Sapra alleged that the platform’s actions could be motivated by commission strategies. “It’s all a game to increase their commission, from the current 52% on sales to potentially as high as 99% of each transaction. The greed is not ending,” he wrote, adding that internal mismanagement may have contributed to what he described as a “rigged system.”

While Zomato has not provided a detailed public explanation beyond the CEO’s statement, the incident highlights growing concerns among restaurant partners about operational transparency, algorithmic control, and the financial pressures imposed by platform-driven commission models in India’s highly competitive food delivery ecosystem.

The case continues to unfold as both the restaurant owner and the platform navigate public scrutiny and attempts at resolution.

Advertisement

MW Eat Acquired by Fairfax, Set for Global Expansion of Iconic UK Indian Restaurant Brands

By
SnackTeam
-
0

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.

Advertisement

Advantedge Scores 30X Returns as Early Bet on Rapido Pays Off Big

By
SnackTeam
-
0

Rapido’s growth story has handed one of its earliest backers a windfall. Delhi-based venture investor Advantedge has recorded a striking 30 times return on the capital it originally put into the mobility platform, after completing a significant partial exit. The firm first invested in Rapido during its seed round in 2016, writing a cheque of roughly 2.5 to 3 million dollars. Its recent sale, valued at about 28 million dollars, comes as Rapido moves toward closing a 550 million dollar fundraising round led by Prosus and WestBridge Capital.

Even after the sale, Advantedge continues to hold a substantial position in the company. Its remaining stake is valued between 60 and 65 million dollars, giving the fund one of the strongest performances in its portfolio. Founder Kunal Khattar said the overall outcome from Rapido, including the unrealised gains, has pushed the total multiple on invested capital from this single bet to 30 times.

Rapido’s success significantly lifted the performance of Advantedge’s first fund, which was launched in 2015 with a corpus of 10 to 11 million dollars. The fund has now delivered about 30 million dollars back to its limited partners, translating to a distribution-to-paid-in ratio of three times and total returns of 11.5 times on invested capital across all portfolio moves. The first fund is on track to be closed within the next year, with only a few positions left to exit.

Beyond Rapido, Advantedge notched earlier exits through its stakes in Wigzo, which was bought by Shiprocket in 2022 for 25 million dollars, and iimjobs.com, acquired by Info Edge in 2019 for 12 million dollars. Rapido, however, remains its standout performer, delivering an internal rate of return of 67 percent and a 111 times multiple on the earliest tranche of capital.

The firm, backed by the family offices of Motherson and the Hero group, has already deployed its 30 million dollar second fund and is now raising a third, targeting a 60 million dollar corpus. With the new fund, Advantedge plans to double down on early-stage mobility and infrastructure bets, writing cheques in the half-million to 1.5 million dollar range while continuing to support winners from its existing portfolio.

Advertisement

GO DESi Doubles Down on Made Daily Sweets as Vinay Kothari Mobilises a 70 Hour Workweek Team for Citywide Expansion

By
SnackTeam
-
0

Vinay Kothari, Founder of GO DESi and a well known voice in the Indian packaged food space, has announced the company’s formal entry into the fresh sweets category. In a detailed LinkedIn post, Kothari shared how the move has already turned into one of the brand’s strongest growth experiments.

GO DESi currently manufactures every sweet it sells and operates more than sixty kiosks across key arterial routes leading into Bengaluru. According to Kothari, the team relied on startup style calculations and a fair amount of bold optimism to take a bet on fully fresh Indian sweets.

The company’s first sweets and snacks kiosk opened at Forum Falcon City on Kanakapura Road. Kothari said the aim is to romanticise and elevate the traditional Indian sweet experience. He added that classics like Mysore Paak deserve to be placed alongside global favourites like the French macaron.

All sweets are prepared fresh each day using in-house recipes. The menu features staple classics such as Kalakand and Mysore Paak, along with new age offerings including Blueberry Barfi, Motichoor Cheesecake, Gulkand filled Laddoo, and chocolate stuffed Besan Laddoo. The sweets range is supported by GO DESi favourites like POPz along with new launches in Bhelpuri and fruit bars.

Kothari credited a large internal team for bringing the project to life. The team led by Manpreet Singh Raghavendra Kumar worked seventy hour weeks to set up operations. Gowda Sharat Manjunath established the daily supply chain system. Rahul Sheelavantara and the design team ensured the kiosk and packaging retained GO DESi’s signature identity. Product specialists including Romi Ningombam and Priya Rani Omana refined recipes through multiple rounds of testing.

Kothari invited customers to visit the kiosk and share feedback as GO DESi scales this new vertical.

Advertisement

PepsiCo Expands Portfolio in India with Global Gourmet Chips Brand Red Rock Deli

By
SnackTeam
-
0

PepsiCo India has widened its presence in the premium snacking segment with the introduction of Red Rock Deli, a global gourmet chip brand that has built a strong following across Australia and several international markets. The brand has now been adapted and produced locally for Indian consumers, marking a notable addition to PepsiCo’s growing food portfolio.

Red Rock Deli’s India rollout begins with a lineup of flavours that draw from global cuisines and culinary trends. The products are made using sunflower oil and rely on three production formats, which include kettle cooking, baking and popping. PepsiCo executives said the combination is designed to deliver distinct textures and flavours for consumers who are looking for more layered snacking experiences.

The company noted that the launch sits at the intersection of two major shifts in India’s food landscape. On one hand, consumers in metro cities are increasingly gravitating toward international-style snacks. On the other, the rise of quick commerce has accelerated the discovery and trial of new brands, allowing products like Red Rock Deli to reach households faster and with greater visibility.

PepsiCo India’s Chief Marketing Officer for its foods division, Saakshi Verma Menon, said the new portfolio responds directly to this demand for “premium, chef-led” flavours and a growing appetite for speciality chips that appeal to a more experimental audience. She added that the company aims to create a balance between global inspiration and local taste expectations as it builds the brand’s presence across India.

To support the launch, Red Rock Deli is now available on leading quick commerce platforms, placing it within the reach of consumers who are increasingly using rapid delivery services for impulse purchases and snack occasions. PepsiCo said the introduction reflects its broader strategy of leaning into premiumisation and culinary innovation to appeal to younger, urban buyers who expect novelty and quality from packaged snacks.

The company believes that Red Rock Deli’s arrival will contribute to the ongoing shift in India’s snacking behaviour, where consumers are moving beyond traditional options and seeking more flavour-focused, globally influenced products.

Advertisement

Sandwizzaa to Add 30 New Outlets, Shifts to PSR Format to Boost Growth and Profitability

By
SnackTeam
-
0

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.

Advertisement

Indian Railways Becomes Asia’s Hottest QSR Goldmine With Three And A Half Crore Daily Passengers And Seven Thousand Stations

By
SnackTeam
-
0

Indian Railways has quietly stepped into one of the most powerful business positions in Asia, and the numbers behind it are staggering. With a daily footfall of three and a half crore passengers and a network that touches seven thousand stations, the system has now become the single biggest opportunity for quick service restaurant brands looking for scale without heavy customer acquisition costs. The Railway Board’s recent approval for premium, single brand food outlets has opened the doors for major national and international names to enter a space that was untouched for decades.

This shift is more than a policy update. It marks a transformation in how India eats while travelling. Passengers who once settled for basic meals can now look forward to familiar favourites from well known chains. For brands, the appeal is even stronger. Zero customer acquisition cost, guaranteed daily visibility, and the chance to serve millions without building expensive high street stores make railway stations one of the most desirable new frontiers.

Large QSR companies are already preparing their plans for station based formats. The concourses offer steady traffic throughout the day rather than a few peak hours, which makes the economics far more attractive. Smaller regional brands also see this as their moment to enter a national platform without massive marketing budgets.

This move is expected to lift the overall food service ecosystem inside the railways. Better hygiene standards, unified pricing, and improved customer experience can reshape how travellers interact with food on long routes and short commutes alike. With such a massive captive audience and a supportive policy environment, Indian Railways has positioned itself as the most promising QSR playground in Asia for the years ahead.

Advertisement
1...161718...1,377Page 17 of 1,377