18 Mar 2025

Rebel Foods is set to invest between INR 100 crore and INR 150 crore to expand American fast-food giant Wendy's presence in India. The plan aims to establish 500 outlets by 2028, aligning with Wendy's global strategy to add 1,000 new restaurants. With an emphasis on cloud kitchens, Rebel Foods intends to leverage its extensive delivery network, while also introducing offline stores. The company's recent funding and operational milestones are part of a broader strategy to enhance profitability and prepare for an IPO within two years.Read more

14 Mar 2025

Singapore's sovereign investment firm, Temasek, has finalised a deal to acquire nearly a 10% stake in Haldiram's snacks division for approximately USD 1 billion. The acquisition comes after months of negotiations, with Temasek viewing Haldiram as a key asset in India's expanding consumer sector. The deal highlights growing global interest in India's food and beverage industry, especially the savoury snacks segment. While Blackstone had also bid for a 20% stake, its lower valuation resulted in Temasek securing the agreement. Industry experts suggest that Haldiram's promoters are considering an IPO in the coming year to leverage the country's robust stock market. The restructuring of Haldiram Snacks Foods Private Ltd (HSFPL) has further consolidated its market position, making it a highly attractive investment.Read more

13 Mar 2025

BWH Hotels, which operates brands like Best Western and SureStay, plans to expand its India presence by adding 21 new hotels over the next two years. Global CEO Larry Cuculic emphasized a strategic shift toward newly constructed properties to enhance brand reputation and guest experience. Currently, BWH manages 32 hotels across India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, generating INR 250 crore in revenue. The company has agreements for 54 new hotels and aims to reach 100 properties in 5-7 years. This expansion positions BWH Hotels as a key player in India's hospitality sector, ensuring steady growth in the coming years.Read more

10 Mar 2025

The Jammu and Kashmir government is enhancing pilgrim tourism by developing dedicated circuits in Jammu to encourage Mata Vaishno Devi visitors to explore other regional attractions. Three-day, four-day, and seven-day tourism packages will be introduced, along with infrastructure upgrades under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme and State Capex Budget. Key projects include musical fountains, a ropeway, an amusement park, and heritage site preservation. Inspired by Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and Tamil Nadu's pilgrimage circuits, Jammu aims to boost its economy, improve transport, and modernize its tourism sector while preserving cultural heritage through Smart City initiatives.Read more

05 Mar 2025

The HVS Anarock HOPE 2025 conference in Goa showcased India's booming hospitality sector, led by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, which has doubled its footprint in seven years, now with 70 hotels and 50+ projects in the pipeline. India's infrastructure growth is fueling hotel expansion beyond metros, with 74% of 2024's 47,500 new rooms signed in tier-II, III, and IV cities. Niche tourism segments like faith, wellness, and adventure travel are driving demand. With strong market trends, India's hospitality sector is poised for rapid expansion.Read more

05 Mar 2025

Adani Group has unveiled plans to diversify its airport business and boost the retail business at airports. It also plans to open retail stores at highways and malls in a phased manner. The conglomerate aims to expand its current retail network from approximately 50 stores to nearly 310 by next year. The group seeks to enhance non-aeronautical revenue, targeting three-fourths of total earnings for Adani Airport Holdings. With an annual passenger base exceeding 270 million, Adani intends to capitalise on various consumer segments. The expansion will place Adani Group in direct competition with FMCG giants such as Tata Group's ITC, Reliance, Dabur, and Hindustan Unilever.Read more

04 Mar 2025

IndiGo is accelerating its European expansion by leasing at least three more Boeing 787-9 wide-body planes from Norse Atlantic Airways, aiming for summer flight launches. This follows the induction of one leased 787-9, currently operating the Delhi-Bangkok route as a pilot for wide-body operations. Complementing its future Airbus orders, IndiGo is using damp leases to rapidly expand its international footprint. With a dominant domestic market share, IndiGo is capitalizing on rising international travel demand, challenging Air India's European monopoly. This move signals IndiGo's strategic shift to long-haul, global operations.Read more

28 Feb 2025

The Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has introduced its first regulations for rooftop bars and restaurants to enhance public safety, urban compliance, and environmental responsibility. The draft mandates fire-proof materials, bans rooftop cooking, and requires structural safety certification to prevent hazards. Noise restrictions aim to minimise disturbances, while waste management rules ensure cleanliness. Licensing, annual inspections, and approval fees enforce compliance. Establishments must also follow Jharkhand Building Byelaws and secure necessary NOCs. These regulations balance business operations with public safety and city planning. Public feedback is open until March 27 before the final rules are implemented.Read more

26 Feb 2025

Nexus Select Mall Management, as the trustee manager of Nexus Select Trust, has sanctioned the purchase of MBD Neopolis Mall in Ludhiana from AKM Enterprises at an enterprise value of INR 4,900 million. The deal was done through Select Infrastructure, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) of the trust. The asset covers a leasable area of about 255,666 sq ft and houses the Radisson Blu Hotel MBD on Ferozpur Road. Ludhiana's retail rental space is competitively priced, with prices usually falling in the range of INR 50 to INR 110 per sq ft per month, while ground floor inline spaces are fetching premiums between INR 160 and INR 280 per sq ft per month across categories. The acquisition is in line with Nexus Select Trust's strategic growth in India's increasing organised retail market.Read more

26 Feb 2025

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) sealed the Taj Banjara Hotel in Banjara Hills over INR 1.43 crore in unpaid property taxes. The hotel, non-operational for two years, made an immediate partial payment of INR 52 lakh, reducing the outstanding amount to INR 91 lakh, which is expected to be cleared by March 10. GHMC has been tightening tax enforcement, surpassing last year's collection by INR 42 crore, with INR 827 crore collected for 2024-25. The action against Taj Banjara underscores the city's strict stance on tax defaulters, impacting commercial properties facing financial or legal challenges.Read more