Thai food chain Minor to enter India by 2010

Thailand-based Minor Food Group will enter the Indian market next year and plans to bring three of its major brands of ice-cream, pizza and cafe.

The company, which owns the ‘Swensen’s’ brand of ice- cream chain along with fast food brand ‘The Pizza Company’ and coffee chain ‘The Coffee Club’, plans to set up operations in India by mid 2010 through the franchise route.

“We have appointed a master franchisee for Swensen’s in India and the first restaurant will be opened in Bangalore by the middle of next year. We plan to open one new Swensen’s (outlet) every month in the country,” said Gary Moore, general manager (Franchising), Minor Food Group.

He, however, refused to disclose the identity of the master franchisee citing confidentiality agreement. “We will also be starting Indian operations of two of our other brands-The Pizza Hut and The Coffee House - by the end of 2010. We are currently looking for master franchisee partners for them,” Moore said.

Asked about the company’s long-term India plans, he said, “We are looking for a number which goes into hundreds for all the three chains over a period of 5-6 years. The food business is a mass market area and there is potential for huge expansion.”

Source:ImagesFood

Thai food chain Minor to enter India by 2010

4:27 AM Thai food chain Minor to enter India by 2010

Brewberrys plans to open 50 outlets by 2010 end

In an attempt to expand its footprint in India, leading hospitality group Brew Berrys Hospitality Pvt Ltd, which operates the Brewberrys chain of cafes has planned to open 50 new cafe outlets by the end of the year 2010, according to a top company official. Currently, the company operates around 16 outlets in cities including Vadodara, Ahmadabad, Surat, Indore, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram and Bhopal.

Speaking exclusively to ImagesFood.com, Ankur Gupta, CEO, director, Brew Berrys Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. said, “As planned, we will be opening around ten outlets each in Maharashtra and Karnataka. The remaining 25 outlets we will be opening in cities including Delhi, Ahmadabad, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Cochin, Lavasa(Pune), Hyderabad, Vishakhapatnam, Lucknow and Punjab. Further, backed by great response in Ranchi, we plan to open atleast five more outlets across Jharkhand and Orissa regions.”

Discussing the location strategy Gupta said, “ We will be operating our cafe in three formats ie. Cafe, kiosk and Bistro with an average investment of Rs 8 – 16 lacs on each outlet depending on the size. On high streets we would set up cafe and Bistro model outlets and on the other hand we would also open outlets at shopping malls, airports, institutions etc. in the kiosk model.”

Further, he informed that the average size of the Cafe outlets would be 600 to 1,500 sq.ft. Area, for kiosk model it would be around 50 to 120 sq.ft. and 1500 to 2500 sq.ft for Bistro model. According to the company's plan all the outlets will be operated as franchise model and the average turnover from these outlets is expected to be approx. 20 crore for the year.

The Brewberrys cafe menu includes coffee and blends, teas, variety of frappe, thick shakes, fruit smoothies, fizzers and mocktails, sundaes, fusion and health drinks. Some of its signature products include 'tall and dark' cold coffee, priced between Rs 60 to Rs 80, Choco brew available at Rs 40-60 and Mocha stax and Black magic priced between Rs 80 to Rs 100.

Further, the cafe offers a unique food menu including Sandwich bar, Specialty Pizza, Burgers, Salads, pastries, brownies, muffins and other bakery dishes. As informed, the outlets have a strong centralised operations system and their master software is developed and supported by leading IT firm TCS.

Source: ImagesFood

Brewberrys plans to open 50 outlets by 2010 end

4:25 AM Brewberrys plans to open 50 outlets by 2010 end

USDA officially endorses the International Food and Drink Expo India 2009

The USDA-FAS (US department of agriculture - foreign agricultural service) has officially endorsed the International Food & Drink Expo India 2009. The event will take place on December 2-4, 2009, at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. H Higgins, minister counsellor for agricultural affairs at the US Embassy in New Delhi, says, "As imports of ready-to-eat food products continue to grow in India, we see great opportunities for US food and beverage companies to be in this market."

According to the department, the mission of USDA-FAS is to expand global markets for the American agriculture. USDA-FAS developed a relationship with IMEX Management who will organise a collective USA Pavilion at the show in order to expand market opportunities and exposure in India for US food manufacturers and products.

The three-day event will showcase food & beverage products like alcoholic beverage - beers, wines, spirits, frozen and chilled produce, bakery & biscuits, milk and milk products, catering services, confectionery and snacks, organic and natural products, speciality and fine foods, fresh fruits & vegetables, meat and meat products and convenience items.

Further, SUSTA (Southern United States Trade Association) has also decided to join in the USA pavilion at the show and appreciate the market potential in India.

BM Wiltz, deputy director and international marketing director (Generic programme), SUSTA, says, "With a population of over one billion and a middle class that is larger than the entire US population according to some analysts, SUSTA views the Indian market as an excellent opportunity for US food suppliers to increase their exports and for Indian importers to discover unique and varied food products from the Southern region of the United States. We see India as the "untapped" market with a vibrant economy, we are increasing our efforts to be a part of this and facilitate opportunities for our Southern US suppliers in this market."

Source: ImagesFood

USDA officially endorses the International Food and Drink Expo India 2009

4:24 AM USDA officially endorses the International Food and Drink Expo India 2009

Jawad to invest Rs150 crore in restaurant biz

Jawad Business Group, a West Asia-based retail company that operates franchise restaurants under Papa Johns brand in west and south of India, is looking at launching and expanding two new restaurant formats in the country -- Chili's and The Great Kebab Factory.

The company is operating in India for two years. While Papa Johns (from the US), a pizza joint, has 25 outlets across India, the newer formats -- Chili's (from the US) and The Great Kebab Factory (from Delhi) will focus on casual dining and upscale dining, respectively.

The group is looking at opening 15 Chili's restaurants over a period of five years and five The Great Kebab restaurants over two years. The first few Chili's and The Great Kebab Factory restaurants have already been launched in Mumbai and Bangalore.

For Papa Johns, the company plans to reach 30 stores by the end of this fiscal and about a 100 in another five years.

Tapan Vaidya, general manager, restaurants at Jawad Business Group, revealed that the expansion will happen across Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, Baroda, Chennai and others; and the company is looking at investing Rs150 crore for this over the couple of years.

It plans to raise this money through a mix of internal accruals, bank loans and private placement.

Source:ImagesFood

Jawad to invest Rs150 crore in restaurant biz

4:22 AM Jawad to invest Rs150 crore in restaurant biz

Jollibee Foods plans to open new outlets in Vietnam, India

Filipino-based franchisor and operator of quick service restaurant concepts Jollibee Foods Corp. sees Vietnam and India as the next countries where it wants to aggressively expand after conquering the local industry and establishing a solid presence in China.

“We would like to focus more in Vietnam because it is a growing economy so I would like to focus our efforts there,” Tony Tan Caktiong, chairman, Jollibee said in a media report. The company has ten to twelve Jollibee outlets in Vietnam and so far, the stores are doing well.

But instead of bringing in one of his brands in India, Tan Caktiong said the group wants to buy a food company in India and will use this as its stepping stone. The problem however is that most companies operate only small chains of food outlets, the most is 30 stores, he said.

“Among the problems we encountered is the availability of acquisition; they do not have big chains. Also, we do not understand very much its culture,” he said.

“We are still interested if we can do something in India. If it will not coming up next year, then maybe the following year. India is a big country which is why we want to do something there,” Tan Caktiong said.

Jollibee Foods Corp., he said, is in the lookout for potential acquisition in India and has recently hired an Indian manager to join the company.

“We will not bring an outlet there; we might acquire and as long as the valuation is correct and there is a potential to grow it and the character of the people is right, we will give it a go,” Tan Caktiong said.

Source:ImagesFood

Jollibee Foods plans to open new outlets in Vietnam, India

4:21 AM India, Jollibee Foods plans to open new outlets in Vietnam

United Biscuits buys manufacturing facility of HP firm

United Biscuits, the world’s third largest biscuit maker, is making its Indian foray by taking over the manufacturing facility of a little-known Himachal Pradesh (HP) firm, according to a media report. The UK-based makers of McVitie’s, Hoola Hoops and Jacob’s Cream Crackers brands is buying the facility of SS Food Industries (SSFI) that makes biscuits for exports to Africa and the Middle East, a person with direct knowledge of the development said.

McVitie’s, a digestive biscuit made of wheat and high fibre, occupies a distinct ‘health’ positioning. It is expected to compete with Britannia’s Marie Gold and NutriChoice and Sunfeast Marie Lite.

The $1.6-billion United Biscuits (UB) is expected to launch its flagship brand in India in the first quarter next year. The company’s Indian operations is headed by Jayant Kapre who was earlier with confectionery company Wrigley and beverage maker PepsiCo India.

United Biscuits has been scouting for a possible manufacturing or distribution alliance in India for more than a year and the acquisition of SSFI’s plant marks its entry into the Rs 6,000-crore Indian biscuits market dominated by Britannia and Parle.

To begin with, it is not considering an outright financial investment in any company in India. As of now, the plant in HP will make brands like McVitie’s in India, it is learnt.

Biscuits is an intensely competitive segment in India. Apart from the three national players — Parle, Britannia and ITC (that makes the Sunfeast brand) — the category has strong regional brands such as Priyagold, Cremica and Dukes.

United Biscuits, founded in 1948 following the merger of Scottish family businesses McVitie & Price and MacFarlane Lang, is now jointly owned by global private investment firm BlackStone and European private equity firm PAI.

In global markets, marketing and sales of United Biscuits and snacks is managed by group division United Biscuits International (UBI). By and large, UB has tapped global markets either through direct representation or by entering into distributor tie-ups.

In May this year, it mandated global IT services and technology company Genpact for a seven-year contract to provide multiple finance and accounting services for United Biscuits.

Source: ImagesFood

United Biscuits buys manufacturing facility of HP firm

4:19 AM United Biscuits buys manufacturing facility of HP firm

Nestle to mull acquiring nutri biz of Speciality Foods

FMCG major Nestle today said its board of directors, in a meeting scheduled to be held on December 9, would consider the acquisition of nutrition business of Specialty Foods India.

A meeting of board of directors will be held on December 9 to consider the proposal of Specialty Foods India for a possible acquisition of its health-care nutrition business by Nestle," the company said in a filing to Bombay Stock Exchange.

Specialty Foods India, which sells its nutritional and health-care products under brands such as Resource, Optifast, Spert etc has reported a revenue of Rs 28.8 crore for the fiscal ended March 31, 2009.

Nestle to mull acquiring nutri biz of Speciality Foods

4:17 AM Nestle to mull acquiring nutri biz of Speciality Foods

Bhat's Foods launches ready-to-eat chapattis

In a recent development, Karnataka-based bakery range manufacturer Polykorp Private Limited's food division Bhat’s Foods has launched ready-to-eat chapattis. Currently, Karnataka is the market for these chapattis but the company is gearing up for a national foot print early next year, according to a media report.

The ready-to-eat chapattis are made out of wheat, jowar and ragi. An additional offering is the masala chapattis. The product will be offered to institutions and large industrial canteens besides being available at leading retail outlets.

“The ready-to-eat chapattis will now simplify the concept of cooking for the working population and single home individuals. It will also provide the small hotels a big relief to save labour costs,” B S Bhat, managing director of Bhat’s Foods, said in a media report.

The company has invested Rs 8 lakh to install an indigenous fabricated chapatti machine which consists of a S S Steel bowl to mix the dough. The flour mixture is transported into a hydraulic press to create uniform shaped chapattis which is then cooked. There is not much human intervention during the making of chapattis.

The machine can produce 1,000 chapattis per hour. In less than 27 seconds one chapatti can be prepared. The shelf life of the product is 3 days and 7 days under refrigeration.

Currently, the company has been able to supply 4,000 chapattis a day. It is most-sought- after by industrial canteens and caterers. Bhat said that there was a huge demand for these chapattis and there are not many players in the organised sector. However a handful exist in the small and tiny industry space.

The company claims that this is the novel mechanised way of making chapattis. The entire process of sourcing and manufacturing is carried out in accordance with the Food Safety & Standard Act, 2006. The plain chapattis are priced at Rs 35 for 300 grams. Masala chapattis cost Rs 40.

As part of its next phase of expansion, company is scouting for franchisees. All the guidance will be provided from the machine fabrication to setting up of the unit. “The estimated cost for a franchisee outlet is between Rs 15 and 25 lakh,” said Bhat.

Another business opportunity for chapatti makers is the concept of vending chapatti rolls with veg or non-veg filling. Kiosks can be put up at malls and shopping centres to offer these anytime snacks.

Future products in the pipeline include high fibre content chapattis and rice rotis. Efforts are on to seek Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) and ISO certification.

Polykorp Private Limited is known for its leading bakery range sold under the brand name ‘Beekays’. The company’s other division Bakers Shoppee deals with supply of imported bakery and café machines.

Source: ImagesFood

Bhat's Foods launches ready-to-eat chapattis

4:15 AM Bhat's Foods launches ready-to-eat chapattis

Amira Foods India to expand distribution network pan India

Amira Foods India, producers and distributors of Amira brand of Basmati rice, will expand their distribution network pan-India to reach out all segments of the trade in India. Currently, the company has almost 100 distributors and sales staff across the country.

According to Rajesh Nangroo, vice president – sales & marketing, Amira Foods India, the company would focus on enhancing their distribution in HORECA (Hotel Restaurants & Catering) segment in the future. Nangroo was speaking to Hospitality Biz on the sidelines of the three-day food festival, which was organised by Amira Foods India jointly with DLF Club in Gurgaon recently.

In the HORECA segment, Amira is the exclusive distributors of Basmati for Pride Hotels and hotels like Radisson Pune and major clubs and restaurants in the National Capital Region (NCR) Delhi, informed Nangroo. He said, “Major hotels have annual contract system and we will participate in the tendering system of these hotels from next year.” However, he informed that the hotel industry in the country is not organised like in other countries and still depend on general trade in a big way.

He also said, “The Indian market is slowly changing from commodity to packaged rice. Branding is yet to evolve in the market. Hence, we feel that we are here at the right time.”

Amira has launched their branded distribution in the domestic market almost a year ago and have rice varieties to cater to all segments of consumers. These include Amira Pure Basmati, Amira Indigo Basmati, Amira Good Length and Amira Good Health Brown Basmati. These varieties are available in one kg, five kg, 10 kg and 25 kg packing.

Source:ImagesFood

Amira Foods India to expand distribution network pan India

4:14 AM Amira Foods India to expand distribution network pan India

Spencer’s Retail to launch private labels food products

RPG Group promoted Spencer’s Retail is planning to launch private labels processed food products like potato chips, biscuits, pasta and is currently testing standalone stores of fish and meat soon, according to a media report.

“In fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), we want to quadrapule contribution from private labels in the next 18 months. We enjoy 40per cent share in the nectar category in juices. We are launching potato chips, biscuits, pasta and so on. We are testing standalone stores of fish and meat,” Vineet Kapila, president,Spencer's Retail, said.

Kapila said that the growth primarily depends on how much more space you have added and what is your same-store sales growth. While the latter is going up, the amount of sales has not gone up significantly; we have not added much, as we were addressing challenges before us. But we will add space now. In food and grocery, we are seeing same-store growth ranging from single digits to double digits. But we are struggling in discretionary verticals such as durables. There are challenges on margins, too — we are not getting the kind of margins we would want to have.

“We are focusing more on category margins, category assortments and so on to build top line and margins. We are building partnership, strengthening our private labels portfolio, choosing geographies carefully, building back-end in certain categories to improve our margins,” Kapila said.

He said, “We neither want be nor do we aspire to be the biggest retail player in the country. We want to be among top three in whichever market we enter in. Based on this criteria, we expand or vacate. We will open larger stores. Currently, we have an equal number of large and small stores. Going forward, it will be more skewed towards large stores, which will be 70-80per cent of our store count.”

“In the past 12-18 months, we had hard thinking on these, such as what cities to enter, size of stores to be opened, cost structures, including rentals, and so on and rectified these. We also built a strong technology platform to link all of this. Till the challenges were understood and corrected, there was no point in going ahead with expansion,” Kapila added.

Source: ImagesFood

Spencer’s Retail to launch private labels food products

4:12 AM Spencer’s Retail to launch private labels food products