Wendy’s to Close Up to 350 U.S. Stores After Sales Dip: Fast-Food Giant Struggles to Keep Up with McDonald’s and Burger King

Food

November 11, 2025

American fast-food giant Wendy’s has announced plans to shut down a portion of its U.S. outlets following a slump in sales and profitability. The company said it would close a mid-single-digit percentage of its roughly 6,000 domestic restaurants, amounting to about 200 to 350 locations.

The move comes after Wendy’s reported declining same-store sales and lagging profits in its latest quarterly results. According to a CNN report, the closures were disclosed during the company’s November 7 earnings call, where executives cited tough market conditions, rising operational costs, and slowing consumer spending as major challenges.

Wendy’s, known for its square-shaped burgers and Frosty desserts, has been facing intense competition from rivals like McDonald’s, Burger King, and Chick-fil-A, all of which have been aggressively expanding their menus and digital offerings. Inflationary pressures and higher input costs have also squeezed margins across the U.S. fast-food industry.

Despite the closures, Wendy’s management emphasized that the company remains committed to long-term growth. It plans to focus on optimizing its restaurant footprint, investing in digital innovation, and strengthening its delivery and drive-thru business, which have become key growth drivers post-pandemic.

Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Wendy’s operates over 7,000 restaurants worldwide. The upcoming closures mark one of the brand’s largest restructuring efforts in recent years, signaling a shift in strategy to maintain profitability in a tightening U.S. market.

As consumer spending patterns evolve, the company’s ability to adapt to changing preferences will be critical in determining Wendy’s future in the fiercely competitive fast-food landscape.

Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint Longevity Lands $60M as Wellness Sector Sees $400M Investment Boom

INVESTMENTS

SnackTeam

November 10, 2025

The health and wellness sector is buzzing with investment activity this week, with startups across supplements, AI health tech, diagnostics, beverages, and fitness raising over $400 million combined.

Bioavailable supplement brand Cymbiotika led the charge, closing a $25 million funding round to expand its premium nutrition offerings. AI-powered health companion Bevel Health followed with $10 million, signaling continued investor confidence in digital wellness solutions.

Meanwhile, Prenetics, the parent company of IM8 Health, secured a massive $48 million to boost its global presence in personalized healthcare. Longevity-focused startup Generation Lab raised $11 million for diagnostic innovations, while Blueprint Longevity, led by tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, topped the longevity category with a $60 million raise.

Functional beverage brand Recess scored $30 million to expand its range of mood-boosting drinks. Graymatter Co., a nootropic drink startup, brought in $1.3 million for its brain-enhancing mix. Even snacks made headlines—Cobs Popcorn, with support from tennis star Novak Djokovic, popped $5 million, and The Fruitist Co. secured a staggering $150 million for healthier snacking innovations.

In the fitness tech space, SweatPals, a social fitness platform, raised $12 million to scale its community-driven model. Lastly, probiotic soda maker Cove Soda landed $15 million, reflecting growing consumer demand for gut-friendly beverages.

From bioavailable supplements to longevity diagnostics and functional drinks, investors are betting big on the future of holistic health. As wellness increasingly blends science, community, and convenience, these fundings mark a new era in the global health economy.

Nykaa delivers 154% YoY profit jump in Q2 FY26 as beauty business drives growth

Growth

SnackTeam

November 10, 2025

FSN E-Commerce Ventures, the parent company of Nykaa, reported a sharp rise in profits for the September quarter, reflecting strong consumer demand across its core beauty and fashion businesses. The company posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 33 crore for Q2 FY26, marking a 154 percent jump compared to the same period last year.

Revenue from operations rose 25 percent year-on-year to Rs 2,346 crore, while overall Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) touched Rs 4,744 crore, up 30 percent. Nykaa’s gross profit climbed 28 percent to Rs 1,054 crore, the highest level in three years, underscoring steady margin improvement. EBITDA grew 53 percent to Rs 159 crore, with margins expanding to 6.8 percent from 5.5 percent in the previous year.

Falguni Nayar, Executive Chairperson, Founder and CEO of Nykaa, said the company’s performance reflected “accelerated growth momentum” across all verticals, supported by strong consumer engagement and a wave of new brand partnerships. The beauty segment, which continues to anchor the business, saw GMV increase 28 percent to Rs 3,551 crore, aided by robust e-commerce growth and expansion of Nykaa’s own brand portfolio. The “House of Nykaa” line recorded a 54 percent jump in GMV.

Nykaa added 19 new stores during the quarter, taking its physical network further across India, while also scaling its rapid-delivery service, Nykaa Now. The company’s cumulative beauty customer base reached 40 million, up 31 percent year-on-year.

The fashion vertical, which had been under pressure in previous quarters, showed signs of revival with GMV growing 37 percent, driven by new listings from brands such as GAP, Guess and H&M.

For the first half of FY26, Nykaa reported revenue of Rs 4,501 crore, up 24 percent year-on-year, and a profit of Rs 57 crore, nearly double the previous year’s figure.

Indian Silk House Agencies Sets Rs 1,000 Crore Target, Plans 400 Stores as Part of Nationwide Expansion Drive

Growth

SnackTeam

November 8, 2025

Kolkata-based ethnic wear brand Indian Silk House Agencies has unveiled ambitious expansion plans, targeting Rs 500 crore in revenue within two years and Rs 1,000 crore in the next five years. The company aims to achieve this growth through a strong focus on offline expansion, opening 400 stores across India, and strengthening its omnichannel presence.

Founded in 1926, Indian Silk House Agencies has built its legacy around premium sarees and ethnic wear that highlight India’s rich textile heritage. Now, the brand is looking to modernize its retail approach while maintaining its traditional identity. The company plans to scale up its footprint across metro cities as well as Tier-II and Tier-III towns to reach a broader customer base.

The aggressive expansion will be supported by investments in technology integration, logistics efficiency, and customer engagement through both online and offline platforms. The brand’s omnichannel model aims to offer seamless experiences across physical stores, its website, and online marketplaces, ensuring accessibility to customers across the country.

As demand for ethnic and fusion wear continues to rise, Indian Silk House Agencies is positioning itself to capture a significant share of the growing Indian apparel market. The company’s focus on quality craftsmanship, coupled with a data-driven retail strategy, is expected to fuel its next phase of growth.

With a century-long heritage and renewed business ambitions, Indian Silk House Agencies is ready to weave its traditional charm into a modern retail success story.

Mukesh Ambani’s Tira Turns Up the Heat: Reliance’s Beauty Arm Debuts in Makeup with Vegan Lip Plumping Tint

Beauty

SnackTeam

November 8, 2025

Image of tira — Mukesh Ambani’s Tira Turns Up the Heat: Reliance’s Beauty Arm Debuts in Makeup with Vegan Lip Plumping Tint

Reliance Retail’s beauty platform, Tira, has taken a major step into the makeup category with the launch of its first colour cosmetic — the Tira Lip Plumping Peptint. This marks the brand’s entry beyond skincare and fragrances into a fast-growing segment of India’s beauty market, dominated by both global and homegrown players.

The Peptint is a vegan and cruelty-free product available in nine shades, catering to a wide range of Indian skin tones. It combines colour and care, offering the dual benefit of a tint and a lip-plumping effect. With this launch, Tira aims to make beauty routines simpler, more inclusive, and experiential for modern Indian consumers who are increasingly drawn to multi-purpose products.

Reliance’s entry into the makeup space through Tira is seen as part of its larger strategy to establish a strong foothold in India’s booming beauty and personal care market, which is projected to touch $30 billion by 2027, according to industry estimates. The move also positions Tira to compete with major brands like Nykaa, Sephora, and Sugar Cosmetics.

Tira, which debuted in 2023 as a beauty e-commerce and retail platform, has been expanding its offline presence through exclusive stores in major metros. The introduction of its own makeup line reflects the brand’s ambition to build a 360-degree beauty ecosystem — from retailing international labels to creating homegrown innovations.

With the launch of the Peptint, Tira is signalling its intent to become a serious player in the colour cosmetics space, appealing to India’s fast-evolving, young, and conscious beauty consumers.

Swiggy to raise ₹10,000 crore as competition intensifies with Blinkit and Zepto

funding

SnackTeam

November 8, 2025

Swiggy’s board has given the go-ahead for a fundraising plan of up to Rs 10,000 crore as the company gears up for its next phase of growth amid intensifying competition in food delivery and quick commerce. The Bengaluru-based firm said the capital could be raised through a mix of public or private offerings, including a qualified institutional placement (QIP). Shareholder approval will be sought through an extraordinary general meeting conducted virtually in line with Sebi guidelines.

The fundraising comes as Swiggy faces a sharper competitive front from Zepto and Blinkit, both expanding aggressively in India’s 10–15-minute delivery space. The company is also weighing a separate capital raise for Instamart, its quick-commerce unit that was recently spun off into a standalone subsidiary. The move is seen as part of Swiggy’s strategy to give Instamart operational independence and attract investors focused on the fast-growing express delivery market.

Analysts believe the fresh infusion will help Swiggy strengthen its balance sheet, fund expansion in core verticals, and step up investments in logistics, marketing, and technology.

Financially, Swiggy has been showing signs of improvement. For the September quarter (Q2 FY26), it reported a net loss of Rs 1,092 crore, narrowing from Rs 1,197 crore in the previous quarter. Revenue from operations rose 54% year-on-year to Rs 5,561 crore, while adjusted revenue reached Rs 5,900 crore, up 52.6% year-on-year. Gross order value grew nearly 19% year-on-year, with a smaller EBITDA loss of Rs 695 crore.

Brokerages remain upbeat on Swiggy’s prospects. Morgan Stanley has retained its “Overweight” rating, while Motilal Oswal expects the company to maintain a balanced duopoly with Zomato, projecting 20–22% growth in order value over the next two fiscal years and setting a target price of Rs 550, indicating a 36% upside.

Bira 91’s Ankur Jain eyes asset sale to tackle unpaid wages and PF dues

Beverages

SnackTeam

November 7, 2025

Bira 91’s parent company, B9 Beverages, is taking urgent steps to stay afloat as a prolonged financial crunch leaves hundreds of employees unpaid for months. Founder and CEO Ankur Jain told staff this week that the company has secured a buyer for one of its assets, a move he said would help generate immediate cash to clear pending salaries and provident fund dues.

In a letter to employees reviewed by ET, Jain said the proposal had been sent to key lenders and shareholders for approval and that he was “hopeful of timely consent.” While he declined to specify which asset is being sold, Jain said the company is exploring multiple options to restore stability, including the sale of non-core assets and restructuring initiatives.

B9 Beverages, which owns the craft beer brand Bira 91, has been battling a severe liquidity crisis since early this year. Production has been halted since July, and employees have publicly appealed to the company’s board, shareholders, and even the Union government over unpaid dues stretching back more than six months. Around 250 employees had also petitioned for Jain’s removal last month, citing operational and financial mismanagement.

The company’s troubles have deepened following a steep financial decline in FY24, when losses ballooned to ₹748 crore—surpassing total revenue of ₹638 crore—as sales volumes slipped to around 6–7 million cases. B9 Beverages has yet to file its FY25 results.

Among its key investors are Japan’s Kirin Holdings, Anicut Capital, and Peak XV Partners. However, some investors have expressed skepticism about the asset sale, questioning the lack of transparency around the proposed deal. Jain, in his communication, said the funds raised would go toward settling provident fund obligations, paying the bottom half of the workforce—including former employees—and reviving operations in select markets to restart cash flow.

Rakesh Masala Taps Superstar Hrithik Roshan to Take On MDH, Everest and Catch in India’s Crowded Rs 30k-Crore Masala Market

SnackTeam

November 7, 2025

Image-of-rakesh-masala. — Rakesh Masala Taps Superstar Hrithik Roshan to Take On MDH, Everest and Catch in India’s Crowded Rs 30k-Crore Masala Market

Rakesh Masala, one of India’s fastest-growing spice and food product brands, has announced Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan as its new brand ambassador. The move marks a major marketing push for the company as it aims to strengthen its national presence in India’s fiercely competitive packaged spices market, currently dominated by players such as MDH, Everest, Catch and Tata Sampann.

The partnership kicked off with the launch of a fresh television commercial featuring Hrithik Roshan. The campaign highlights Rakesh Masala’s focus on purity, aroma and authenticity, while placing Hrithik as the face of the brand’s premium quality promise. According to industry executives, onboarding a high-value celebrity like Hrithik signals the company’s intent to scale aggressively across retail and modern trade channels.

The new TVC showcases Hrithik in a warm, family-centric narrative, reinforcing the brand’s tagline while aiming to build emotional recall among consumers. With India’s branded spices market estimated to be worth over Rs 30,000 crore, and set to grow at a double-digit rate, Rakesh Masala is looking to carve out a larger slice through high-impact advertising and deeper distribution.

Marketing analysts believe that celebrity partnerships continue to be a powerful driver of brand trust, especially in the food and FMCG categories. By associating with Hrithik, known for his credibility and strong mass appeal, Rakesh Masala hopes to bolster consumer confidence and expand its footprint in newer regions.

The company has not yet disclosed the campaign’s budget, but industry insiders suggest it could be one of Rakesh Masala’s most ambitious marketing spends to date. With Hrithik Roshan now onboard, the brand is gearing up for a more aggressive presence across TV, digital and in-store promotions.

India Records Highest Alcohol Growth Among 20 Global Markets, Fueled by Premium Brands

Growth

SnackTeam

November 7, 2025

India has emerged as the fastest-growing market for total beverage alcohol (TBA) consumption among 20 key global markets, marking its third consecutive half-year period of leading the charts. Driven largely by whisky, India’s TBA volume surged 7% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, underscoring the country’s evolving drinking culture and growing appetite for premium spirits.

According to industry data, whisky continues to dominate India’s alcohol market, accounting for the lion’s share of consumption. The growth is being propelled not just by increased affordability and urbanisation, but also by a rising preference for premium and craft offerings among younger consumers. Premium categories have outperformed the overall market, suggesting that Indian consumers are trading up for higher-quality products.

Experts note that this sustained growth positions India to soon become the fifth-largest alcohol market globally by volume. The trend also reflects changing social norms and expanding distribution networks, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. International brands are capitalising on this momentum by deepening their presence in India, while domestic players are investing heavily in innovation, flavour experimentation, and branding.

Despite high taxation and regulatory hurdles, the sector’s outlook remains robust, supported by increasing disposable incomes and a young population. Analysts predict continued momentum through 2026, with whisky, beer, and ready-to-drink beverages expected to be key growth drivers.

India’s rising influence in the global alcohol industry signals not just a shift in consumption trends but also a broader cultural transformation — one that is placing the country firmly on the world’s beverage map.

Britannia Industries Q2 Net Profit Rises 23% YoY to ₹655 Crore, Revenue at ₹4,752 Crore

Growth

SnackTeam

November 6, 2025

Britannia Industries reported a solid second quarter for FY26, posting a 23 percent year-on-year rise in consolidated net profit at ₹655 crore, driven by stable commodity prices and continued cost discipline. The maker of Good Day and Marie Gold biscuits had reported a profit of ₹532 crore in the same period last year.

Revenue from product sales increased 4 percent to ₹4,752 crore, while total income rose 3.8 percent to ₹4,893 crore in the September quarter, compared to ₹4,668 crore in the year-ago period. Total expenses remained largely unchanged at ₹4,006 crore, reflecting the company’s focus on operational efficiency.

Britannia’s Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Varun Berry, said the company delivered “reasonable growth” in revenue alongside a healthy expansion in profit margins, supported by relatively stable input costs and sustained optimization efforts across its value chain.

He added that the government’s recent GST rate rationalisation is a positive step for consumer demand and broader market sentiment. However, he acknowledged that transitional challenges following the tax changes, particularly around supply chain and trade adjustments, temporarily affected business performance during the latter part of the quarter. These effects, he said, are expected to ease in the coming months.

Despite these short-term headwinds, Britannia’s adjacent bakery categories — including rusk, wafers, and croissants — continued to record strong double-digit growth. The company also saw momentum in its e-commerce channel, which boosted sales of indulgent and on-the-go products.

For the first half of FY26, Britannia’s total income rose 6 percent to ₹9,572 crore. Looking ahead, the company said it will focus on driving volume-led growth, expanding its reach across regions with localized strategies, and maintaining price competitiveness while leveraging its brand strength to stay ahead in an increasingly fragmented market.

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