Lite Bite inks agreement with Burger King for outlets in airports

Lite Bite Foods Ltd, promoted by Dabur scion and entrepreneur Rohit Aggarwal, has inked an agreement with Florida-based QSR chain Burger King Inc to set up the latter’s stores in airports and other travel retail platforms.

The company said it is also exploring to take the partnership to high street location.

Burger King entered India in 2013 through a joint venture with PE firm Everstone Capital. The PE firm had signed a long-term master franchise and development deal that includes sub-franchise rights in India.

Rohit Aggarwal, Director, Lite Bite Foods, said, “We have entered into an independent agreement with the Burger King Inc directly to set up outlets in airports. We plan to have three outlets to begin with”.

As part of the agreement, Lite Bite Foods will soon be launching the first franchise outlet of Burger King at the Mumbai airport. This will be Burger King's first outlet at an airport in the country.

Aggarwal said that the three outlets will entail an investment of ₹8-9 crore with stores ranging from 1,200-1,500 sq feet.

Asked if the company is also looking to set up stores in high streets, Aggarwal said the company is evaluating the possibility. “We may look at it but will have to do that in conjunction with Everstone who is the master franchise for Burger King in India,” he added.

Burger King opens 20th outlet in India

American fast-food chain Burger King on Tuesday rolled out its 20th outlet in India with the opening of a restaurant in west Delhi's Rajouri Garden. 

The chain known for its Whopper burgers entered India in November last year through a franchisee agreement with private equity fund Everstone Capital and the company has so far opened outlets in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru and Chandigarh. 

"This is the ninth outlet in the NCR (National Capital Region) including the one in Gurgaon," said Jaspal Singh Sabharwal, partner with Everstone, which holds a 25-year master franchisee agreement with Burger King. 

In India, the chain is competing with McDonald's, Johnny Rockets, Dunkin Donuts and a number of other American burger chains. 

Burger King to open 12 outlets in India over three months

American fast food chain Burger King will open 12 outlets in India over the next two-three months, six each in Delhi and Mumbai. According to people familiar with the burger chain’s plans, the brand will roll out its first outlet in the capital in less than a month at a prominent mall in South Delhi, followed by the rest in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Mumbai. With an investment of up to Rs.2-2.5 crore per outlet, Burger King is eyeing other potential locations like Pune, Chennai and Bangalore. To be sure, Burger King is launching in Asia’s third largest economy where a spurt in disposable incomes has led to a rise in out-of-home food consumption, pushing chains such as Domino’s, McDonald’s and KFC to expand. Burger King has spent the last six to eight months working on its menu that will result in some India-specific modifications in dressings for Indian consumers. The company will start with its vegetarian and chicken burgers, and subsequently add lamb burgers to its menu.