Bikaji Foods acquires a 53% stake in Hazelnut Factory for Rs 131 crore, entering the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) market to enhance competition.
Bikaji Foods International Ltd, a leader in the ethnic snacks segment, has made a significant move by acquiring a 53.02% stake in Hazelnut Factory Food Products Private Ltd for Rs 131 crore. This acquisition marks Bikaji’s entry into the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) space, further diversifying its product offerings beyond traditional snacks. The deal, carried out through Bikaji’s subsidiary, Bikaji Foods Retail Ltd, is expected to be completed over the next two years, expanding Bikaji’s presence in the café and artisanal sweets market.
The Hazelnut Factory, a Lucknow-based chain of cafes and artisanal sweets, operates six retail stores in Lucknow, along with outlets in Kanpur and Delhi. Known for its specialty coffees, bakery products, and premium sweets, Hazelnut Factory provides Bikaji with a solid foundation to compete in the fast-growing QSR sector. This strategic acquisition comes at a time when the demand for homegrown and international QSR brands is rapidly increasing in India, with global chains like Pret a Manger, Tim Hortons, and Ladurée making their own forays into the Indian market.
By entering the QSR segment, Bikaji Foods is leveraging Hazelnut Factory’s established retail network and premium product offerings to expand into new markets. The acquisition also aligns with Bikaji’s ‘House of Brands’ strategy, which aims to utilize shared resources, cross-sell products, and create synergies across its portfolio. Deepak Agarwal, Managing Director of Bikaji Foods, highlighted the significance of the acquisition, describing it as a major step towards expanding beyond traditional snacks into the premium retail QSR, artisanal sweets, and bakery segments.
The Indian QSR market is booming, driven by changing consumer preferences and the demand for fast, quality food options. Bikaji’s acquisition of Hazelnut Factory positions the company to compete more effectively in this space, while also creating opportunities for cross-selling its popular ethnic snack products in new retail environments. The deal will be completed in tranches over two years, after which Hazelnut Factory will become a fully integrated entity within the Bikaji Foods group.
As Bikaji Foods continues to innovate and expand, this acquisition showcases its commitment to diversifying its offerings and staying competitive in the ever-evolving food industry. With the addition of Hazelnut Factory’s café and artisanal sweet products, Bikaji is well-positioned to capture a larger share of the growing QSR market in India.
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Keywords :- Bikaji Foods, Hazelnut Factory, QSR market, café chain acquisition, artisanal sweets, premium bakery products, Indian QSR market