US ice cream brand Cold Stone Creamery set to enter India

The US  ice cream brand Cold Stone Creamery is set to open its first outlet in India at Kochi’s Lulu Mall .

The company’s Indian launch follows a partnership collaboration between its subsidiary Kahala Franchising LLC and Tablez Food Company for opening Cold Stone Creamery outlets in India and Sri Lanka.

“We are here as part of our international journey to explore new markets. From Kochi, we’ll soon move to Bengaluru with four-five shops and later to other parts of India,” said Audrey De Haven, Director of International Operations of Kahala Brands.

Audrey, who was here in connection with the opening of the Kochi outlet, said the brand’s overseas expansion began in November 2005 from Tokyo. Today, it has presence in over 1,400 locations across 27 countries, including the US, with the annual sales exceeding $650 million.

The Kochi outlet will offer over 18 signature creations made out of fresh ingredients with candy, cakes, fruits or nuts. Ice creams are made afresh daily at the store and the recipe is handcrafted. Later, it is customized by combining a variety of mix-ins on a frozen granite stone, she said.

“The rise in demand for branded products prompted the entry of many international ice cream brands to India, despite a lower per capita consumption,” Audrey said. In India, ice cream is still considered as an after-food desert while in the US, it could be a meal in itself.

The ice cream market in India is still at a nascent stage with only 300 ml annual per capita consumption against 22,000 ml in the US and 3,000 ml in China.

Shafeena Yussuff Ali, Chairperson of Tablez Food Company, was of the view that ice cream lovers around the globe admire Cold Stone Creamery as an innovator and appreciate its exceptional style of customer service, especially for crafting the freshest quality ice cream products.

Manhattan Fish Market opens outlet in Chennai, sets sight on another 10 cities

After popularising chicken, quick service restaurant chains are now looking at healthier seafood. Some of the international seafood chains also are entering the Indian market.

International specialty casual dining restaurant chain Manhattan Fish Market has launched its first outlet in the country in Chennai.

Jumbo Seafoods Pvt Ltd, the master franchisee of the Malaysian restaurant brand, plans to take the brand to at least another 10 cities in the country through sub-franchising.

The 140-seat restaurant will serve predominantly seafood, said M Shafraz Anees, Managing Director of Jumbo Seafoods. “However, as we go forward, we will gradually step up our vegetarian offerings to at least 20-25 per cent.” There was a big gap in the market which offers good quality seafood either at a very high price or very cheap and not-so-hygienic restaurants, “And hence we positioned our restaurant at the right place where it offers good food at affordable price points,” he said. A three-course meal will cost ₹650 here, he added. It serves fish in flamed, poached, grilled, fried and baked forms in American-styled cuisine.

The brand name (Manhattan) is the influence of the famous Fulton Fish Market in Manhattan, and the restaurant has 60 outlets in Asia and the Middle East.

The Indian master franchisee also owns the franchise rights for Sri Lanka and Maldives. “We have two restaurants in Sri Lanka, and are in the process of expanding there as well,” Anees said.