SOCH TO OPEN 25 FRANCHISE OUTLETS IN 2016

Ethnic women wear brand Soch sees 2016 year optimistically as it hopes to set up 35 to 40 more outlets next year in India. Of these total stores, 20-25 will be opened through the franchise mode.

“We intend to open 35-40 stores by the end of 2016. Our plan is to grow in Central, West and South India followed by opening Soch outlets in North and East of India. At present, our total number of franchise outlets stands at 15. We intend to open 20-25 more stores via the franchise route by 2016,” Vinay Chatlani, MD & CEO, Soch, Said.

The brand currently has 62 stores across India at key locations including Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli, Chennai, Coimbatore, Cochin, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Kolhapur, Vijayawada, Lucknow, Indore, Bhopal, Belgaum, Visakhapatnam, Gulbarga, Kanpur, Salem, Dharwad, Tumkur and Calicut.

Soch, which came into being in February 2005 with its first store, offers fashionable range of designer wear for women at an affordable price. The brand has redefined the traditional Indian outfit for women of all ages and has a wide range of stylish and elegant designer ethnic wear like sarees, salwar kameez, kurtis and bottoms for fairer sex.

McDonald’s opens two outlets in Mangalore

Hardcastle Restaurants Private Limited (HRPL), a Master Franchisee for West & South India operations of McDonald’s restaurants and a subsidiary of the BSE listed Westlife Development Limited entered Mangalore with the opening of two restaurants in quick succession. These launches add to the established network of 74 restaurants across Southern India.

McDonald’s Forum Fiza Mall sprawls over 3500 sq. ft while the restaurant at City Centre Mall can seat up to 134 guests within the restaurant and 32 guests outdoors.

Ranjith Paliath, Vice President, Business Operations, McDonald's India (West & South) said, “We are proud to open two McDonald's restaurants in Mangalore. We ensure that customers who come to McDonald’s get quality fresh food at great prices. Our menu has been created using flavourful spices that appeal to Indian tastes.  The restaurants will each have a team of 50 employees to manage operations in the initial phase. Further, McDonald’s also aims to generate employment and provide international training to local residents, creating opportunities for first time job seekers while also adding to the strength of 2,500 individuals that they have directly employed across business operations in South India.”

McDonald’s operates through various formats and brand extensions including standalone restaurants, drive-thru’s, 24/7, McDelivery, Web and Mobile ordering, Breakfasts and dessert Kiosks. The menu features burgers, finger foods, wraps, hot and cold beverages besides a wide range of desserts. Several of the McDonald’s restaurants feature the in-house McCafé.