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Franks Hot Dog makes Indian debut in Pune, eyes 300 outlets in five years

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Ashutosh Dubey
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Franks Hot Dog makes Indian debut in Pune, eyes 300 outlets in five years

Global gourmet hot dog brand Franks Hot Dog has entered the Indian market through a partnership with FranGlobal, launching its first outlet at Elpro City Square Mall in Pune.

Partnership with FranGlobal allows to bring Franks’ legacy- CEO

“India is a dynamic market with a deep love for innovative food experiences. Our collaboration with FranGlobal allows us to bring Franks’ legacy of premium quality and creativity to this exciting new audience, starting with Pune,” said Benjamin Attal, CEO of Franks Hot Dog.

Continue Exploring: Taqtics secures $1.2 Mn seed funding to transform retail and QSR operations

Pune’s vibrant culinary scene and adventurous food lovers provide the perfect setting for Franks Hot Dog to introduce its innovative menu. “This partnership is a testament to India’s growing appetite for global food brands. Pune is the perfect city to introduce Franks Hot Dog, with its unique offerings and strong brand story,” added Gaurav Marya, Chairman of Franchise India and FranGlobal.

Further, the Pune outlet offers signature gourmet hot dogs, loaded fries, and refreshing beverages, blending global appeal with local tastes. Options like the Spicy Tandoori Dog and Masala Loaded Fries cater to Indian palates while maintaining international standards.

Continue Exploring: Star Localmart eyes retail expansion with 3000 stores in next five years

Franks Hot Dog to open 100 outlets in 3 years

Moving forward, Franks Hot Dog and FranGlobal aim to establish 300 outlets across India within five years, with 100 locations opening in the first 18 months. This launch marks a significant milestone in Franks’ global expansion strategy, including new outlets in Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and eight locations in France by 2024.

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Globus Spirits launches luxury whisky brand DŌAAB in India

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Ashutosh Dubey
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Globus Spirits launches luxury whisky brand DŌAAB in India

Globus Spirits Limited has entered India’s luxury whisky segment with its first single malt whisky under the DŌAAB India Craft Whisky brand. 

This move caters to the country’s evolving whisky market, where consumers increasingly prefer premium craft spirits.

Globus Spirits derives brand name from Hindi

The brand name DŌAAB, derived from Hindi words “dō” (two) and “aab” (water), symbolises the merging of perspectives and influences. The first limited-edition release, 01 Six Blind Men and the Elephant, draws inspiration from Indian folklore and features whisky aged in 100% ex-bourbon barrels.

Continue Exploring: Cricketer Yuvraj Singh debuts into retail market with guilt-free snacking brand Twiddles

Meanwhile, Shekhar Swarup, Joint Managing Director of Globus Spirits Limited, said, “Within two years, the company has innovated into various segments in the drinks industry of India, and we are proud to raise the standards with the launch of DŌAAB. As a company, we continue to aspire for more and will offer the best offerings cutting across all segments.”

DŌAAB available in key cities

Further, DŌAAB India Craft Whisky, 01 Six Blind Men and the Elephant, is priced between INR 4,500 and INR 5,500 per 750 ml bottle, depending on state pricing norms. Initially available in Delhi, Gurgaon, Lucknow, and Jaipur, the brand plans to expand to other markets.

Continue Exploring: Blitz bags $6 Mn in Series A funding to boost ‘Same-Day’ delivery infrastructure

To be noticeable, the packaging combines traditional Rajasthan’s mandana art with modern aesthetics, reflecting DŌAAB’s focus on blending tradition and innovation. This aligns with the brand’s goal of offering unique experiences to whisky enthusiasts.

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Blue Tokai aims for threefold revenue growth by 2027, eyes IPO

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Ashutosh Dubey
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Blue Tokai aims for threefold revenue growth by 2027, eyes IPO

Indian coffee chain Blue Tokai is targeting a threefold increase in annual revenue by 2027, reaching INR 10 billion, according to CEO and co-founder Matt Chitharanjan.

Blue Tokai to run 350 cafes in 3 years

The company plans to expand its footprint in India’s growing INR 25 billion specialty tea and coffee cafe market by opening 350 cafes in cities like Hyderabad and Chennai within three years.

Continue Exploring: Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal reiterates stance on FDI rules for e-commerce platforms

Currently operating over 130 cafes, Blue Tokai has the backing of Belgian investment firm Verlinvest. “Our revenue run rate for this year is INR 3.7 billion, and we are targeting INR 10 billion by 2027,” Chitharanjan said.

An initial public offering (IPO) is part of the company’s long-term plans but not a current focus. “Market conditions will fluctuate, and we are more concerned about reaching our internal goals. Healthy profit margins will make us an attractive IPO candidate,” he added, noting that Blue Tokai’s patient investors are not pushing for a quick market debut.

Continue Exploring: Proost Beer raises INR 30 Cr in Series A Funding to boost supply chain

Blue Tokai nets $81 Mn 

India’s coffee culture is expanding, driven by affluent urban consumers using cafes for work and meetings. Major players like Tata Starbucks, Costa Coffee, and McDonald’s McCafe are scaling operations. Despite competition, Chitharanjan is confident. “We’re not at a stage of the market where there’s a lot of competitive pressure. It’s more about growing the overall market pie, rather than stealing share from each other,” he said.

Since its inception in 2013, Blue Tokai has raised $81 million and focuses on long-term growth in the specialty coffee segment.

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Zomato leads in food delivery market with 58% share, Swiggy trails behind

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Ashutosh Dubey
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Zomato leads in food delivery market with 58% share, Swiggy trails behind

Zomato continues to dominate the food delivery segment with a 58% market share in the June quarter of FY2024-25, according to a report by Motilal Oswal.

Swiggy captures 42% of food delivery market

Its rival Swiggy, which recently made its stock market debut, trails behind with a 42% share.

The food tech giant’s stronger execution has enabled it to gain market share from Swiggy between FY22 and Q1 FY25, increasing its share from 54% to 58% in terms of gross order value (GOV). Analysts at Motilal Oswal attribute this growth to Zomato’s effective strategies.

Continue Exploring: Blitz bags $6 Mn in Series A funding to boost ‘Same-Day’ delivery infrastructure

In the quick commerce segment, Blinkit leads with a 46% market share in Q1 FY25, followed by Zepto at 29% and Swiggy Instamart at 25%. However, Motilal Oswal notes that Swiggy can regain lost ground in both segments with tighter execution and better utilisation of its unified app approach.

Zomato expects 30% growth rate in 5 years

However, Zomato expects its food delivery business to grow at an annual rate of 30% over the next five years. Despite intensified competition and surging sales in quick commerce, food delivery remains a lucrative business for Zomato and Swiggy.

Continue Exploring: Biryani By Kilo secures $2 Mn from Pulsar Capital at $100 Mn Valuation

In Q1 FY25, Zomato’s food delivery business reported a GOV of INR 9,264 crore, up 27% year-over-year (YoY). In comparison, Swiggy’s food delivery business reported a GOV of INR 6,808.3 crore, up from INR 5,958.7 crore in the same quarter last year.

Brokerage firm Morgan Stanley has reaffirmed its ‘overweight’ rating on Zomato and increased its price target to INR 355 from INR 278, implying an upside potential of over 31%. Zomato’s shares traded 0.24% higher at INR 271.35 apiece on the BSE.

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Taqtics secures $1.2 Mn seed funding to transform retail and QSR operations

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Ashutosh Dubey
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Taqtics secures $1.2 Mn seed funding to transform retail and QSR operations

Taqtics, a SaaS platform revolutionising retail and Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) operations, has raised $1.2 million in seed funding. The funding round was led by Sprout Venture Partners and Capital-A, with participation from Java Capital.

Funding enables to simplify retail operations – Co-founder

The investment will enhance Taqtics’ product capabilities, expand its market presence, and introduce AI-driven analytics to streamline operational processes. Co-founder Yuyutsu Sharma stated, “This funding enables us to advance innovation, leveraging AI and automation to simplify retail operations. Our mission is to digitally transform how retail and QSR brands manage daily operations across locations.”

Continue Exploring: Doodhvale Farms net $3 Mn funding to expand dairy business

Established in 2021, Taqtics offers an all-in-one platform for retail and restaurant management. Its features include real-time store audits, employee training, SOP management, visual merchandising, asset management, and issue-tracking capabilities.

Taqtics is tailored to meet demands of retail, QSR – Capital-A

“Taqtics is uniquely tailored to meet the evolving demands of the retail and QSR industries,” noted Ankit Kedia, Founder of Capital-A. “Vertical AI tools like Taqtics are essential for scalable and efficient operations. We’re excited to partner with them on this journey.”

Continue Exploring: HealthKart secures $153 Mn in funding led by ChrysCapital and Motilal Oswal

Further, Sahil Gupta, Partner at Sprout Venture Partners, emphasised, “The challenges of maintaining consistency across multiple locations are significant. Taqtics offers an innovative solution to simplify oversight and drive operational excellence. We’re eager to support their growth into key markets.”

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Blitz bags $6 Mn in Series A funding to boost ‘Same-Day’ delivery infrastructure

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Ashutosh Dubey
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Blitz bags $6 Mn in Series A funding to boost ‘Same-Day’ delivery infrastructure

Blitz, a same-day delivery platform for omnichannel sellers, has secured $6 million (INR 51 crore) in its Series A funding round led by IvyCap Ventures.

Existing investors IndiaQuotient and Alteria Capital, along with angel investors Ramesh Bafna (Zepto), Siddharth (Snitch), Vinit Gautam (Bestseller CEO), and Amitabh Suri (Arvind Fashion CEO), also participated.

Continue Exploring: HealthKart secures $153 Mn in funding led by ChrysCapital and Motilal Oswal

Blitz to expand in 20 cities

Established in 2020 by Gaurav Piyush, Mayank Varshney, and Yash Sharma, Blitz provides logistics support to quick commerce across 10 cities. The Bengaluru-based startup plans to utilise the fresh funds to enhance its 60-minute delivery infrastructure and expand its dark store network to 20 cities.

Meanwhile, the omnichannel platform offers 60-minute deliveries from local stores and same-day shipments from urban warehouses in cities like Bangalore, Delhi, NCR, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Chandigarh, and Pune. The startup claims its dark store model will become a key logistics asset for e-commerce players aiming to offer fast, reliable deliveries.

“With support from our amazing investors, Blitz is at the forefront of transforming q-commerce into an indispensable part of everyday life across geographies,” said Yash Sharma.

Continue Exploring: Doodhvale Farms net $3 Mn funding to expand dairy business

Global Q-commerce market to attain $303.3 Bn by 2030

Notably, the global quick commerce market is projected to reach $303.3 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 34.1% from $38.9 billion in 2023. Blitz competes with Shiprocket, Pickkr, ShipBob, and Amazon Prime‘s next-day delivery in the delivery space.

The startup’s expansion plans come as consumers increasingly prefer same-day deliveries and quick commerce, creating opportunities for new players. Logistics unicorn Delhivery recently announced plans to launch a network of multi-tenant dark stores for rapid in-city delivery, while food delivery major Swiggy is operationalizing ‘mega dark stores’ in Bengaluru.

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HealthKart secures $153 Mn in funding led by ChrysCapital and Motilal Oswal

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Ashutosh Dubey
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HealthKart secures $153 Mn in funding led by ChrysCapital and Motilal Oswal

HealthKart, India’s largest omnichannel nutrition platform, has secured $153 million in funding from ChrysCapital and Motilal Oswal Alternates. 

Existing investors A91 Partners and Neo Group also participated in the round, with Avendus Capital serving as the exclusive financial advisor.

HealthKart crosses INR 1000 Cr in revenue

Notably, the health tech company achieved significant milestones in FY24, crossing INR 1,000 crore in revenue and attaining full-year EBITDA profitability. The company plans to utilise the funds to strengthen its power brands and expand its presence in international markets.

Continue Exploring: Biryani By Kilo secures $2 Mn from Pulsar Capital at $100 Mn Valuation

Meanwhile, Sameer Maheshwari, Founder and CEO of HealthKart, stated in the media release, “We welcome ChrysCapital and Motilal Oswal to HealthKart and hope to leverage their expertise during the next phase of growth. Very excited about our first ESOP buyback program which will create meaningful value for people who have played a critical role in building HealthKart. We firmly believe that people are our greatest asset and we aim to align their personal success with the company’s long-term vision.”

HealthKart announces INR 55 Cr ESOP for employees

Further, HealthKart announced an employee ESOP buyback worth INR 55 crore, benefiting both current and former employees who contributed to the company’s growth.

Continue Exploring: 10-minute food delivery startup Swish raises $2 Mn in seed funding

“ChrysCapital is excited to partner with HealthKart as it embarks on its growth journey. The Indian sports nutrition market is expected to expand due to rising fitness awareness and nutrition importance. MuscleBlaze stands out as a leading brand, supported by proprietary channels, while HK Vitals offers high-quality nutraceuticals,” commented Arpit Vinayak, Vice-President of ChrysCapital.

Rohit Mantri, Co-Head and Managing Director of Private Equity at Motilal Oswal Alternates, added, “We’re excited to partner with HealthKart in its next growth phase. The company has demonstrated a strong track record of creating market-leading consumer health brands through differentiated products and multi-channel distribution. HealthKart’s commitment to providing high-quality, affordable dietary supplements aligns perfectly with our objectives of promoting healthier lifestyles.”

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Doodhvale Farms net $3 Mn funding to expand dairy business

By
Ashutosh Dubey
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Doodhvale Farms net $3 Mn funding to expand dairy business

Doodhvale Farms, a dairy startup, has raised $3 million (approximately INR 25.33 crore) in an undisclosed funding round co-led by Atomic Capital and Singularity Early Opportunities Fund.

The round also saw participation from Indigram Labs Foundation and prominent angel investors, including Ramakant Sharma, Ankit Tandon, Saurabh Jain, and Arjun Vaidya, as per INC42.

Continue Exploring: Zomato expects 30% annual growth in core delivery business over next five years

Established in 2019 by Aman J Jain, Ishu Jain, Sanjay Jain, and Sudhir Jain, Doodhvale Farms delivers milk and dairy products across Delhi NCR. The company began with two Holstein Friesian cows on a single farm and now operates from a 2.5-acre automated processing farm in Sonipat, Haryana, housing 50 cows.

Doodhvale Farms claims 100% YoY growth inn 3 years

Meanwhile, Doodhvale Farms plans to utilise the fresh capital for expansion, strengthening distribution networks, diversifying its product portfolio, and upgrading technology infrastructure. The startup claims to have achieved 100% year-over-year growth and maintained profitability on an EBITDA basis for three consecutive years.

Continue Exploring: Zomato introduces ‘District’ App, enabling customers to book tables, tickets, and events

Its product portfolio includes Gaon Jaisa Safed Makkhan, Pure Milk Khoya, and Desi Treats. “With this funding, we are poised to expand our reach and enhance our commitment to delivering pure, farm-fresh dairy products to Indian households,” said Aman J Jain.

Doodhvale farms serves 10,000 customers

Currently serving over 10,000 customers across Delhi, Gurugram, Sonipat, Noida, Greater Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Chandigarh, Panchkula, Mohali, Kharar, and Zirakpur, Doodhvale Farms competes with Country Delight, Sid’s Farm, and Akshayakalpa in the D2C dairy segment.

Recently, Sid’s Farm raised $10 million in June 2024, while Akshayakalpa secured $15 million in September 2022. According to an Inc42 report, Indian agritech startups raised $1.4 billion across 189 funding deals between 2014 and January 2022, with the sector projected to reach $30-35 million by 2025.

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Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal reiterates stance on FDI rules for e-commerce platforms

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Ashutosh Dubey
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Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal reiterates stance on FDI rules for e-commerce platforms

Minister of Commerce, Government of India, Piyush Goyal has once again targeted online marketplaces, instructing e-commerce platforms to adhere to foreign direct investment (FDI) regulations.

E-commerce company should respect law of land – Piyush Goyal

According to PTI, “The law of the land is very clear about foreign direct investment…I have been repeatedly talking about the subject that every ecommerce company should respect the law of the land both (in) the letter and spirit,” Goyal said.

Continue Exploring: Proost Beer raises INR 30 Cr in Series A Funding to boost supply chain

He mentioned that the country’s FDI rules are clear for ecommerce players, adding, “If you read today’s papers, it opens up a lot of people to question.” His comments coincided with reports claiming that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had found “direct links” between Amazon, Flipkart, and their preferred sellers.

A few months ago, Goyal criticised Amazon for alleged predatory pricing. He also claimed that Amazon’s plans to invest billions in India are merely to cover its losses, rather than to provide significant services or investments to benefit the Indian economy.

On the very next day, Goyal specifies that the government isn’t against online marketplaces but wants them to follow the rules. His comments come as the government continues its crackdown on ecommerce platforms.

Continue Exploring: 10-minute food delivery startup Swish raises $2 Mn in seed funding

ED seeks probe into Amazon & Flipkart

Earlier this month, the ED searched some of the main vendors of Amazon and Flipkart as part of an investigation into FDI norm violations.

Notably, a total of 19 locations linked to these “preferred” sellers were searched in Delhi, Gurugram, Panchkula, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. Additionally, in September 2024, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) reportedly found Amazon and Walmart-backed Flipkart guilty of breaking competition laws. The CCI’s internal report indicated that both ecommerce platforms violated antitrust rules by favouring certain sellers on their platforms.

After the findings, one of Amazon’s former major sellers, Appario Retail, challenged them in the Karnataka High Court in September. The court then heard three similar petitions from other sellers and put a temporary hold on the CCI’s actions until November 20. Besides, over a dozen sellers from Amazon and Flipkart have filed petitions in the High Courts of Karnataka, Telangana, Madras, and Kolkata, challenging the CCI’s investigation report.

Recently, reports emerged that the Competition Commission of India (CCI) plans to take the antitrust case against Amazon and Flipkart to the Supreme Court. This move follows a letter from the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) to the central government. The letter accused the two ecommerce giants of violating FDI rules and harming small brick-and-mortar stores through deep-discounting tactics.

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Walmart reports 8% growth in International sales, credits Flipkart’s strong performance

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Ashutosh Dubey
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Walmart reports 8% growth in International sales, credits Flipkart's strong performance

US-based retail giant Walmart has announced an 8% year-on-year (YoY) growth in international sales to $30.3 billion in Q3 FY25, driven by Flipkart‘s solid sales growth. The company’s ecommerce sales surged 43% due to marketplace and store-fulfilled pickup and delivery.

Walmart attributes Flipkart’s The Big Billion Days event

Walmart attributed the growth spurt to Flipkart’s The Big Billion Days (BBD) event, which shifted from Q4 last year to Q3 this year. “Positively affected by the timing of Flipkart’s BBD event, which shifted from Q4 last year to the majority in Q3 this year,” the company’s earnings presentation stated.

Continue Exploring: 10-minute food delivery startup Swish raises $2 Mn in seed funding

Meanwhile, the company’s advertising business also saw a 50% growth, led by Flipkart. Walmart’s gross profit rate rose to 24.2% from 24.1% in the year-ago period, partially offset by the timing shift of BBD sales. However, Walmart International’s gross profit rate contracted by 85 basis points due to the change in timing of BBD.

Flipkart’s BBD benefited growth in Q3, to impact it in Q4 –  Walmart

“Timing of Flipkart’s BBD event benefited growth in Q3 and will impact growth in Q4. Ecommerce sales up 43%, led by marketplace and store-fulfilled pickup & delivery,” the company said.

Continue Exploring: ED launches probe against Amazon and Flipkart following seller investigations

In October, Flipkart reported 7.2 billion visits during the festive season, with sellers witnessing 40-50% YoY growth. Walmart’s operating income in Q3 stood at $6.7 billion, an 8% increase from the year-ago quarter but a 14% decline from the preceding Q2.

Further, Indian e-commerce giant is focusing on reducing losses and boosting revenue. The company’s marketplace arm, Flipkart Internet, reported a 41% YoY decline in net loss to INR 2,358 crore in FY24, with operating revenue growing 21% to INR 17,907.3 crore.

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