Boba Bhai Enters Multi-Channel Model with RTD Canned Bubble Teas; Eyes 20% Sales from the New channels

Chinese Wok, India’s largest Chinese QSR chain, has launched its own take on the beloved street-food classic—Chowmein—bringing the bold, smoky, and spicy essence of Kolkata’s iconic noodles to a modern, hygienic quick-service format nationwide.

Inspired by Kolkata’s unique Indo-Chinese culinary heritage, the dish features wok-tossed noodles, crunchy veggies, and umami-rich sauces. Crafted for Gen Z and millennials, it delivers authentic street-style flavor with the consistency and quality of a QSR experience.

 “With the launch of Chowmein, we are bringing a piece of India’s culinary nostalgia into a format that’s accessible, hygienic, and scalable. Our goal was to recreate the familiar smoky, spicy experience that so many of us grew up loving and present it in a way that resonates with today’s young, fast-moving consumer. This launch represents everything Chinese Wok stands for: bold flavours, affordable indulgence, and modern convenience,” said Aayush Madhusudan Agrawal, Founder and Director, Lenexis Foodworks. 

The launch is backed by a vibrant digital-first campaign featuring teasers, influencer collaborations, and eye-catching visuals to drive discovery, trials, and social buzz. Tapping into the current cricket mania, Chinese Wok has introduced cricket-themed packaging and match-day offers—reinforcing its young, energetic, and culturally in-tune identity.

This rollout marks a key milestone in Chinese Wok’s expansion, as the brand scales rapidly across India while deepening its roots in regional culinary traditions. By bringing a beloved street-side favorite into the QSR space, Chinese Wok is strengthening its presence in East India and offering a nostalgic, flavor-rich experience to audiences nationwide.

Due to uncertainty brought on the unpredictable tariffs, McDonald's reported a surprising decline in first-quarter global comparable sales as demand from diners in the U.S. and Europe who were struggling financially plummeted.

The findings supported cautions from restaurant companies Domino's Pizza, Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG.N), and Starbucks (SBUX.O) that Americans were spending less on eating out as consumer confidence was eroded by inflation and a grim economic outlook.

The Trump administration's tariff vacillations have exacerbated financial strains and caused economic disruptions, raising the possibility of cost increases and supply chain disruptions. The world's largest fast-food chain is navigating the "toughest of market conditions", CEO Chris Kempczinski said as restaurant visits by lower- and middle-income customers fell in double-digit range from last year.

The U.S. economy is struggling, with latest data showing it contracted for the first time in three years in the first quarter, ramping up the chances of a recession in 2025. "Less affluent consumers are most vulnerable to the impact of inflation, and one of the first areas where they'll cut back is dining out," EMarketer analyst Sky Canaves said.

Early trading saw a 2% decline in McDonald's shares, which had gained almost 10% this year. Such its competitors, the company have increased its value menu offerings, such the $5 meal package, in an attempt to increase demand. McDonald's will continue to serve the $5 meal through 2025, according to executives.

Analysts had predicted a 0.95% increase in global comparable sales, but they actually decreased 1%. McDonald's saw a 3.6% decline in the United States, its largest market, which was more severe than the 0.5% analysts had predicted. It was the largest decline since the 2020 pandemic.
With a 3.5% increase over the previous year, its business segment—restaurants run by local partners—stands out, nevertheless, driven primarily by a rebound in sales in the Middle East and Japan. Following extensive informal boycotts of Western fast-food brands last year due to their alleged pro-Israel attitude in the Gaza conflict, a demand hit in the Middle East appeared to be abating.
 

With an emphasis on Townhouse by OYO-branded hotels, travel tech startup OYO is venturing into the food and beverage (F&B) industry by establishing in-house kitchens and Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) carts/lobby stores at its company-serviced hotels. OYO anticipates that, in a stable state, F&B will increase hotel income by 5% to 10%.

According to OYO, this program will provide in-house cooking services to guests at 1500 of their company-serviced hotels in FY26. Guests will be able to easily order meals from these kitchens by choosing the "Kitchen Services" option on online platforms such as OTAs and the OYO app.

OYO announced that in addition to in-house kitchens, it is also opening lobby stores and QSR carts under the "Townhouse Cafe" brand, which will serve ready-to-eat food options. According to Oyo, the menu will emphasize reasonably priced dishes that include both continental and regional cuisine. OYO started a trial program in January of this year to test the idea at 100 company-serviced hotels in a few cities, including Delhi, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, and Bangalore.

 “The successful implementation of this pilot has paved the way for the nationwide rollout in the upcoming fiscal year,” it said in the announcement. 
The company is expected to earn a profit after tax of approximately Rs 1,100 crore in FY26, according to an internal email sent earlier this year by Oyo Rooms' founder and group CEO, Ritesh Agarwal. EBITDA is probably going to be close to Rs 2,000 crore.

Varun Jain, Chief Operating Officer, OYO said "The initiative aims to enhance the in-hotel dining experience for guests by offering fresh, convenient, and quality meal options across its network. To support this, OYO is developing a network of trusted F&B experts in key cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Indore, Kolkata, Jaipur, and Lucknow".
 

In a strategic yet bold move, Aspect Hospitality unveils 25 new outlets of its Pan-Asian QSR brand, Nom Nom Express across Mumbai and Pune. 

Aksha Kamboj, Executive Chairperson of Aspect Global Ventures, Hitesh Keswani, Managing Director of Aspect Hospitality, Sandeep Singh, CEO of Aspect Hospitality and Executive Corporate Chef Rahul were present marking this innovative and high-impact milestone. During the launch, guests could scan an Augmented Reality (AR) booth to reveal a virtual city with pop-up Nom Nom stores. 

With 25 QSR kitchens, Nom Nom Express is prepared to surprise a new generation of foodies—one bite at a time—by delivering vibrant, flavorful Pan-Asian dishes throughout the cityscape. The Nom Nom Central Kitchen, which powers consistent and seamless supply across all sites, is the foundation of it all.

Commenting on the launch, Aksha Kamboj, Executive Chairperson, Aspect Global Ventures said, “We have always believed that great food brings people together, and we stand firm on this. Nom Nom Express isn’t just expanding; it’s becoming part of the everyday lives of people across Mumbai and Pune. Watching the brand grow from an idea to 25 outlets has been incredible, but the real excitement lies in how many more homes we’ll be reaching next.”

 “Nom Nom Express was founded with a clear vision: to offer bold, authentic Asian flavours delivered quickly, fresh, and at highly affordable prices. With our first 25 outlets, we are only just beginning. Our goal is to expand nationwide, ensuring that every person across the country can experience the high-quality taste of Asian cuisine at pocket-friendly prices. Whether in the comfort of their home or at one of our convenient takeaway locations, our customers can enjoy a delicious, fast meal in minutes. The overwhelming energy and support from our community have been truly inspiring, and this launch marks a significant milestone in our journey. But make no mistake—we are just getting started, and the best is yet to come,” said Hitesh Keswani, Managing Director, Aspect Hospitality.
 

 Indian multinational snacks and sweets company Haldiram Snacks Food (Haldirams) has reached a deal with Singapore-based worldwide investment firm Temasek to sell an equity position owned by current shareholders, as reported by PWC. While the release did not state the exact stake sold, that Haldirams has signed an agreement to sell a little fewer than 10 per cent valuing the company at $10 billion.

“This transaction Haldirams to continue its ambitious expansion plans both in India and internationally, solidifying its presence in an increasingly competitive market,” the release stated. Sources say the business will spend the money on growth; the promoters might not keep any of the profits. Haldirams is also in advanced-stage talks to sell another 5–6 per cent stake for around $500 million.

PwC’s investment banking team acted as the exclusive financial advisor to the transaction, while Khaitan & Co served as the legal advisor. The deal is expected to close shortly after receiving the required regulatory approvals.

On behalf of the Haldirams group, a spokesperson said in the release: “We are thrilled to welcome Temasek as an investor and partner in Haldirams. We look forward to working with them to harness the value they bring from their experience in the consumer space to accelerate our growth and strengthen our ability to meet evolving consumer demands. We also extend our gratitude to PwC and Khaitan & Co for their dedicated support during this transaction.”

Sanjeev Krishan, chairperson, PwC in India, said, “At PwC, we take pride in being catalysts of entrepreneurial success—helping businesses transform into global giants. Our decade-long collaboration with Haldirams exemplifies this commitment.”

Krishan added, “Over the years, we have advised them on various aspects of strategic planning and decision making. This transaction is not only the largest private equity consumer deal in India, but also a reflection of domestic businesses that continue to elevate India’s positioning on the global stage. We thank the Haldirams family for trusting us and giving us this opportunity.”

In India, K-Pop, K-Dramas, and K-Beauty have won millions of hearts; it's time for K-Food to do the same. WestlifeFoodworld, the company that owns and runs McDonald's India (West & South), is bringing the strong and alluring flavors of Korea to McDonald's India with a Limited-Time Korean Range of Burgers, Sides, and Drinks. This Limited-Time Offering (LTO), which draws inspiration from India's common passion for all things Korean, is the ideal way to savor a little piece of Hallyu, one mouthful at a time.

With prices starting at just ₹69, customers can now add some flair to their regular munchies with McDonald's brand-new Korean line. With their preferred menu choices, such as the Korean McAlooTikki Burger, Korean Chicken Surprise, Korean McSpicy Chicken, Korean McSpicy Paneer Burger, and Korean McEgg Burger, they can now "Make it Korean."WestlifeFoodworld, the company that owns and runs McDonald's India (West & South), is bringing the strong and alluring flavors of Korea to McDonald's India with a Limited-Time Korean Range of Burgers, Sides, and Drinks. This Limited-Time Offering (LTO), which draws inspiration from India's common passion for all things Korean, is the ideal way to savor a little piece of Hallyu, one mouthful at a time!

McDonald's India is using its new Korean Spice Mix to give even more flavor. Customers in South America may now enjoy a new Shake-Shake experience by turning their favorite fries, chicken McNuggets, and McSpicy Chicken Wings into a Korean-inspired delicacy. The business has also included the revitalizing Korean Yuzu-Pop in this new line. It completes the true Korean dining experience at McDonald's and wonderfully balances the fiery flavors. This line claims to add authentic Korean flavors to the McDonald's experience, regardless of whether patrons are casual foodies or die-hard followers of Korean culture.

Arvind RP, Chief Marketing Officer, McDonald's India (West & South), said, “Korean culture has been having asignificant impact on Indian consumers, from music and fashion to food. With our new Korean range, we are bringing that authentic experience to life through taste. At McDonald's India (W&S), we have always believed in bringing in new global experiences and hence be relevant to our customers' ever-evolvingtastes and preferences. We believe that the new Korean Range is a bold, flavourful way for fans to enjoy the best of Korea, right here at McDonald's India.”

This Limited-Time Offering is available at McDonald's outlets across West and South India. Guests can visit their nearest McDonald's or order on McDelivery to experience the Korean deliciousness.

Burger King India, one of the fastest-growing Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) chains in the nation, has reached 500+ locations nationwide. This accomplishment highlights the brand's quick growth, dedication to innovation, and unwavering focus on customer happiness. With big ambitions for the future, Burger King India is poised to grow and reach millions more people nationwide with its distinctive flavors, reasonable prices, and technologically advanced dining experiences.

Since its November 2014 launch, Burger King India has expanded to 119 cities, redefining the QSR scene by skillfully fusing local flavors with international standards. Modern technology innovations are used in the restaurants, where table ordering and self-ordering kiosks (SOK) help cut down on ordering times. 

By launching regionally inspired flavors like the Chicken Tandoori, Chicken Makhani, and Paneer Royale Burgers, Burger King India has continuously catered to Indian palates. Burger King has long espoused Value Leadership and a commitment to providing Indians with a delicious menu that suits their palates and budgets. The company has introduced some of the most affordable menu items in the market, with special offers on its app that further solidify its dedication to providing high-quality food at outstanding value. Deals start at ₹79 for two Crispy Veg Burgers and ₹99 for a 3-in-1 Crispy Veg meal that includes Burger, Fries, and Coke.

Burger King is dedicated to providing exceptional coffee experiences, as seen by the launch of BK Café in November 2021 and the company's present 450+ outlets nationwide. With its special in-house mix of 100% Arabica beans, which adds notes of citrus, caramel, and peanuts, the coffee has a well-balanced flavor that customers adore. Every cup of coffee at BK Café is a "Sip To Remember" thanks to the food pairings that go with it.

Rajeev Varman, Group CEO and Whole Time Director - Restaurant Brands Asia Limited, shared his thoughts on the milestone, "Crossing 500 restaurants are a defining moment in Burger King India’s journey. This achievement is a reflection of our commitment to accessibility, innovation, and guest satisfaction. As we continue our expansion, especially in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, our focus remains on delivering great value, India relevant innovations and tastes, and an elevated guest dining experience in our restaurants. Our growth is driven by deep consumer insights, cutting-edge technology, and an unwavering passion for quality service."

Burger King India continues to lead the way in tech-enabled dining, ensuring a seamless and engaging guest experience:
•    450+ restaurants now feature digital kiosks, reducing wait times by 50%.

•    Creative marketing initiatives, such as documenting live IPL events. Campaigns powered by AI, such as the Dhamakedaar Diwali campaign "BurgerKingSwaadKaPatakha," which produced highly customized interactions, and Ringing in the New Year's "Coffee Fortunes" campaign, which uses AI to let guests discover their fortune for 2025 through coffee foam patterns, combine traditional customs with contemporary technology to create an entertaining and captivating experience.

•    The Burger King app, with 1 million+ active users, offers exclusive offers and seamless ordering.

Burger King India’s strong franchise network and a guest-first approach have powered its rapid expansion, adding 60+ new restaurants in the past year alone. With recent openings in Raipur, Thrissur, and other emerging cities, the brand is accelerating its footprint beyond metropolitan areas, making world-class burgers more accessible than ever.

With the opening of its first international restaurant in Dubai, Haldiram's, the leading snacking brand in India, is all set to satisfy the cravings in United Arab Emirates. As demand for the brand grows internationally, it is extending its reach and bringing its rich Indian heritage to the global arena. The contemporary dine-in and quick-service restaurant (QSR) experience, which launched for Dubai customers on February 24, 2025, at Manazil Al Raffa, Bur Dubai, is renowned for its genuine Indian flavors and unmatched quality.

Haldirams is dedicated to providing the best culinary experiences and is aware of its consumers' needs. A specially curated menu with hand-picked Indian recipes, the new restaurant can accommodate 110 people. Its menu includes North and South Indian cuisine, chaat favorites like Raj Kachori, Indian snacks like Choley Bhature, and a variety of sweets like Motichoor Ladoo, Kesar Rasmalai, and Kaju Katli. For a more comfortable dining experience, the shop now offers Table Service to improve customer convenience.

Speaking on the launch of the all-new restaurant, Pankaj Agarwal, Director and Owner of Haldiram’s, said, “Dubai is a booming hub of culinary diversity, and we are elated to launch our first international outlet in this iconic destination. With a rich legacy of bringing authentic Indian flavours to people, we aim to be in a space where customers can expect Indian cuisine just the way they like it with unmatched hospitality. This is just the beginning of our expansion journey, and we look forward to bringing Haldiram’s to more international locations shortly.”

Kailash Agarwal, President - Retail & QSR, Haldiram’s, added, “We are excited to enter the Dubai market with our unique Restaurant that has a strategic blend of dine-in and quick-service restaurant formats to reach our audience in Dubai. Dubai is a melting pot of global cultures which is deeply seen through the diversity in food and is the perfect stage for us to showcase the richness of Indian cuisine to the global audience.”

Haldiram's status as a global ambassador of Indian cuisine has been cemented with the opening of this flagship overseas location, marking an important milestone. The brand is staying true to its core—FOOD—and delivering the flavors that customers love on a global scale with its UAE expansion, further redefining how Indian food is enjoyed around the world.

With an ambitious development strategy, BIGGUYS, the fastest-growing domestic chicken QSR chain in India, is making a revolutionary entry into the cloud kitchen market. By 2030, the company plans to open 150 cloud kitchens, further demonstrating its dedication to quick scalability and widespread availability.

BigGuys is expanding its cloud kitchen deployment in response to the growing demand for reasonably priced, premium chicken QSR options. By 2025, the company plans to have 50 cloud kitchens operational, which is estimated to bring in ₹24 crore. The company estimates that its network of 150 cloud kitchens would generate ₹72 crore in revenue by 2030.

“Cloud kitchens are the future of India’s QSR industry,” said Biraja Rout, Founder, BIGGUYS. “This model allows us to expand aggressively while keeping costs lean, ensuring that our signature flavors reach millions without the constraints of heavy real estate investments. We are not just following a trend - we are building the next wave of QSR growth in India.”

With the help of BIGGUYS' cloud kitchen strategy, the company hopes to expand rapidly without incurring the costs associated with traditional brick and mortar businesses by further entering Tier 1, Tier 2, and developing Tier 3 markets. A digital-first, asset-light strategy has put BIGGUYS in a strong position to take control of the rapidly changing Indian QSR market.

By providing premium products, easy accessibility, and an omnichannel strategy that serves both dine-in and delivery customers, the brand hopes to completely transform how Indians enjoy chicken QSR. This growth move is in line with that goal.
 

Jumboking which has their presence in 185 locations is currently the biggest domestic burger chain. The brand is set to enter 7 new cities and eyes for global expansion. Jumboking's strategy of expanding into fewer markets appears to be benefiting the company.

"Delhi will allow us to have up to 300 stores, but Mumbai is a market with at least 250."The Founder and MD, Dheeraj Gupta, confirms that part of our expansion ambitions is to grow a mile deep and an inch wide.

The company plans to build up its presence from five to twelve cities in 2025 as part of its national expansion strategy. In five cities—Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Pune—we are present. We have 700–800 stores in these five cities. In 2025, the brand will be adding 12-24 stores in each of these cities. 

 “We have invested significantly in recruiting the right team, ramping up our internal systems and processes and are now ready to foray into a total of 12 cities this year. In addition to where the brand is already present, we will expand to Chennai, Ahmedabad, Indore, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Lucknow and Kolkata,” said Dheeraj Gupta, MD of Jumboking. 

According to the company, it is preferable to reach the 1000 store milestone by having 12 locations rather than dispersing throughout 200 cities nationwide. In the QSR industry, supply chain and marketing economies of scale are crucial.  

In order to grow its franchise network, Jumboking is collaborating with local business owners to target transportation hubs with heavy foot traffic. The brand developed a new model with little seats that has a lot of potential in the second half of 2024 in addition to its pure takeaway models. 

Overall, on the expansion front, the brands focus remains:
•    Franchise success first
•    Doubling systemwide sales every 2-3 years over the next 5-6 years
 
The key contributors to revenue growth in 2025 are expected to be
•    New Store Openings: With 50 new stores planned for the calendar year, additional revenue streams from high-traffic locations will be significant.
•    Online Sales: The company is targeting a 30% increase in online orders, which currently contribute approximately 20% of its total revenue.
•    Enhancing Same-Store Sales Growth (SSSG): This will be to the tune of 7-10% growth by introducing menu innovations, leveraging technology to drive personalized customer experiences and conducting localized marketing campaigns to boost footfall.
•    Expanding to Dubai and Singapore metro systems towards Q4

 “We have been receiving queries for a while now, chiefly from Dubai and Asia,” confirms Dheeraj Gupta, Founder of Jumboking. “We have developed significant expertise in catering to the needs of metro travellers in India. We believe that we can add significant value to similar customers in Dubai and SE Asian markets as well.”

Jumboking launched its JK Burger Rewards reward program in 2023, and it currently boasts the highest redemption rate in the QSR sector. This enables the brand to get a head start in new areas. The user-friendly JK mobile app, which is being enhanced to enable users to track new deals and redeem rewards, serves as the operational foundation for the loyalty program. Furthermore, the foundation of the brand's service delivery is JK University, which was established during COVID. The company delivers advanced training modules on operations, marketing, and customer engagement, as well as data-driven insights to help franchisees enhance their companies. It serves as a service enabler for the franchisees. 

The largest Korean fusion food brand in India, Boba Bhai, has made progress by becoming the first Indian brand to introduce bubble tea to the quick commerce market with the launch of its packaged bubble tea on Blinkit. With this launch, users may now enjoy their favorite boba beverages in a matter of minutes, marking a huge milestone in broadening access to bubble tea.

Premium, regional ingredients are used to make Boba Bhai's packaged bubble tea. The brand has introduced signature flavors, including Mango with Passion Fruit Popping Boba and Nata de Coco, Wildberry with Cranberry Popping Bubbles and Nata de Coco, and Guava Chilli with Peach Popping Boba and Nata de Coco, each carefully curated to cater to a diverse range of taste preferences. With this launch, users may now enjoy their favorite boba beverages in a matter of minutes, marking a huge milestone in broadening access to bubble tea.

Commenting on the launch, Dhruv Kohli, Founder, Boba Bhai said, “Bubble tea has moved from being a niche offering to a mainstream favorite in India. By launching on quick commerce platforms, we are not only making bubble tea more accessible but also pioneering a new category within the quick commerce space. Our goal has always been to create a premium, Made-in-India bubble tea experience, and this launch is a testament to that vision.”

Quick commerce is predicted to account for 10% of Boba Bhai's total sales in comparison to traditional sales channels. After this successful launch, Boba Bhai plans to expand into Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, and Pune, with plans to roll out new flavors and limited-edition variants soon. 

Additionally, talks are underway to launch on other quick commerce platforms like Instamart and Zepto, further enhancing the brand's accessibility throughout India. In addition to the bubble tea launch, Boba Bhai has unveiled its exclusive line of ice creams, which come in distinctive flavours.
 

Burger King's franchisee in India reported a larger third-quarter deficit due to rising expenses and customers cutting back on eating out due to inflation. For the three months that concluded on December 31, the company reported a net loss of 504 million rupees ($5.82 million), down from a loss of 361.8 million rupees the previous year. 

Burger King outlets in India saw a 0.5% decline in same-store sales, which the restaurant operator attributed to "flat demand."

Over the past several quarters, international fast-food companies like McDonald's and Burger King have increased their efforts to offer less expensive options in an effort to draw in India's price-conscious clientele in the face of high inflation.

Burger King provided some of the most affordable offers in the nation's market, such as a package of two vegetarian and two chicken burgers for Rs 79 and Rs 99, respectively. The company's income increased by 5.8% to 6.39 billion rupees as a result of this and the launch of more outlets. Although, the brand’s total store count in India remained at 510, up 69 outlets from last year and 46 outlets from the preceding quarter.

High ingredient costs, however, also had an impact on the business, raising overall costs by 8.5% to 7.03 billion rupees. In the midst of suppressed consumer sentiment, pizza giant Papa John's International and cafe chain Tata Starbucks have stated that they are reconsidering their future plans for Indian markets.

Subway®, the world leader in freshly cooked, customizable sandwiches, launched 100 fresh outlets in India in the year 2024. This is a noteworthy accomplishment given the QSR chain's explosive development trajectory. Subway has been proactively broadening its reach and reinventing customer experiences in various geographical areas.

With ambitions to become the biggest Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) chain in India within the next ten years, the country has become one of Subway's fastest-growing international markets. To accommodate changing customer tastes, the brand has unveiled new menu items and a modernized store design.

 “Reaching this milestone of 100 new stores in a year is a testament to our customers’ trust in the Subway brand. This marks a significant chapter in Subway India’s growth journey, reflecting our unwavering commitment to delivering fresh, high-quality, and made to order sandwiches to our discerning customers. We opened our 100th store in the bustling location of Lokhandwala, Mumbai. Now the Subway network stands tall at 900+ stores pan India with a presence in more than 160 cities,” said Tarun Bhasin, CEO of Culinary Brands.

Subway's unwavering commitment on innovation and thorough comprehension of changing customer preferences are the main drivers of its growth. Hot & Cheesy Signature Subs and a varied Breakfast Range are two new items that Subway unveiled this year in an effort to meet the varied needs of its patrons.

In order to make every customer experience memorable and fulfilling, Subway keeps up its core values of quality, innovation, and outstanding customer service with each new location. 

The Wendy's Company has announced the appointment of John Min as the Company's Chief Legal Officer and Secretary and Mary Greenlee as Senior Vice President, U.S. Operations. 

These appointments represent the continued evolution of the Company's leadership structure to drive accountability and accelerate growth. Min will report to President and Chief Executive Officer, Kirk Tanner, and Greenlee will report to President, U.S., Abigail Pringle. Min succeeds E.J. Wunsch, who was appointed as Wendy's President, International in June 2024.

"I'm pleased to welcome John and Mary to the Wendy's team. John's proven track record of managing complex commercial transactions, his extensive background in legal strategy and corporate governance and his unique global experience will be invaluable as we look to further solidify our development plans. Mary brings significant experience managing franchise relationships, generating significant market expansion and driving innovation from her career in the QSR industry, which align perfectly with our growth pillars,” shared Tanner.

Min most recently served as Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Kellanova following the separation of Kellogg Company into two companies. He brings two decades of corporate legal experience and a wealth of expertise in leading high-performing teams, providing strategic legal counsel and managing compliance risks in diverse markets. Min will oversee Wendy's global legal department, playing a pivotal role in guiding Wendy's legal strategy and operations, as well as managing global risk and compliance functions. 

Greenlee has over 25 years of experience in the restaurant and beverage industries, bringing a deep understanding of franchise systems and strategic thinking to elevate performance. Greenlee will oversee the performance of Wendy's company and franchise operations to support the brand's strategic growth initiatives, including continuing to drive the restaurant economic model and building out the Company's U.S. footprint to ensure it reaches its full growth potential. Greenlee has held significant operational roles over her career, most recently serving as Vice President of U.S. Field Operations at Subway and Director of Business Development and General Manager of Coca-Cola Freestyle Strategy for Wendy's. Greenlee holds a B.A. in History from the University of Louisiana Monroe.

"This is an exciting opportunity to join an iconic brand," said Min. "I am honored to join such a talented team and contribute my experience to uphold and enhance Wendy's high standards of legal and ethical practices to support the Company's continued growth on a global scale."

"Wendy's has consistently set a standard for quality and creativity in the QSR industry, and I've long admired the brand's commitment to value and innovation," said Greenlee. "I look forward to working closely with the team to drive strategic growth, enhance operations and continue delivering an exceptional customer experience."

RI EXCLUSIVE: Bagelstein, a beloved French brand, known for its authentic bagels and vibrant, quirky atmosphere has entered India.

The group has partnered with International franchisee firm FranGlobal to enter and expand its operation in India.

“We have joined hands with Bagelstein as a master franchisee for its India operations. The brand has a great market in Europe, especially in France and is a very scalable concept as a brand,” shared Venus Barak, CEO, FranGlobal.

The group is planning to open over 100 stores in the first five years, targeting major metros including, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata and Pune to start with.

“India is such a big, important country that we didn’t wanted to do it bad that’s why we took time to enter India,” shared Thierry Veil, Founder & CEO, Bagelstein who is looking for aspirational people as partner willing to scale this business.

“The demand and awareness for good quality bakery products, coffee and cafes are on the rise in these cities and hence our focus is on metros,” added Barak by pointing that Bagelstein is not just a breakfast brand rather is an-all day café that has got a major part of its business coming from the lunch.

Based in Strasbourg, France, Bagelstein was founded in 2011 and is known for its freshly baked bagels with a variety of delicious fillings, it has become a favorite spot for bagel enthusiasts across France and is one of the biggest bagel chain outside US with 100+outlets in Europe, majority of which are in France. 

Known around the world for its big, bold flavors, parent company of Carl's Jr.® CKE Restaurants Inc. and partner RSMG Holding LLC are celebrating the opening of the first Florida restaurant in Doral (5755 NW 87th Ave). In celebration of this moment, the restaurant will host a grand opening ceremony on March 12 from 6-7 p.m. ET. 

"Carl's Jr. and our guests are all about innovative, audacious flavors and live-out-loud, authentic moments, and we can't wait to be part of the energy and community in South Florida," said Vice President of Brand Marketing for Carl's Jr. Anthony Nguyen. "Thank you to our partners at RSMG – together, we made it happen, and we look forward to many more opportunities in the future." 

Carl's crave-worthy menu items include over-the-top, juicy charbroiled burgers, hand-breaded chicken tenders, hand-scooped shakes and indulgent breakfast burgers. Together with its franchisees, Carl's Jr. operates more than 1,000 restaurants across the U.S. and has a presence in 25 countries worldwide. 

"RSMG is looking to position Carl's Jr. as a market leader in South Florida," said Ron Santolaya, CEO and partner of RSMG. "We look forward to utilizing our values and creating a long-lasting relationship with the Doral and South Florida community that can continue to grow, and hopefully expand both domestically and internationally, over the upcoming years." 

The location was first announced in July 2023 and was followed by pre-opening celebrations, including dining events for local emergency responders.  

Santolaya, who has more than 40 years of experience in the industry, is no stranger to the Carl's Jr. brand. For 10 years, he served in corporate international operations based in Anaheim, CA, before holding executive leadership positions with Mexico and Chile-based international franchise groups. Now he has his own franchise group with partners Claudio Fernandez and Milko Grbic – who both serve as managing director and partner.  

Focused on a culture of respect, collaboration and teamwork, RSMG will employ more than 40 restaurant team members plus management at the 2,500 sq. ft., 42-seat Doral restaurant. 

Hong’s Kitchen, the beloved Indo- Chinese QSR known for its delectable fusion of Indian and Chinese flavours, has opened its 25th store at the prestigious Dilli 6 Omaxe Chowk, nestled in the heart of Chandni Chowk.

The launch of the new store marks a significant milestone for Hong’s Kitchen as it expands its footprint to one of Delhi's most iconic and historically rich locales. 

"We are thrilled to bring Hong’s Kitchen to the bustling neighbourhood of Chandni Chowk. As we open our store in Omaxe Chowk, Chandni Chowk, we are excited to introduce our unique blend of Indian and Chinese flavours in a location as iconic as Chandni Chowk which many consider the heart of the city, a buzzing and diverse community of food enthusiasts in this historic area,” shared Avinash Kant Kumar, President, Jubilant FoodWorks Limited.

In celebration of the opening of its 25th store at Omaxe Chowk, Chandni Chowk, Hong's Kitchen is delighted to present a menu that blends traditional favourites with innovative fusion dishes, including the Hot Pockets and the Fiery Orange Chicken. The restaurant proudly offers a broad selection of culinary delights, among which the Molten Cheese Spring Rolls, Hong Kong Wraps, Momos, and the signature Chicken Wing along stand out, alongside decadent desserts like the Choco Bao. 

Dedicated to providing fresh, clean, and delectable Chinese cuisine, Hong's Kitchen continues to elevate the dining experience with its commitment to quality, flavour, and customer service.
 

Wow! Momo Foods Pvt Ltd is planning to launch about 40 Wow! China outlets across India. Home-grown QSR brand will be opening Wow! China outlets across Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore within the new fiscal.

Recently, Wow! Momo Restaurant bagged $23 million from Tiger Global at a valuation of $120 million. The brand seems well set to enter Chinese cuisine and replicate its success story with momo in case of what it positions as “re-imagined Chindian cuisine”.

Wow! Momo was co-founded by Sagar Daryani and Binod Homagai in 2008. The brand currently sells as many as 5 lakh momos per day from 281 Wow! Momo outlets across 15 cities in the country. Of these 281 outlets, 280 are company-owned while one is a franchise.

The Kolkata-headquartered food start-up is also eyeing to cross the Rs 200 crore mark this fiscal. It notched up a revenue of Rs 120 crore in FY19.

Want to invest in a momo franchise? Visit Franchise India 2019, Asia’s Biggest Franchise & Retail Show, and give wings to your entrepreneurial dreams.

Rolls Mania, one of the leading brands in the QSR segment in India, has debuted chocolate loaded fries to its new menu.

The brand is now serving french fries generously coated with hot chocolate sauce and topped with M&Ms. This sweet and salty combination makes for a great side or dessert.

The chocolate fries are launched in conjunction with mouth-watering chilli garlic jalapeno fries, butter chicken roll, cheesy BBQ roll, chilly garlic punjabi nachos and salsa nachos with cheese. 

Striking the right balance between the goodness and wellness of homemade food packed in the form of succulent Kathi Rolls, Rolls mania got clicking the right taste buds of Puneites, igniting the need for more across the city. With a healthy and pocket-friendly array of veg and non-veg on-the-go rolls, it was time Rolls Mania engaged with an expanded audience through expansion across diversified taste scenarios.

After establishing 6 successful outlets, the company found the franchise model the most viable method to take the brand to newer and untapped markets across domestic boundaries, maintaining consistency and uniformity in terms of quality across all outlets.

Rolls Mania is an entirely self-funded company, spread across 30+ metro, two and three-tier cities, with over 102 outlets and 90% of the owners being women while selling more than 12,000 rolls every single day.

Vatika Group, a leading Real estate and Hospitality player, has sold its Indian street food startup ‘Nukkadwala’ to a Delhi-based high networth individual for an undisclosed amount. The move is in line with the company’s plans to focus on core businesses.

Vatika group sold 14 operational outlets and nine in the pipeline of the QSR brand.

Nukkadwala was created to fill in a huge vacuum to bring street foods of India to each and every corner of the country with authenticity, hygiene, and tastes. The brand’s first outlet was launched in 2015 along with cloud kitchen in Gurgaon.

Gaurav Bhalla, MD, Vatika Hospitality business, said, "The group needs much larger time and focus on managing and growing its real estate and hospitality business. It was felt that hiving off Nukkadwala makes a lot of sense at current times, where it is very well received as a brand and is all set for exponential growth, while we focus on our core businesses."

The food start-up did a business of about Rs 9 crore during the last financial year.

Kolkata-based Tea Junction is looking to venture out of West Bengal by launching at least 20 stores outside the state.

Parthiv Neotia, Director of the Ambuja Neotia group, which owns Tea Junction, said, “We plan to open 50 new outlets this fiscal. Of these, 10-15 will be in Delhi, 10-15 in Kolkata and the rest in Chhattisgarh and Odisha. We shall invest around Rs 10 crore for the expansion.”

At present, the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) brand has 49 stores in operation, with around units 45 in Kolkata. The company aims to open 80-100 stores across India after the first phase of expansion outside Bengal.

In order to fuel a pan-India growth, Tea Junction is planning to raise external capital in the next financial year.

“We first want to consolidate our position as the dominant players in the northern and eastern states, including those in the northeast. The current expansion is aimed at that objective,” Neotia stated.

“The first store outside Bengal will be opened in Delhi in July. This will be our 50th store and will be different from the existing ones. The theme will be based on ‘Calcutta’ and the British era,” he added.

Charcoal Eats, a full-stack quick service restaurant (QSR) brand, has opened its new outlet in Bengaluru at HSR Layout. Spread over 500 sq ft, the 30 seater dine-in restaurant is managed by Miam Foods, the franchise partner.

With this new launch, Charcoal Eats now has 34 outlets across 12 Indian cities. The brand is planning to have 75 outlets across the country by March 2019.

Anurag Mehrotra, Co-Founder and CEO of Charcoal Eats, said, "Food is the common language that can unite people of different locations and generations. The fact that we have been warmly welcomed in all parts of the country, from Gurugram to Chennai, and Gandhinagar to Jamshedpur, gives us confidence that people of Bengaluru too will love our wide range of modern Indian flavours. The Silicon Valley of India is home to a multitude of young people from across the country looking for good food experiences and hence a key market for us."

"We have served over half a million customers in the last 2 years with a high level of customer satisfaction and repeats. We are excited to be in Bengaluru, starting with HSR Layout, and look forward to serving the entire city very soon," he further stated.

Mohit Kumar, Partner, Miam Foods, added, "We are excited to partner with Charcoal Eats. The key factor for us is their focus on food quality and customer delight and the fact that they were able to consistently deliver these across cities. We are confident of delighting consumers in Bengaluru with our delicious offerings and the overall Charcoal Eats experience."