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. 

World's 3rd largest hamburger chain Wendy's set to enter India

The Wendy's Company (TWC), the world's third largest quick-service hamburger company, is set to enter the $50 billion Indian quick service restaurants market. The Nasdaq listed restaurant chain operator under the Wendy's brand has entered into an agreement with Sierra Nevada Restaurants Pvt Ltd (SNRPL) to develop and operate restaurants across India.

Specific details about the nature of this agreement with TWC for India foray and time frame for getting the Wendy's outlets operations in India were not been disclosed.

The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) listed Rollatainers, one of India's leading consumer packaging, restaurant and food services companies, owns 50% stake in SNRPL with the balance being held by International Market Management Ltd (IMM).

A wholly owned subsidiary of Rollatainers, Carnation Hospitality Pvt Ltd had recently (August 11, 2014) acquired India's second largest coffe chain (with international presence) the Barista Coffee Company Ltd from Lavazza.

A recent entrant in the food business Rollatainers, through its subsidiary Carnation, had instituted a joint venture in July this year with IMM for setting up Jamie's Italian restaurant franchise in India. Carnation had also entered into business purchase agreements with Welgrow Hotel Concepts Pvt Ltd, which owns and operates Sartoria and Kylin and with Mapple Hospitality Pvt Ltd, which owns and operates Mapple Foods.

Operating for over three decades in the consumer packaging industry and in particular, as a supplier to the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, Rollatainers's clientele includes fast moving consumer goods companies like Amul, Britannia, Conagra Foods, Ferrero India, Lotte, Nestle, Pepsico, Perfetti Van Melle, Sahara Q Shop, Tata Global Beverages and Unilever.

It's entry into the food business, company officials had stated earlier, is a natural extension for Rollatainers into the attractive consumer food segment and also leverages its existing experience of working with international brands.

Operating over 6,500 franchise and company outlets in the United States and 29 countries globally, TWC was recently in the news when US's second largest QSR operator Burger King (with a market capitalisation of $11.5 billion) acquired Canadian doughnut-and-coffee chain Tim Hortons, which was spun-off by Wendy's back in 2005.