Restaurant India News: The Hazelnut Factory Crosses Rs 100 Crore Revenue in 7 Years

The Hazelnut Factory has crossed the Rs 100 crore revenue mark within seven years of operations, indicating strong market traction for premium, hybrid dining formats.

Founded in 2019 by Ankit Sahni, the brand was built on the idea of repositioning traditional Indian mithai within a contemporary café environment. Starting in Lucknow, the concept combined artisanal sweets with specialty coffee, creating a format that diverges from conventional sweet retail models.

The company has focused on product development, ingredient quality, and presentation to reposition mithai for modern consumption. By aligning traditional offerings with café-style service and design, it has created a differentiated positioning within the premium segment.

From a single outlet, the brand has scaled to 18 outlets across 10 cities, supported by a workforce of over 1,000 employees. It reported 85 percent growth in FY 2025–26, driven by consistent same-store performance and increasing consumer demand for experience-led formats.

As part of its next growth phase, the company plans to open 12-15 new outlets in the coming financial year and is targeting 70 percent revenue growth. Investments are being directed towards supply chain integration, backend operations, production capacity, and talent to support expansion.

Ankit Sahni, Founder & CEO, The Hazelnut Factory, said, “The ₹100 crore milestone is a strong validation of our differentiated approach to building a premium, homegrown F&B brand. Our focus has always been on creating a scalable business model anchored in quality, consistency, and experience. As we expand into new markets, we remain committed to strengthening our operational backbone while delivering a best-in-class consumer experience.”

The growth of The Hazelnut Factory reflects a broader shift in consumer preferences, with increasing demand for premium formats that combine traditional products with modern retail experiences. The model highlights how legacy categories such as mithai can be repositioned within organised, scalable formats.

Badal Sahni, Co-Founder, The Hazelnut Factory, said, “Crossing ₹100 crore is a significant milestone, but more importantly, it validates our belief that Indian mithai can be reimagined for the modern consumer without losing its authenticity. As we scale, our focus remains on building a robust, future-ready organisation while continuing to innovate across product and experience.”

With a defined expansion roadmap and continued focus on operational scale and product differentiation, the brand is positioning itself to strengthen its presence in the premium café and mithai segment.