You have Successfully logged In !
Already have an account? Login
By clicking Register you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Don't have an account?Register
Enter your E-mail address below, We will send the verification code
Please enter the code send to
Didn't receive the email?Click to resend
Your password has been successfully reset!.
Please login again to access your account.
An OTP has been sent to
Enter the 4-digit code
By Hariharan U
Published on November 13, 2025
FES Cafe, India’s first 100% eggless dessert-led cafe chain, has raised close to $1 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by 12 Flags, a global consumer fund founded by Rakesh Kapoor, former Global CEO of Reckitt Benckiser. Existing investor Wolfpack Labs, the venture studio co-founded by Aakash Anand and Prerna Gupta, has also increased its investment in this round.
The fresh capital will support FES Cafe’s expansion across Delhi NCR, enhance its central kitchen and delivery operations, and help the brand bring in key leadership talent for its next growth phase.
Since its launch, FES Cafe has become a cult-favourite destination for desserts, best known for its New York-style chunky cookies, rotating dessert drops, and lively community-driven formats. The brand has captured the imagination of Gen Z and millennial audiences who see FES not just as a cafe, but as a vibrant hangout spot that blends indulgence with connection.
“FES Cafe started with a simple belief: desserts deserve to be celebrated,” said Vidur Mayor, Founder & CEO, FES Cafe. “With 12 Flags' and Wolfpack's support, we're ready to take that vision to more neighborhoods, creating dessert-first cafes that double as community spaces. This next phase is about scaling with intention, expanding footprints while retaining the craft, culture, and consistency that make FES special.”
Rajat Agarwal, Partner and MD at 12 Flags, shared, “We’re excited to partner with FES, a distinctive neighborhood dessert cafe that brings together indulgent combinations like cookies and ice cream. With a sharp focus on consistency, quality, and execution, we’re confident this proposition will scale successfully across the country.”
Adding to that, Aakash Anand, Co-founder and Partner, Wolfpack Labs, said, “FES is building what India’s been waiting for: a true community cafe brand with the buzz of a Central Perk and the business rigour to back it up. From coffee raves to cult desserts, FES has all the right ingredients, a relatable brand, loyal following, solid unit economics, and a founder with the hustle to scale nationwide.”
Prerna Gupta, Founder, Wolfpack Labs, added, “We’re backing FES because it understands what the next generation wants: a space that’s inclusive, indulgent, and social. This is a brand that can grow fast and still feel personal, a rare and powerful combination.”
In addition, FES Cafe has onboarded Amit Nagpal, former CFO of Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, as Strategic and Financial Advisor to guide its expansion and financial strategy.
“FES has demonstrated strong early-stage store economics backed by a highly effective brand marketing strategy,” said Nagpal.
Founded by Vidur Mayor, FES Cafe is redefining the cafe experience for young India. Built around the idea of “desserts, connection, and community,” its cafes serve freshly baked cookies, puddings, alternative-ingredient cakes, and seasonal desserts, alongside savoury bites and unique events like Coffee Raves. Each outlet is designed as a “modern third space”—a spot to relax, connect, and indulge.
FES Cafe is India’s first 100% eggless dessert cafe chain, blending indulgence with innovation. The brand has created a unique dessert culture through its handcrafted offerings and community-driven cafe experience.
12 Flags is a global consumer investment firm founded by Rakesh Kapoor, former Global CEO of Reckitt Benckiser—the company behind household brands like Dettol, Harpic, and Durex. The fund partners with early-growth consumer businesses, offering capital along with strategic and operational expertise to help founders build category-leading, sustainable brands.
Wolfpack Labs is a venture studio and startup lab co-founded by Aakash Anand and Prerna Gupta, focused on supporting India’s next generation of founders. With deep involvement across product, design, and brand strategy, Wolfpack Labs helps early-stage startups build culturally relevant and enduring companies from the ground up.
Indus Towers and Bharti Airtel Foundation Strengthen Digital...
Indus Towers Limited, in collaboration with the Bharti Airte...
Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj Hosts Victoria’s Secret ‘Rome Afte...
Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj, hosted an exclusive ‘Rome After ...
Punjab & Sind Bank Contributes Rs 50 Lakh to Assam Chief Min...
Punjab & Sind Bank has contributed Rs 50 lakh to the Chief M...
Storii by ITC Hotels Expands Presence in Goa with Assagao Si...
ITC Hotels Limited has expanded its presence in Goa with the...
Published on August 26, 2026
Banaraswala – Ghat Se Ghar Tak has expanded its presence into New Delhi with the opening of two new QSR outlets in Rohini, bringing the authentic flavours and culinary traditions of Banaras to the capital.
The bootstrapped food brand, which began its journey with its first outlet in Varanasi, has expanded beyond its home city with the aim of making traditional Banarasi food more accessible to urban diners.
The two new outlets are located at Amba Tower, DC Chowk, Rohini Sector 9, and Pocket B4, Pocket 4, Sector 7B, Rohini. The outlets combine the convenience of a quick-service restaurant with recipes and flavours inspired by the food culture of Varanasi.
The menu features several popular Banarasi specialities, including Tamatar Chaat, Bedmi Puri Sabzi, Dahi Bhalla, Launglatta and Banarasiya Lassi. The offering also includes other traditional North Indian preparations, giving diners an opportunity to explore regional flavours in a contemporary QSR format.
Banaraswala's concept is built around preserving the character of traditional Banarasi cuisine rather than significantly altering classic recipes. The brand draws inspiration from the food found across the ghats and streets of Banaras, translating familiar regional dishes into a format suited to modern urban lifestyles.
The expansion comes amid growing interest in regional Indian cuisines, with consumers increasingly seeking food experiences rooted in local traditions and culinary heritage. Banaraswala aims to address this demand by combining authentic recipes with the accessibility and convenience of a QSR format.
The brand's journey has been entirely bootstrapped, growing from a single outlet in Varanasi into a multi-city food business. According to the company, customer response and loyalty in its home market played a key role in giving it the confidence to enter Delhi.
Commenting on the expansion, Vibhanshu Mishra, Founder & CEO, Banaraswala – Ghat Se Ghar Tak, said, "Banaras is unique in terms of its cuisine in the entire country. Each dish is associated with history, culture, and emotions that people have grown up with."
He added that the brand was created to take authentic Banarasi dishes beyond the ghats and introduce them to diners who may not have experienced the cuisine in its original setting.
With its Delhi expansion, Banaraswala aims to build an emotional connection with diners through the flavours of Banaras while developing a scalable regional food brand rooted in authenticity and culinary heritage.
Outlet 1: Shop No. 29, Amba Tower, DC Chowk, Rohini Sector 9, New DelhiOutlet 2: Pocket B4, Pocket 4, Sector 7B, Rohini, Delhi – 110085Cuisine: Banarasi & North IndianFormat: QSR
Eating Love has entered a new chapter with the launch of Eatinn' Love Trattoria in Jayanagar, Bengaluru, bringing its sourdough-led approach to a broader Italian dining experience inspired by the warmth and simplicity of traditional Roman trattorias.
The newly renovated restaurant moves beyond the brand's identity as a pizza destination, creating a more complete neighbourhood dining experience built around fresh ingredients, scratch-made preparations and an emphasis on thoughtful cooking.
Designed to evoke the character of a lived-in corner of Rome, Eatinn' Love Trattoria features a warm and understated setting intended to feel welcoming and familiar. The concept reflects the brand's philosophy of slowing down the dining experience and placing greater emphasis on craftsmanship, quality and authenticity.
A key highlight of the new restaurant is the introduction of Pala Romana pizza, a Roman-style pizza known for its light, airy texture and distinctive rectangular format. The category remains relatively underrepresented in India, and Eatinn' Love Trattoria aims to introduce it to Bengaluru diners through a focused approach rooted in traditional Italian techniques.
The Pala Romana offering has been developed to provide a different experience from conventional pizza, with an emphasis on balance, texture and flavour. The restaurant has adapted the style carefully while retaining its connection to authentic Italian culinary techniques.
The launch also introduces a more focused menu designed around depth rather than variety, allowing individual dishes to receive greater attention in terms of ingredients, preparation and presentation. Sourdough continues to remain central to the brand's culinary philosophy.
Reflecting its commitment to inclusive dining, Eatinn' Love Trattoria offers vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free pizzas, providing options for a wider range of diners.
The restaurant's identity is expressed through an understated logo featuring two angled hearts, representing the care and intention behind the food and hospitality experience.
With its focus on patient cooking, fresh preparations and Roman-inspired dining, Eatinn' Love Trattoria positions itself as a neighbourhood destination for diners looking for a more relaxed and authentic Italian experience in Jayanagar.
Venue: Eatinn' Love Trattoria, Jayanagar, BengaluruTimings: 11:30 AM – 10:30 PMContact: 8660700642Cuisine: ItalianDietary Options: Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten-Free Pizzas
Published on August 25, 2026
Zega at Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel has unveiled the Mizuwari Series, a new collection of seven signature cocktails inspired by the Japanese tradition of Mizuwari, meaning “cut with water,” and the seven virtues of the Samurai.
Rooted in the principles of balance, restraint and refinement, the new beverage concept combines bold flavours, subtle dilution and considered craftsmanship. Each cocktail is designed around a distinct virtue, translating elements of Japanese philosophy into a contemporary drinking experience.
The collection features Makoto, Chu, Ikigai, Rei, Jin, Yu and Meiyo, with each creation offering its own flavour profile and personality.
The journey begins with Makoto – Honesty & Sincerity, combining vodka, Aperol, yuzu lime and fizz. Chu – Duty & Loyalty brings together bourbon whisky, lime, sesame and Angostura bitters in a characterful highball.
Ikigai – The Secret to a Long & Happy Life combines gin, cherry cordial, hibiscus and sparkling elements, while Rei – Beauty in Imperfection takes a more unexpected approach with vodka, pickled ginger, kaffir lime, cucumber and watermelon.
The collection continues with Jin – Compassion, a blush-pink highball featuring gin, passion, strawberry sweet vermouth, citrus and fizz. Yu – Heroic Courage combines gin, cherry wine, Campari, lime and fizz, while Meiyo – Honour brings together white rum, pineapple, Campari and lime for a more layered profile.
Together, the seven cocktails create a beverage experience that goes beyond individual flavour combinations, inviting guests to explore the stories and virtues represented by each creation.
Through the Mizuwari Series, Zega continues to explore contemporary Japanese-inspired beverage experiences, bringing together traditional philosophy, modern mixology and thoughtful presentation. From refreshing and delicate profiles to richer and more complex combinations, the collection encourages guests to pause, discover and savour each cocktail.
Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!
Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.
By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Advertise With Us
We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.
A platform dedicated to showcase the skills and creativity of hospitality professionals. Share your articles, videos and other content related to the industry and get recognized for your unique perspective and expertise. By posting your content and gaining likes from your own community, we'll categorize your talents and expose them to the hospitality world. Join our community of passionate hospitality professionals and let your talent shine!.
Already have an account?Login
By clicking you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Subscribe for ₹2,000 and receive our monthly magazine for one year (12 months) from the coming month and save 2 months cost.