Restaurant India News: Naturals Introduces Pina Colada Ice Cream: A Subtle Escape to the Tropics

Call Me Chunky is the newest ice cream brand launches in Mumbai, Pune & Bengaluru. It redefines indulgence with bold, playful flavours. Blending creamy premium bases with chunky swirls and textures, it transforms every scoop into an unforgettable adventure delivering joy and comfort in every bite.

With playful phrases like “Chunk Up the Classics” and “If Dreams Had a Shape, They’d Be Chunky,” Call Me Chunky is making a name for itself in the premium ice cream category. Its bold packaging and fun tone of voice make it instantly recognisable to consumers looking for both high-quality indulgence and quirky fun.

"At Call Me Chunky, we believe that ice cream should do more than just melt; it should crackle, crunch, and charm. With every scoop, we’re inviting our customers to dive into a flavour-filled journey that’s as cheeky, surprising, and fun as our mascot, the Chunky rabbit. Whether it's for a casual movie night, a celebration with friends, or a little self-care after a tough day, we’re here to add a burst of flavour to life’s moments," says Ashish Tendulkar, Chief Operating Officer at Call Me Chunky.

Call Me Chunky has a quirky rabbit mascot—a playful magician that embodies the brand’s spirit of indulgent mischief. Just like the mascot, every scoop is crafted to surprise, with bold flavours, rich textures, and a leap into the unexpected.

The brand makes its debut with six indulgent flavours: Berry Cheesy Dream – a creamy cheesecake-strawberry blend, Cookie Caramel Charms – a sweet-salty cookie crunch with caramel, Pop-Pop Caramel – chocolate-coated almonds, caramel, and popcorn for a cinematic treat, Raspy Choco White – tart raspberries swirled with sweet white chocolate, Fudgy Rocky Road – chocolate loaded with marshmallows and nuts, Choco Brownie Spells – decadent brownie chunks in rich chocolate.

Available in three sizes—110 ml cups (₹150), 330 ml pints (₹400), and 660 ml tubs (₹660)—Call Me Chunky is now in Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru via Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto, Instamart, and Blinkit, as well as premium outlets like Nature’s Basket, Foodsquare, Freshpick, Star Bazaar, and Spar.

Carvel, the original soft serve ice cream and one of America’s most popular dessert brands, is set to debut in New Delhi. With a legacy spanning over 90 years, Carvel's arrival marks a pivotal moment in the progression of India's dessert culture. Founded in 1934 by Tom Carvel, Carvel is celebrated as the originator of soft serves—smooth, creamy ice cream loved by all generations. With its playful ice cream cakes and nostalgic flavours, Carvel has become a beloved household name across the U.S. Carvel’s entry into the Indian market is being spearheaded by Unify Foodworks, the exclusive master franchisee for the brand in the region.

Backed by a bold vision, Unify plans to launch 100 Carvel outlets across major cities in the coming years. This move reflects strong confidence in the Indian consumer’s evolving palate—one that craves authentic, affordable, and emotionally resonant food experiences.

India’s dessert scene is transforming rapidly. Consumers are embracing global flavours and formats, while still holding on to the warmth of familiar indulgence. Carvel’s signature menu—including its iconic Flying Saucers, soft serves in flavours like vanilla, chocolate, hazelnut, pistachio, and coffee, and whimsical ice cream cakes—strikes a perfect balance between nostalgia and novelty.

Sumer Sethi, Founder of Unify Foodworks, stated, "Carvel has always stood for joy, celebration and togetherness, all values that transcend borders and resonate across generations. We believe that everyone, regardless of age or background, deserves to indulge in moments of delight. As we enter the Indian market, our aim is to create warm, welcoming spaces where families, students and professionals alike can pause, connect and savour something special. 

“While Carvel’s nine-decade legacy lends its heritage and trust, it is the brand’s simplicity and heart that make it universally loved. We are excited to bring this experience to India and become a part of everyday celebrations across the country,” added Sethi.

The first store in New Delhi will serve as an introduction to Carvel’s world of desserts, designed to deliver comfort and charm through both product and experience. 

“India is a promising new market for Carvel. We see strong alignment between Carvel’s legacy of quality and flavor, and the evolving tastes of Indian consumers" said Steven Yang, Senior Vice President, APAC at GoTo Foods International. "Our work with Unify Foodworks gives us the local insight and operational strength needed to grow with intention and impact."

With this expansion, Carvel aims to make indulgent desserts an everyday delight—accessible, comforting, and full of character.

Scuzo Ice 'O' Magic, India's Fastest-Growing Live-Popsicle and Gelato Brand has opened its second outlet—in Patna, Bihar. The brand is excited to reintroduce its unique dessert experience to the city at its new location on the ground floor of Nasib Market, Ramnagri More, Ashiyana.

Scuzo Ice 'O' Magic isn’t your typical dessert shop — here, customers can create their own popsicles using real fruits, frozen live before their eyes through a distinctive, interactive process. It’s a refreshing and visually engaging experience centered on freshness, customization, and transparency. But the popsicles are just the start. 

The new Patna outlet features a vibrant, premium menu that includes handcrafted gelatos, crispy waffle cones, indulgent milkshakes, and sundaes — all made from 100% real fruit and high-quality ingredients, with no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. 

Gagan Anand, Founder, Scuzo Ice 'O' Magic said, "Opening another store in Patna is a milestone for us. Our vision has always been to revolutionize the dessert industry in India—from the conventional, sugar-drenched to something enjoyable, healthier, and interactive. This store is proof of that vision being fulfilled in yet another energetic city."

While, their Franchisee Partner Mohsin Raza Khan added, "We are excited to bring Scuzo to the heart of Bihar. It's not just about desserts—it's about spreading delight. From the freshness of our ingredients to the excitement of live freezing, every aspect of the experience is crafted to impress our customers.”

With the launch of this store, Scuzo Ice 'O' Magic continues to break new ground in India's dessert market. As it expands from city to city, the brand continues to adhere to its fundamental philosophy: serving hand-made desserts that are as innovative as they are wholesome.

Hocco, one of India's largest and fastest-growing premium ice cream brands, today announced it has secured $10 million in funding as part of a larger $20 million Series B investment round. Sauce VC, a top consumer-focused venture capital company, and the Chona Family Office, famed for their extensive knowledge in the Indian food sector, co-lead the financing. 

This significant capital infusion will primarily be allocated toward increasing Hocco's production capacity and supporting the brand's ambitious expansion into new markets across India, further solidifying its position as a dominant force in the country's premium ice cream sector. 

Founded by the Chona family, Hocco has rapidly disrupted the Indian ice cream industry, not only through quality-first innovation but also through a distinct brand language that resonates with new-age consumers. 

“Hocco’s unparalleled scale up journey in less than 2 years reflects the deep expertise and goodwill the Chona family enjoys in the ice cream space. As the market is witnessing strong growth in India driven by improving disposal incomes and easier access through new age channels such as quick commerce, we are privileged to partner this world class team on their next leg of growth”, said Manu Chandra, Founder, Sauce VC, known for identifying and nurturing category-defining consumer brands.

The infusion of fresh capital, will enable Hocco to:
● Substantially increase production capacity to meet growing consumer demand
● Accelerate geographic expansion into new markets across India
● Strengthen distribution networks and supply chain infrastructure
● Continue product innovation and development of new flavor profiles
● Enhance brand marketing initiatives to reach a wider audience

Ankit Chona, Promoter, Hocco Ice Creams, said “This fundraise is not just about expanding capacity—it’s about believing in the power of a homegrown brand to stand tall among the world’s best, At Hocco, we’ve poured our hearts into every scoop, and this fresh capital gives us the strength to dream bigger, reach farther, and serve many more with the joy of truly great ice cream. We’re grateful for the trust placed in us and excited for what lies ahead.”

Changing consumer preferences, rising disposable incomes, and increased demand for high-quality dessert choices have fueled India's luxury ice cream market's strong rise in recent years. Hocco has distinguished itself in this competitive landscape through its commitment to using premium ingredients, creating distinctive flavor profiles, and delivering consistent product excellence.

With this, Hocco is poised to solidify its position as the next-generation dairy and dessert powerhouse, carrying forward a cherished legacy while redefining the category for a younger, quality-conscious India. 

NOTO Ice Creams & Desserts is turning up the indulgence dial with the launch of its first-ever scoop shop in Bandra ‘Meltshop by NOTO’, a whimsical dessert destination built to serve big scoop energy.

Renowned for redefining healthy indulgence on q-commerce and food delivery platforms, NOTO now steps into the offline world with Meltshop—a bold new chapter in the brand’s journey. 

The store is a visual and sensory delight, bright, bold, and bursting with personality. From vibrant hues to playful touches, the store is a living expression of the NOTO brand—immersive, fun, and full of flavour. Guests can explore six imaginative single-serve sundaes, 15 artisanal scoop flavors with inventive toppings, and one iconic softy—all crafted to push the boundaries of what dessert can be.

Don’t miss signature creations like Trip to Thailand, a tropical treat of mango swirl ice cream, sticky rice, and popping boba pearls, or the Coffee Biscoff, with a hidden layer of cocoa that adds a delightful surprise. Each one promises flavour and fun in every bite. Also on offer are trending favourites like Matcha Raspberry, Pistachio, and a selection of fruit-forward options. Alongside these fresh scoops, customers can shop from NOTO’s popular packaged ice cream range, offering a healthier indulgence they already know and love.

Speaking of the new launch, Varun Sheth, Co-founder, NOTO Ice Creams & Desserts, says, “With Meltshop by NOTO, we didn’t just want to create a place to eat ice cream, but we wanted to build a joyful escape. A space where our community can enjoy both the healthy and indulgent sides of NOTO in their most fun and feel-good form. We see you—bad day, good day, or just a boring old Monday, we’re here with the scoop. It’s a joy to see the NOTOverse grow to make every kind of dessert-er happy!”
 

The Brooklyn Creamery, India’s favourite better-for-you ice cream brand, is beating the heat with its newest innovation: 100% Natural Fruit Juice Popsicles, will be launching on 10th May on Swiggy and Zomato.

Four tropical flavors—Blueberry Lemonade, Strawberry Split, Melon Magic, and Mango Mania—are available in the range, and each pop costs just Rs 125. The Brooklyn Creamery's Chief Innovation Officer, Vasco Valença de Sousa, created the popsicles. He contributes originality and global experience to the brand's product development.

These cool, low-calorie popsicles are made with just four basic ingredients: water, agave, natural fiber, and genuine fruit. Their natural agave sweetness and lack of refined sugar, preservatives, artificial flavors, and colors make them a healthy and easy way to enjoy frozen delights that are entirely natural this summer. Having a strong fruity flavor and being naturally dairy-free, they are ideal for anyone seeking a simple, light treat.

“At The Brooklyn Creamery, we’re always pushing boundaries and introducing first-to-market products for Indian consumers,” said Shivaan Ghai, CEO of The Brooklyn Creamery. 

She added, “From India’s first low-calorie chocobar to low-calorie mini cones and dairy-free ice cream sandwiches, innovation is at the heart of what we do. These 100% natural, low-calorie popsicles continue that journey — letting you enjoy a fruity, guilt-free indulgence made only with natural ingredients.”

With this launch, The Brooklyn Creamery reinforces its commitment to creating better-for-your frozen treats that don’t compromise on flavour or fun.

As a milestone for the company's growth story, Scuzo Ice 'O' Magic, India's rapidly growing gelato and live-popsicle business has opened its three new outlets in Lucknow. The opening in these new locations allows Scuzo to further share its vision of the ideal fusion of enjoyment and wellness, revolutionizing the frozen dessert industry with its ground-breaking live popsicles and hand-scooped delicacies.

These outlets are positioned at Ashiyana (Sector K), Gol Market in Mahanagar and Lulu Mall Food Court, making the brand accessible to dessert enthusiasts all over the city. My Scuzo International Pvt. Ltd. opened these outlets in partnership with Mohsin Raza Khan, Franchise Unit Partner.

With the ability to create their own popsicle in only a few minutes using fresh fruits of their choosing, guests at Scuzo Ice 'O' Magic have a unique experience. The menu offers a variety of delicious delicacies in addition to popsicles, including homemade gelatos, light and crisp waffles, fluffy pancakes, rich dessert cakes, creamy milkshakes, and delicious sundaes. Its promise of healthy enjoyment is upheld by the fact that all of its products are created entirely of real fruits and premium ingredients devoid of preservatives and chemicals.

"Lucknow has given us a warm welcome, and we are looking forward to introducing our signature products to these three new outlets. Our commitment to quality and innovation continues unabated as we continue to serve the city's dessert enthusiasts," said Gagan Anand, Founder, Scuzo Ice 'O' Magic.

Scuzo Ice 'O' Magic maintains its commitment to the environment by including eco-friendly elements into its product line, which includes inventive rice straw candies with flavors. Scuzo is committed to creating goods that are both aesthetically pleasing and contribute to a better world.

"We look forward to opening new stores in Lucknow and eagerly await bringing a unique dessert experience to more people. Our endeavor is to bring innovative flavors, creativity, and happiness to all our customers walking into our stores," said Mohsin Raza Khan, Franchise Unit Partner, Scuzo Ice 'O' Magic. 

Leading guilt-free ice cream company, 'NOTO Ice Cream' has raised ₹15 crore in its most recent funding round, which was led by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV) and included Lets Venture and JITO. The money will go toward growing into Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities, introducing novel summertime flavors and formats, assisting with marketing on quick-commerce and food-tech aggregators, improving infrastructure, and increasing brand recognition through experiences.

NOTO Ice Cream was established in 2019 and has since upended the ice cream market by providing decadent, healthful ice cream options without sacrificing flavor. It is a popular option for people who are health-conscious due to its creative flavors and formats as well as its emphasis on better substitutes like low-calorie, low-sugar ice creams. "Eating, Not Cheating” is the brand’s motto.

Renowned individuals like Kunal Bahl, Rannvijay Singha, and John Abraham also support the brand because they share NOTO's goal of enabling guilt-free pleasure for everyone.

Varun Sheth, a chef and seasoned businessman with a wealth of hotel industry experience, and Ashni Shah, a fashion and design lover with a background in marketing and operations, co-founded NOTO.

Vinay Bansal, Co-Founder, Inflection Point Ventures, says, “Health-conscious consumers often struggle between satisfying their sweet cravings and adhering to a healthier lifestyle. The existing options often compromise on taste or nutritional value, creating a gap in the market for truly guilt-free indulgence. NOTO ice-cream is solving this problem with its unique flavours that don't compromise on either taste or nutritional values. At IPV, we are drawn to the startup’s commitment to address a real consumer need. Their vision to redefine desserts aligns with lots of Indians, making it a scalable startup with meaningful impact.”

By 2032, the Indian ice cream market is expected to have grown from its 2023 valuation of ₹228.6 billion to ₹956 billion. Higher disposable incomes and the growing use of rapid commerce platforms are driving the market's transition toward premium, healthful, and inventive ice cream products, which is expected to see substantial development. NOTO is actively entering new markets in Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Lucknow in addition to operating in several cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Pune. In addition to rapid commerce sites like Zepto, Blinkit, Instamart, and Flipkart, the brand is listed on meal delivery services like Swiggy and Zomato.

Commenting on the same, Varun Sheth, Co-Founder & CEO, NOTO notes, “At NOTO, Eating, Not Cheating is at the heart of everything we do - we serve desserts that are guilt-free and full of flavor. This funding fuels our expansion into Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities, paves the way for more NOTO-riously good innovations. As we continue to redefine the ice cream experience, we’re excited to scale new heights. We appreciate IPV’s support in this journey.”

Ice Cream Works, a well-known brand in the artisanal ice cream industry, has introduced an intriguing new range of flavors. Three different ranges—Classic, Premium, and Luxury are included to accommodate a range of palates to enhance the indulgent experience.

Classic flavors like Strawberry Chocolate Chip and Banana bring classic favorites to life, bringing back fond memories while providing the rich, creamy textures for which Ice Cream Works is renowned.

With flavors including World Class Strawberry, Real Guava, Oreo Cookies and Cream, Biscoff Caramel, Cookie Dough Chocolate Chip, Belgian Chocolate, and Nutella Chocolate Brownie, all of which are designed to provide rich and indulgent flavor experiences, the Premium line adopts a sophisticated approach. With Crispy Coffee, Sea Salt Caramel Fudge, Three Berries, Dark as Sin Chocolate, and Hazelnut Almond Brittle, the Luxury line redefines luxury while demonstrating the brand's commitment to crafting unforgettable moments with each scoop.

Commenting on this, Alisha Shah Chona, Founder and CEO said, “Our new range of flavors represents the essence of Ice Cream Works—exceptional quality and a passion for creating unforgettable experiences. Each flavor is designed to bring joy and foster connections, making every moment special.”

NOTO, a brand known for transforming dessert experiences has introduced the Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich.

This delightful confection combines elegance with a rich array of flavors, offering a dessert that's health-conscious.

NOTO has established a reputation for crafting delectable treats that invite guilt-free indulgence.

According to Ashni Shah, Co-founder of NOTO, the Macaron Ice Cream Sandwiches perfectly embody the flawless balance between luxury and excellence. As they introduce this delightful creation, they are excited to continue their dedication to guilt-free enjoyment while maintaining an uncompromising focus on flavor.

Their extensive range comprises of gelatos, ice creams, mini delights, and popsicles, reflects their commitment to reshaping the concept of indulgence.

Each box contains four flavours, each a testament to the marriage of exquisite taste and guilt-free indulgence.

From Dark Chocolate to Coffee flavours as the aroma meets the creamy swirls of ice cream in a macaron symphony. Chocolate Hazelnut is a symphony of rich flavours whereas  Mango Cheesecake comprises of flavours within a crunchy macaron shell. 

The introduction of the Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich underscores NOTO's continued mission to redefine guilt-free enjoyment.

Baskin-Robbins® is celebrating Valentine’s Day in a different manner. The iconic ice cream brand is introducing a captivating new Flavor of the Month, Secret Admirer™, a rose-based ice cream.

It is also bringing back its fan-favorite, Box of Chocolates Cake.

“The launch of Secret Admirer™ builds on our history of high-quality flavor innovation, offering unique elements like real rose extract that our guests may have never experienced before alongside familiar flavors,” said Jeanne Bolger, Director of Research & Development for Baskin-Robbins.

Baskin-Robbins is also excited to bring back a February favorite, the Box of Chocolates Cake.

Inspired by the classic, heart-shaped candy boxes we all know and love, this indulgent cake offers an elevated twist customizable with your favorite ice cream and cake flavor and topped with a rich layer of fudge and milk chocolate candies – made to look like a real box of chocolates.

Available in two sizes, small or large heart, this festive cake can be ordered online, through the Baskin-Robbins mobile app or by visiting or calling your local Baskin-Robbins restaurant.

Dairy Day, a leading ice cream brand in South India, has unveiled Chilli Guava stick. The new product brings the authentic flavour of guava in a delicious sorbet, containing the fruit pulp, chilli and salt.

Chilli Guava’s 60ml stick is priced at Rs 20. It is available at more than 30,000 outlets across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

MN Jaganath, Director, Dairy Day, said, “The ice cream industry is one of the most innovative verticals in the food sector. We constantly strive to offer our customers the best in terms of quality and flavours.”

“Chilli Guava adds to our range of mouth-watering combinations unique to India, such as Paan Twist, Gajar Halwa and Gulab Jamun among others. Ice cream aficionados can look forward to more innovative fresh new flavours from Dairy Day,” he added.

Recently, Dairy Day entered into Maharashtra. The brand is available across 2,000 outlets in Maharashtra, including Pune, Kolhapur, Beed, Satara and several other cities and towns across the state.

Dairy Day is manufacturing and supplying over 150 products in more than 30 flavours in a variety of cups, cones, sticks, tubs and other novelties.

Kwality Ltd, a reputed dairy firm recently signed an agreement with Bank of Baroda for providing Rs 4,000 crore loans to the former's one lakh farmers from whom the company procures milk.

In a filing to BSE, Kwality said, “it has signed an MoU with Bank of Baroda to disburse Rs 4,000 crore of loan to its one lakh farmers in initial phase out of its established network".

The company has a network of about 3.25 lakh across about 4,500 villages in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan which are amongst the largest milk producing states of India.

Kwality Ltd would attend to the remaining farmers in successive phases over a period of time.

The dairy brand emphasised that the funds would be available at preferential rate and shall be utilised primarily towards purchasing of milching animals, smartphone and two wheelers. The scheme is aimed at providing financial assistance to improve socio-economic lives of farmers and guide them towards digitisation.

Regarding the event, Nawal Sharma, company's President and Head Business Transformation said, "This is a win-win situation for all the three stakeholders which are farmers, bank and company. This will help in increasing our direct sourcing of milk from farmers and faster rolling out of high-margin value added products thereby improving the profitability."

As per Nawal, Bank of Baroda would get a readily available customer base for the priority sector lending and would also get operational support from the company in identification of farmers and payment management system.

Nawal said, "Farmers will get financial assistance at attractive terms with which they can create additional infrastructure leading to higher income. This will also promote digitisation among farmers.”

He also said that farmers would get loans up to Rs 4 lakh at less than 9 per cent interest rates. Furthermore, he said, "It would allow us to develop a robust engine to increase our procurement directly from farmers who currently contribute 22 per cent of our total milk handling capacity of 3.4 mn litres/day, pinpointing that the company is targeting to increase direct procurement to over 50 per cent over the next 3-4 years.

Kwality plans to roll out 10-12 variants of high margin value-added products such as flavoured milk, paneer, cheese, UHT, cream in tetra packs, table-butter, yoghurts, amongst others over next 12-18 months.