Barista Coffee Leadership Brews Customer Connections in Delhi

Barista Coffee Leadership Brews Customer Connections in Delhi

By Nishang Narayan

Published on December 29, 2024

Barista Coffee, one of India’s most iconic homegrown coffee chains, took a unique approach to customer engagement with its leadership team stepping into store operations. At the vibrant Basant Lok Barista Café in Vasant Vihar, New Delhi, the CEO, Rajat Agrawal, and his senior management team donned aprons and served customers, brewed coffee, and interacted with patrons in a heartfelt gesture that strengthened bonds between the brand and its loyal clientele.

The initiative showcased Barista Coffee’s leadership team leading by example, with the aim of connecting directly with customers and gaining a deeper understanding of store-level operations. "This initiative was a fantastic opportunity for our leadership team to connect with the heart of our business – our customers and our store operations," said Rajat Agrawal, CEO of Barista Coffee. "By stepping into the shoes of our baristas, we not only gain valuable insights to improve our offerings but also celebrate the hard work of our store teams who are the backbone of Barista’s success."

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The event, held at the bustling Basant Lok Café, was well-received by customers who appreciated the opportunity to engage with Barista’s leadership team. The café’s lively ambiance added a touch of energy to the day, making it a memorable experience for everyone involved.

This initiative reaffirms Barista Coffee’s commitment to providing a top-tier coffee experience while maintaining strong connections with its customers. By stepping into the day-to-day operations, the leadership demonstrated their dedication to understanding the nuances of customer service and improving operations at every level.

About Barista Coffee:

Founded in 2000, Barista Coffee Company Limited set out to deliver a truly international coffee experience to Indian customers. With a warm and welcoming ambiance, Barista has become one of the leading espresso bar and café chains in India, offering a blend of global coffee culture and local flavors. Barista operates outlets across India and Sri Lanka, continuing its journey of redefining the coffee experience for its patrons.


ITC Candyman Introduces Soft Chews with New Digital Campaign

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 14, 2026

ITC Candyman has expanded its confectionery portfolio with the launch of Candyman Fruitee Fun Soft Chews, supported by a new digital campaign that revives the brand’s popular ‘Kuch Bhi Karega for Candyman!’ proposition.

The campaign highlights the brand’s move beyond traditional hard candies by introducing a softer, easy-to-chew format designed to offer a more playful and engaging confectionery experience for young consumers.

Conceptualised by Ulka, the digital video campaign follows a fun and imaginative storyline featuring a truck loaded with Candyman treats that is stopped by kangaroo “toll keepers” asking for Candyman in exchange for passage. The film unfolds through a series of playful twists and imaginative moments, eventually showcasing the appeal of Candyman Fruitee Fun Soft Chews.

The campaign concludes with the brand sign-off: “Candyman Fruitee Fun - Chewy, Juicy, Fruity Fun. Kuch Bhi Karega for Candyman.”

Speaking about the campaign, Subash Balar, Vice President and Business Head – Chocolates, Coffee and Confectionery & NCD, Foods Division, ITC Ltd said, “While the confectionery category in India continues to be largely taste-led, we are seeing a growing importance of experience, especially among younger consumers. With this new film for Candyman Fruity Fun Soft Chews, we wanted to bring alive the brand’s playful world through a narrative that is imaginative, interactive, and rooted in fun. The campaign builds on our ‘Kuch Bhi Karega for Candyman!’ proposition, using storytelling to deepen engagement and make the brand more relatable for kids.”

Rakesh Menon, Chief Creative Officer, Ulka, said, “With Fruitee Fun Soft Chews, we wanted to build a world where imagination takes over reality. The idea was to create a narrative that feels unpredictable, playful, and full of delightful twists, much like the product itself."

According to the company, Candyman Soft Chews reflects the growing shift in the confectionery segment from being purely taste-focused to becoming more experience-led. With its soft chewy texture, fruity flavours, and colourful presentation, the product aims to create a more interactive and enjoyable experience for children.

As changing consumer preferences continue to influence the confectionery market, ITC Foods said it remains focused on product and format innovation through the Candyman portfolio, combining creative storytelling with evolving consumer expectations.


Papa Johns India Expands Delivery Reach Through Swiggy and Zomato

Papa Johns India Expands Delivery Reach Through Swiggy and Zomato

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 14, 2026

Papa Johns India has announced the launch of its delivery services on leading food aggregator platforms Swiggy and Zomato, marking a major step in expanding the brand’s accessibility and customer reach across its growing store network.

The development comes after the brand’s re-entry into the Indian market in late 2025, when operations initially focused on direct-to-consumer channels through its own mobile application and in-house delivery system. The addition of aggregator platforms is expected to further strengthen the brand’s delivery ecosystem and drive wider customer engagement.

Currently, Papa Johns India operates 8 outlets in Bengaluru, all of which are available for delivery through the brand’s own app. The company also plans to open 30 additional outlets in the city during this financial year as part of its expansion strategy.

The delivery integration combines aggregator partnerships with backend systems and in-house operational processes to improve order tracking, delivery speed, and consistency in customer experience. Papa Johns India operates under Ambrosia QSR, a platform owned by Pulsar Capital.

Speaking about the expansion, Prashant Mehta, Managing Partner at Ambrosia QSR, said, “The launch of aggregator delivery is an important step in scaling Papa Johns in India. Over the past few months, our focus has been on building a strong operational foundation, including store execution, supply chain, and direct delivery capabilities. With aggregators now live, we are well-positioned to expand reach while maintaining control over quality and experience.”

Since bringing the brand back to India, Ambrosia QSR has focused on establishing flagship stores in key locations, strengthening supply chain and backend infrastructure, and scaling its direct ordering and delivery channels.

The addition of Swiggy and Zomato delivery services is expected to significantly increase customer reach, support incremental order volumes, and create a more scalable and standardised operating model for the brand.

Ambrosia QSR plans to continue expanding Papa Johns presence in India with a focus on sustainable growth, strong unit economics, and a customer-first approach.


FOO Bengaluru Launches Mango Mood Dessert for the Summer Season

FOO Bengaluru Launches Mango Mood Dessert for the Summer Season

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 14, 2026

FOO Bengaluru has introduced Mango Mood, a seasonal dessert specially crafted to celebrate the richness and freshness of mango season. Available for a limited time, the dessert brings together vibrant flavours and layered textures inspired by summer indulgence.

The dessert features a smooth mango mousse paired with mango compote and a soft sponge base, finished with a white chocolate glaze and cocoa butter coating. Served alongside filo crisp, fresh mango pieces, and a scoop of mango ice cream, Mango Mood offers a balance of creamy, fruity, and crunchy elements in every bite.

Designed to be playful yet refined, the dessert captures the essence of summer dining and adds a refreshing seasonal touch to FOO’s menu this May.

Mango Mood is available from 1st May 2026 to 31st May 2026 across select FOO outlets including Bengaluru at Brigade Road and Orion Mall – Rajajinagar.

The dessert is also available at FOO outlets in Mumbai including Bandra, Andheri, Phoenix Palladium, Thane, Town, Jio World Drive, NESCO, Powai, and Borivali. Guests in Ahmedabad can enjoy it at Palladium, while it is also available in Pune at The Kopa Mall and Hyderabad at Inorbit.

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