Indian pizzerias make their mark: Two restaurants earn spots in Top 50 Pizzerias of Asia!

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July 31, 2023

Whether it’s an elegant evening with a special someone or a laid-back hangout with friends, Pizza stands out as one of the most beloved dishes worldwide. The sheer joy of savoring this Italian delight can brighten the spirits of just about anyone. Among the enthusiastic consumers, youngsters take a particular delight in indulging in pizza whenever and wherever the opportunity arises! Consequently, a multitude of pizza restaurants have sprung up on every street in India, all vying to serve the finest pizzas adorned with delectable toppings.

In a recent announcement, Top-50 Pizza, renowned for its rankings of the finest pizzerias globally, revealed the highly anticipated list of the top 50 pizzerias in the Asia Pacific for 2023. This comprehensive ranking has shone a spotlight on India’s pizza scene, as it proudly features two Indian pizzerias among the best in the region.

The prestigious event took place in Tokyo in May, where Top-50 Pizza unveiled region-specific guides for Europe, Italy, America, and the rest of the world. During this momentous occasion, two Indian representatives received well-deserved recognition, bringing honor to their country and showcasing India’s culinary excellence in the wider Asia Pacific region.

The first pizzeria to make it to the list is ‘Da Susy’, located in the Sector 50 area of Gurugram. Securing the impressive position of number 44 on this prestigious ranking, Da Susy also boasts an outlet in Crosspoint Mall within Gurugram itself. Chef-owned by the talented Susanna Di Cosimo, the pizzeria is known for its delectable Neapolitan-style pizza, crafted with the finest and freshest ingredients.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Chef Susanna expressed her gratitude, saying, ‘I am very grateful to my team that works hard and diligently for me day in and day out.’

Their work has been honoured with three awards including Best Pizzeria in India, 44th Best Pizzeria in Asia and ‘One to Watch’.

Meanwhile, Leo’s Pizzeria was in 47th place, which has outlets in Vasant Vihar, Amar Colony and will soon open its doors in Ghitorni as well. Established by Amol Kumar, the pizza chain has quickly carved a niche in the hearts of pizza lovers across the city.

Topping the chart in this list is Tokyo’s The Pizza Bar located on the 38th floor of the Mandarin Hotel in Nihombashi, Japan.

Tim Tam Tummy launches world’s first probiotic kombucha drinks for kids, redefining children’s beverage options

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July 31, 2023

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Tim Tam Tummy has launched what the company describes as the “world’s first” kombucha drinks for children.

As per the brand’s statement, Tim Tam Tummy seeks to outdo conventional juice boxes and “other old-school options” by offering families an alternative that places a greater emphasis on probiotics.

The beverages come in four fruity flavors with a delightful touch of “gentle carbonation,” comprising Apple Happy Dance, Grape Day to Shine, Mango For It!, and Pineapple Party.

Tim Tam Tummy provides several benefits, such as offering children 3 billion live probiotics and a daily dose of vitamin C and containing five organic ingredients, as well as being free from artificial additives and alternative sweeteners.

Mary Alice Greco, Tim Tam Tummy’s Chief Marketing Officer, said, “When it comes to better-for-you beverages, the kids’ aisle has been largely left behind. As a new parent, I am searching for organic options that bring nutrition, function, and kid-friendly flavour to the forefront. It’s a joy to launch Tim Tam Tummy, filling the gap with a product that addresses parents’ and kids’ top priorities – digestive health, immune function, convenience and fun.”

Subway’s out-of-the-box promotion: Change your name to ‘Subway’ and win free sandwiches for life!

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July 31, 2023

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Subway, the fast food chain, has introduced an extraordinary promotion where they offer free sandwiches to individuals who decide to legally change their first name to ‘Subway.’ It may sound unbelievable, but that’s the incredible deal they’re putting forward!

Between August 1 and 4, participants can visit SubwayNameChange.com and enter the competition to potentially win a lifetime supply of Subway Deli Heroes. To be eligible for this fantastic prize, they must legally commit to changing their first names to ‘Subway.’

Once the name registration process is complete, Subway will carefully select a single winner who will not only receive free sandwiches for life but also embark on a brand-new identity. Furthermore, the fast food chain will cover all the legal expenses associated with the winner’s name change.

“Between August 1 and August 4, Subway superfans and sandwich lovers can visit SubwayNameChange.com, and enter to win free Subway Deli Heroes for life if they commit to legally change their name,’ Subway said in a statement.

Wish your name was more unique? Why not make it Subway? Drop what yours would be ?
— Subway® (@SUBWAY) July 27, 2023

“Subway will select one lucky winner to earn free sandwiches and assume an iconic new identity. Subway will provide the winner with money to reimburse them for legal and processing costs for the name change, making it easy and effortless to become Subway and enjoy a lifetime of delicious subs,” it further said.

Indeed, this isn’t the first time Subway has presented such a distinctive offer.

In 2022, the food chain initiated a contest offering year-long free sandwiches to participants who were willing to get tattooed. The size and dimensions of the tattoo were directly proportional to the cash prize, following a first-come, first-serve basis.

At present, Subway caters to custom-made sandwiches, wraps, salads, and bowls in over 100 countries and territories, operating nearly 37,000 restaurants each day.

Royal surprise: Prince William takes over food truck, serves eco-friendly burgers in London

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July 31, 2023

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Britain’s Prince William delighted the crowds in central London on Sunday with a truly ‘royal’ surprise. Taking on a hands-on role, he served environmentally friendly burgers from a food truck, spreading awareness and celebrating the outstanding work of last year’s Earthshot Prize winners. The ‘Earthshot Burgers’ were a symbol of his commitment to highlighting the remarkable contributions of five individuals to environmentalism and sustainability, showcasing their dedication to making a positive impact on the planet.

The Prince joined forces with the creators of the renowned YouTube channel ‘Sorted Food,’ boasting an impressive subscriber count of over 2.7 million. This channel is widely known for its eco-friendly reviews of kitchen gadgets and recipe sharing. In a captivating video featured on their platform, viewers were delighted to witness the Prince personally serving mouthwatering burgers to astonished customers.

The video starts with Prince William’s arrival at the Sorted Food studio, where he graciously presents the items produced by some of the 2022 Earthshot Prize winners.

As it proceeds, the prince can be heard saying, “Coming right up…Morning everyone, nicely cooked, ready to go,” reported news agency Reuters.

“So the box you’re about to eat in is built by a company called Notpla and there’s no plastic involved, they’ve come up with a seaweed coating,” the prince can be heard telling customers at the burger van.

The prince went on to say, “The ingredients inside the burger are grown from a greenhouse in India from a company called Kheyti, and last but not least, the way we cook them has been on a thing called Mukuru Clean Stoves, and that is designed by a lady in Kenya who came up with the concept to reduce air pollution.”

“…Can’t vouch for the taste, the quality but … I’m rolling with it,” he added.

Reliance Retail officially confirms Milkbasket’s merger with JioMart; dismisses layoff rumors

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July 31, 2023

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Reliance Retail-owned Milkbasket has taken significant strides towards streamlining its operations. As part of this endeavor, the company is currently in the process of integrating its brand with the popular e-commerce platform, JioMart. A spokesperson from Milkbasket shared this update in response to recent reports speculating about the potential discontinuation of Milkbasket. These reports had hinted at the launch of an innovative platform called ‘Jio Smart Daily’ by Reliance Retail.

“The business is being integrated with JioMart which is our e-commerce platform,” said the spokesperson.

Reinstating the same, an industry source said, “Reliance plans to rebrand the Milkbasket application and focus only on promoting a single Jio brand.”

According to media reports, Milkbasket has undergone a workforce reduction of approximately 25-30 percent, resulting in the dismissal of about 600 employees in the past few months. Although SnackFax was unable to provide direct confirmation regarding the exact scale of the layoffs, reliable sources familiar with the situation stated that the affected employees encompass the entire offline marketing, sales, and head office teams.

Declining any layoffs, the Milkbasket spokesperson stated, “As part of the integration, there may be some realignment/reallocation of roles across functions within the group, but we are not laying off any employee.”

Additionally, in March of this year, the company experienced significant departures at the top-level, which included the company’s sole Co-Founder Yatish Talvadia, its COO Abhinav Imandi, and CFO Gaurav Srivastava. These departures have been verified through the LinkedIn profiles of the respective employees.

The restructuring process commenced in March of this year. Recently, a former employee of the company, who wishes to remain anonymous, revealed that on July 27, the pan-India marketing team and the growth team were asked to resign by the HR department. Additionally, the category team has been placed on a performance improvement plan (PIP), according to the same source.

According to reports, the remaining staff of Milkbasket will be given the opportunity to secure positions within Jio’s SmartPoint and Smart Bazaar teams.

Responding to queries, the Milkbasket spokesperson said, “Your queries are citing incorrect information. We would like to state that Milkbasket, as a brand, continues to grow and serve its customers. Milkbasket is live in 24 cities and operations are being further expanded in existing cities as well as being launched into new cities. In the long term, we aim to cover all tier 1 cities with our daily subscription service.”

After its acquisition by Reliance Retail, the brand, which initially operated in just three cities – Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru, significantly accelerated its expansion and extended its presence to approximately 30 cities. In the financial results for Q2 FY22, the retail giant revealed that it had acquired a 96.49 percent stake in Milkbasket.

According to the industry source, starting early this year, the company opted to scale back its presence in the recently entered cities and focused on consolidating its operations in the existing markets.

United Breweries Q1 net profit slumps 16% to INR 136.34 Crore; sales reach INR 5,243 Crore

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July 31, 2023

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United Breweries Ltd, the beer manufacturer, has recorded a 16.09% decrease in its consolidated net profit for the first quarter of June 2023, amounting to INR 136.34 crore. The decline can be attributed to several factors, including supply challenges, reduced inter-state sales, and the ongoing inflation, which collectively affected the company’s volumes during the period.

In a regulatory filing on Friday, United Breweries Ltd (UBL) revealed that the company, which is under the control of the Dutch multinational brewing company Heineken NV, had recorded a net profit of INR 162.50 crore in the April-June quarter of the previous year.

UBL’s revenue from operations was almost flat to INR 5,243.01 crore during the quarter under review. It stood at INR 5,196.08 crore in the corresponding period of FY22.

“Q1 volumes impacted by RTM (root to market) changes, supply challenges & lower inter-state sales,” said an earning presentation from UBL.

It had a volume decline of 12 per cent in the June quarter driven by Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi and Haryana. In the premium segment, the volume decline was 21 per cent.

“Gross Profit predominantly impacted by volume decline & COGS (Cost of Goods Sold) inflation with GP margin 369bps down,” it said.

Besides, it has price increases in key markets including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka.

UBL’s total expenses were at INR 5,072.96 crore, up 1.69 per cent in the first quarter of FY 2023-24, as against INR 4,988.37 crore a year ago.

Its total income in the June quarter was at INR 5,253.43 crore.

“Capex during the quarter was INR 45 crore, primarily in supply chain initiatives,” said UBL’s earning statement.

Over the outlook, UBL said inflationary pressure on the cost base is expected to soften in the near-term but volatility will remain.

“We continue to focus on revenue management and cost initiatives, to drive margin accretion,” it said.

It is building further category growth while driving the share of premium in its portfolio remains a key focus

“We remain optimistic on the long-term growth potential of the industry, driven by increasing disposable income, favourable demographics and premiumisation,” said UBL.

Tomato prices soar to INR 200/kg in Tamil Nadu as heavy rains impact crop in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh

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July 31, 2023

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There seems to be no respite for the people from the rising prices of tomatoes in Tamil Nadu as the wholesale price of the vegetable touched INR 200 per kilogram in the state capital and many towns on Sunday.

The shortage of the product in the Koyambedu wholesale market in Chennai has led to the spiraling price rise of tomatoes.

P.V. Ahmad, a wholesale vegetable dealer in Koyambedu market said, “There is a shortage in the arrival of tomatoes from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh due to the heavy losses in crop due to intermittent rain in these states. Heavy rain has led to a total loss of crops and hence the shortage in the arrival of tomatoes. This has led to the hike in prices of tomatoes in the market.”

Traders also said that the price is likely to rise into INR 250 / kg in a week’s time

P. Sukumaran, secretary of the Koyambedu Wholesale Merchants Association, said, “This is the first time since the opening of this market that the price of tomatoes has touched INR 200 per kilogram. This is unprecedented. We were expecting the rates to get steady by July 20 but sudden rain has led to the loss of crops and more than 50 per cent of tomatoes cultivated in Andhra and Karnataka have been lost due to the rain.”

While the wholesale market was selling tomatoes at INR 200 per kilogram, in certain retail shops, tomatoes were sold at INR 185 per kilogram.

Kuppusaamy, a vegetable seller in Pammal, Chennai said, “We are selling tomatoes at less than the rates that we buy as we want to avoid wastage.”

The sale volume has also decreased drastically and people are not buying tomatoes and instead focusing on other vegetables.

Terra Food Co. raises $800K in Pre-Series A funding, eyes aggressive expansion in untapped markets

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July 31, 2023

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Terra Food Co. (TFC), a trailblazing gourmet cloud kitchen company, has accomplished a remarkable feat by securing $800,000 in its Pre-Series A funding round. This significant financial backing was made possible by a distinguished group of investors, which includes Zero to One Fund, Twin & Bull Fund, ah! Ventures, and various angel investors from around the world. Notably, TFC’s existing investors, such as Lets Venture, Faad Network, and The Chennai Angels, also enthusiastically joined this round, reaffirming their unwavering belief in TFC’s trajectory and untapped potential for growth.

Founded by the visionary entrepreneur Sriram Nair, TFC embarked on its journey in Ahmedabad back in 2019. The company’s roots can be traced back to Sriram Nair’s pioneering café and flagship store, Terra, which first introduced the innovative farm-to-table concept to Ahmedabad in 2017. Inspired by the success of Terra’s dine-in restaurant, TFC took a bold step into the cloud kitchen realm, aiming to bring niche and gourmet cuisine formats to underserved Tier 2 cities, all while ensuring affordability.

Sriram Nair added, “With a strong focus on Tier 2 markets, TFC has witnessed remarkable growth, currently processing an impressive monthly volume of 26,000 orders and generating a monthly recurring revenue of over INR 1 crore. Bolstered by this recent funding, TFC plans to double its revenue by November 2023, capitalizing on its existing kitchen facilities.”

With the successful completion of this Pre-Series A funding round, TFC is poised to invigorate its business expansion, broaden its brand portfolio, channel investments into cutting-edge food technology and product development, and augment its skilled workforce. As the company sets its sights on the Series A funding round, scheduled to conclude by the end of the financial year, it anticipates an even more substantial boost to its growth trajectory.

TFC functions as a versatile multichannel food company, strategically utilizing both online and offline platforms to serve the surging aspirations and disposable income of consumers in Tier 2 cities. The company’s diverse portfolio of brands, comprising Terra Gourmet, Sushito, Zeus Burger, Noodle Van, Aho Punjab, Pickup Meals, Jaani Maani Biryani, Papadum, and Hiit Meals, has received a warm and enthusiastic reception in markets where access to gourmet cuisine options was previously limited.

The company’s future expansion plans include venturing into other Tier 2 cities like Baroda, Surat, Jodhpur, Indore, and Bhopal over the next two quarters. Terra Food Co. aims to establish itself as a pioneer in accessible and convenient gourmet dining through unique pickup and cloud kitchen models, redefining how Indians order and enjoy food online.

As TFC continues on its mission to revolutionize the culinary landscape in India, investors remain optimistic about the company’s potential and its ability to tap into the vast opportunities presented by Tier 2 markets with untapped potential for gourmet cuisines.

Chai Sutta Bar achieves remarkable milestone of 500 outlets spanning 300 cities, unveils latest addition in vibrant Mumbai

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July 31, 2023

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Chai Sutta Bar (CSB), the indigenous tea chain, is thrilled to declare the launch of its 500th outlet in Malad, Mumbai. This landmark achievement cements CSB’s position as the leading Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) chain with the highest number of outlets in India. The inauguration of this outlet represents a momentous milestone in CSB’s journey and underscores the brand’s steadfast dedication to providing its consumers with exceptional tea experiences.

Expressing his enthusiasm on this momentous occasion, Anubhav Dubey, Co-Founder and CEO of Chai Sutta Bar, stated, “We are incredibly proud to mark the opening of our 500th outlet in Mumbai. This milestone represents the dedication and hard work of our entire team, and franchise partners, and the overwhelming love and support from our consumers. Chai Sutta Bar has always been more than just a tea chain. As we expand our reach, our vision remains steadfast—to provide a warm and inviting space where tea lovers can connect, unwind, and savor delightful tea flavours.”

As CSB embarks on its journey into the future, the brand continues to uphold its commitment to empowering local artisans and communities. Through the creative utilization of kulhad cups, not only does CSB enhance the flavor of its tea, but it also creates sustainable employment opportunities for more than 500 potter families. This innovative approach reflects the brand’s vision of promoting both traditional craftsmanship and eco-friendly practices, ensuring a positive impact on society and the environment.

Little Bit Sober unveils its vintage charm and innovative mixology in Kolkata

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July 31, 2023

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Little Bit Sober, a clandestine jewel amid the plethora of cocktail bars, has surfaced as a haven of sobriety amidst the vibrant city of Kolkata. Concealed within the walls of a vintage office building from the late 19th century, this exceptional bar aspires to elevate the city to international acclaim in the realm of mixology. Within its doors, patrons are treated to an enchanting fusion of timeless allure and cutting-edge techniques, creating a truly captivating experience.

With its elegant design, the expanse of this space stretches across 1800 square feet, accommodating 56 covers and exclusively operating during the evening hours.

Founded by Chirag Punwani and Rudradipta Mukherjee, Little Bit Sober boasts an impressive cocktail program led by expert mixologist Nitin Tiwari, while the food program thrives under the guidance of chef Rituparna Banerjee.

At Little Bit Sober, the spotlight shines on craftsmanship and innovation, as they proudly showcase a team of accomplished mixologists committed to showcasing their in-house creations. Aptly named the ‘Poet Edition,’ their debut menu presents each cocktail with an artful poetic description, adding a touch of creativity and elegance to the overall experience.

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