Devyani International Eyes Biryani Market with Major Acquisition Move

Restaurant Buisness
Devyani International Eyes Biryani Market with Major Acquisition Move
BY - Rishabh Sharma
Correspondent, IndianRetailer.com & Retailer Media Apr 23, 2025/ IndianRetailer
170
/ 4 MIN READ.
Devyani International Eyes Biryani Market with Major Acquisition Move

In a move that signals deeper penetration into India’s fast-growing biryani and kebab delivery market, Devyani International Ltd (DIL), the franchisee behind quick service restaurant (QSR) chains like KFC, Pizza Hut, and Costa Coffee, has announced plans to acquire a majority stake in Sky Gate Hospitality—operator of the homegrown restaurant chain 'Biryani by Kilo'.

According to a regulatory filing, the acquisition will give DIL control over Sky Gate’s existing portfolio, including 'Biryani by Kilo' and several other smaller brands and cloud kitchen formats. The acquisition price and number of shares involved have not been disclosed yet.

"We wish to inform you that a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company is scheduled on Thursday, April 24, 2025 inter-alia, to consider and approve the definitive agreements and issuance of equity shares of the company on a preferential basis to discharge the consideration payable for acquisition of controlling equity stake in Sky Gate Hospitality Private Limited, operating restaurants under the brand 'Biryani by Kilo' and other brands."

Established in 2015,' Biryani by Kilo' currently operates over 70 dine-in outlets across multiple cities in India. The brand is known for its delivery-focused model and product consistency in the biryani and kebab segment.

DIL, promoted by the Jaipuria family, continues to scale its presence in the QSR space and holds a strong franchise portfolio. It is the largest franchisee in India for Yum Brands, the global parent of KFC and Pizza Hut. The company is also the exclusive India franchisee for Costa Coffee, a brand owned by Coca-Cola. Additionally, it owns and operates Vaango, its proprietary South Indian vegetarian food brand.

As of December 31, 2024, DIL’s footprint includes over 900 KFC outlets and more than 580 Pizza Hut stores spread across India, Nepal, and Nigeria. Costa Coffee operates with over 190 cafes in India under DIL’s management, alongside more than 70 Vaango locations.

This acquisition reflects DIL’s continued strategy to diversify and deepen its offerings in the organized food service sector, particularly within high-growth, delivery-oriented categories like biryani.

 
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Appointment
Chefs Nooresha Kably and Brehadeesh Kumar Appointed as Goodwill Ambassadors for Japanese Cuisine
BY - Rishabh Sharma
Correspondent, IndianRetailer.com & Retailer Media / 3 MIN READ
Chefs Nooresha Kably and Brehadeesh Kumar Appointed as Goodwill Ambassadors for Japanese Cuisine
 

Chef Nooresha Kably and Chef Brehadeesh Kumar have been recognized as Goodwill Ambassadors for the Promotion of Japanese Cuisine by the Government of Japan. This recognition, announced by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF), marks the first time that India-based chefs have been awarded this title.

The initiative aims to promote and preserve Japanese cuisine on a global scale. As part of the role, Chef Kably will offer expertise and guidance to Japanese cuisine professionals overseas, strengthening culinary and cultural ties between Japan and India. The appointment was commemorated at a ceremony at the residence of the Japanese Ambassador in New Delhi on February 24, 2025.

Chef Nooresha Kably has played a significant role in introducing Japanese cuisine to India. She transitioned into the culinary industry at 45, starting with small-scale Japanese catering before launching Sushi Koi. Seeking authenticity, she trained in Japan to specialize in Sushi, Washoku, and Ramen. In 2018, she founded Izumi, which has expanded to Mumbai and Goa.

With no formal culinary background, Chef Kably built a team of over 100, training them in the intricacies of Japanese cuisine. Her expertise in Japanese ingredients, culture, and techniques has helped shape India’s Japanese dining landscape.

As a Goodwill Ambassador, she will continue to advocate for authentic Japanese cuisine, strengthen ties between Indian and Japanese culinary professionals, and contribute to the growth of Japanese gastronomy in India’s hospitality industry.

 
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Food and Beverage
Ohri's Eatmor launches new menu this winter
BY - Nusra
Deputy Features Editor / 2 MIN READ
Ohri's Eatmor launches new menu this winter
 

From being one of the oldest ice-cream parlors to serving the biggest buffet in and around Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Eatmor has added more dishes to their already interesting menu so that the customers never run out of options to select from.

The long-standing favorites are still in the menu and to top. The popular favorites have now joined nacho with salsa, spicy garlic bread, supreme cheese sandwiches, chilli garlic mushroom, peri peri chicken wings, peri peri chicken sandwich, sriracha mix meat pizza, Hyderabad kheema mutter and many more.

“We are so happy to announce the additional dishes to the menu as it give our customers not to stick with the same dishes every time. We assure you that we continue to ensure the highest standards of safety and hygiene for a memorable experience for each of our patrons,” shared Amar Ohri Executive Director of the Ohri’s Group.

The new Eatmor menu is served throughout the day and can be enjoyed at their outlets as well as home delivery.

 
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Expansion
Gauri Khan designs new restaurant in Pune
BY - Franchise India Team
Editor / 1 MIN READ
Gauri Khan designs new restaurant in Pune
 

Gauri Khan, celebrity interior designer and wife of Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, who got a good response for her work on Mumbai-based Arth restaurant, has designed its new outlet in Pune.

Gauri on Thursday took to her Twitter account and shared a few pictures of the newly designed restaurant.

Along with the photos, she wrote: "Upholstery, art, wall paper, chandeliers, drapes cushions and accessories, they all add a new dimension to any space. Arth. Come experience the dining and lounge at Pune."

From Karan Johar to Ranbir Kapoor and Varun Dhawan, Gauri has designed the interiors of many Bollywood celebrities' houses. She has recently designed Jacqueline Fernandez's house.

 
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Expansion
Eatigo plans expansion in APAC region, gets backing from TripAdvisor
BY - Franchise India Team
Editor / 2 MIN READ
Eatigo plans expansion in APAC region, gets backing from TripAdvisor
 

Leading restaurant reservation platform in Southeast Asia Eatigo has received a follow-on investment from its existing investor TripAdvisor, bringing its total raise across all its investors to over USD 25 mn. TripAdvisor’s restaurants business unit and subsidiary, TheFork will help expand Eatigo’s presence and services across the Asia Pacific region.

Having entered Hong Kong, Philippines, Malaysia and India in 2017, Eatigo will use the funds to launch in several more markets and extend its product offering.

"Eatigo is excited to continue its strong relationship and collaboration with TripAdvisor. These new funds will be integral in allowing Eatigo to consolidate and extend the reach of our leadership and expertise in helping customers reserve the perfect table,” said Michael Cluzel, Eatigo’s CEO and Co-founder.

“As we look to further our presence in the Asia Pacific region, we believe our latest strategic investment in Eatigo will continue to support a great business and strong management team,” said Bertrand Jelensperger, Senior VP, TripAdvisor Restaurants and Founder of TheFork. “TripAdvisor’s continued partnership with Eatigo will help us both better serve millions of diners and restaurant owners who are increasingly turning to online channels,” he added.

 
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Invest in restaurant business
Fusion Food Bags strategic investment from UDS
BY - Franchise India Team
Editor / 2 MIN READ
Fusion Food Bags strategic investment from UDS
 

Chennai based industrial catering company Fusion Foods and Catering has raise strategic investment from update service private limited (UDS). Fusion Foods counts several IT and industrial houses among its clients and delivers over 35,000 meals and 55,000 beverages daily.

For Update Service Private Limited, a facilities management player, this transaction marks its foray into the industrial catering space. Transaction Involved UDS providing an exit to angel investors and also funding future growth.

V P Rajan, associate director, Veda Corporate Advisors, said, "Fusion Foods is one of the leading home grown industrial caterers in South India and has built a strong reputation in the highly competitive food services space. Fusion Foods and UDS will cross leverage on their respective strengths to provide an integrated FMS & catering solution to their clientele across South and West India."

 
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Marketing
Pizza Hut celebrates India's win at Rio
BY - Franchise India Team
Editor / 2 MIN READ
Pizza Hut celebrates India's win at Rio
 

Pizza Hut, one of the leading pizza chains is celebrating the success of PV Sindhu, who has won the Silver medal for India for Women’s Singles (Badminton), at the Rio Olympics 2016.

The shuttler’s namesakes, i.e, consumers who are also named Sindhu can walk into any Pizza Hut outlet and walk-out with a free Pan Pizza today (Saturday, August 20, 2016).

“We are proud of our sportswomen, and want to celebrate with our consumers. This initiative is a small token of our appreciation for the Indian Olympians who have gained medals at Rio, and have done India proud.” said Unnat Varma, Managing Director Pizza Hut Indian Subcontinent.

Pizza Hut had put up a similar offer on Thursday to celebrate wrestler Sakshi Malik’s superb win in Women’s wrestling and on Friday to wish Sindhu good luck for the then upcoming match against Spain’s Carolina Marin.

The initiative has received an overwhelming response with hundreds of women named ‘Sakshi’ and ‘Sindhu’ in India walking away proudly with a free pizza.

 
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