Restaurant India News: Carlsberg Eyes India IPO, May Raise Up to $700 Million

Danish brewer Carlsberg A/S is reportedly preparing to file draft papers for an initial public offering (IPO) of its India business as early as this month. According to sources familiar with the development, the proposed listing could raise up to $700 million. Carlsberg has appointed Kotak Mahindra Capital, JP Morgan, and Citigroup as advisers for the potential share sale. The IPO is expected to be a secondary sale of shares by the parent company and could take place later this year. However, discussions are still ongoing, and the size, structure, and timing of the offering may change.

While Carlsberg has not confirmed the IPO plans, the company stated that it is exploring various options to enhance shareholder value, including a possible public listing, though no final decision has been taken.

Global alcoholic beverage companies are increasingly looking at India as a growth market due to rising consumer demand. French spirits giant Pernod Ricard is also exploring a potential listing of its Indian business.

Carlsberg India, established in 2007, is the country's second-largest brewer with a market share of around 22 percent. The company operates 14 breweries across India, including eight owned facilities and six contract manufacturing units. Its closest listed competitor, United Breweries, currently has a market value of about $3.6 billion. The company's shares have fallen around 36 percent over the past year, compared to an 8 percent decline in the Nifty 50 index.