Sapphire Foods India Ltd and Devyani International Ltd have received board approvals for a merger that will bring the two companies together under a single entity. The proposed consolidation marks a significant step in India’s quick service restaurant space and will create a unified Yum! Brands franchisee for KFC and Pizza Hut in the country.

Under the approved scheme of arrangement, Sapphire Foods will merge with and into Devyani International through a share-swap structure. The consolidation is expected to strengthen operational scale, streamline brand strategy, and position the merged entity for its next phase of growth and profitability.

In a joint statement, the companies said the merger will result in “a single unified Yum! India Franchisee for KFC and Pizza Hut,” bringing together operations that currently run parallel across multiple markets.

The transaction remains subject to customary regulatory and statutory approvals, including clearances from stock exchanges, the Competition Commission of India, the National Company Law Tribunal, and approvals from shareholders and creditors of both companies. Once these approvals are received, the merger will become effective.

As per the scheme, 177 equity shares of Devyani International will be issued for every 100 equity shares of Sapphire Foods. Additionally, Arctic International, a Devyani group company, will acquire approximately 18.5 percent of Sapphire Foods’ paid-up equity share capital from existing promoters, with an option to assign this stake to a mutually agreed financial investor.

Yum! Brands has approved the proposed consolidation. As part of the transaction, Devyani International will also acquire 19 KFC restaurants currently operated by Yum! India in Hyderabad. The company will pay a one-time charge to Yum! India towards merger approval and license fees for the additional territory.

The merger is expected to deliver meaningful synergies, including the creation of one of the largest QSR platforms in India with an expanded national footprint. The unified structure is also expected to unlock growth through a single brand strategy for both KFC and Pizza Hut. Devyani International expects annual synergy benefits in the range of Rs 210 to 225 crore from the second full year of integrated operations.

Commenting on the development, Ravi Jaipuria, Non-Executive Chairman of Devyani International, said, “The merger also adds a strong international presence in Sri Lanka, which complements our existing overseas operations.” He added, “This combination will allow DIL to realise meaningful economies of scale, leverage a unified technology platform, and strengthen our supply-chain capabilities. Together, these advantages will help unlock sustained value creation and long-term growth for our shareholders, customers, employees, and partners.”

Sumeet Narang, SFML nominee director of Sapphire Foods and Founder of Samara Capital, said, “We are extremely excited about this development, which brings together a single, unified franchisee for KFC and Pizza Hut in India through the merger with Devyani International Limited. This transaction reflects the shared long-term vision and strong partnership between Samara Capital Group and RJ Corp.”

Yum! Brands CFO Ranjith Roy said, “DIL and SFIL have been outstanding partners to Yum! for many years. We are pleased to support this proposed merger to unlock a new phase of accelerated growth in the region and to advance supply chain operations, leading to a stronger, more resilient partner in India.”

Devyani International is the largest franchisee for KFC and Pizza Hut in India and also operates Costa Coffee, Tea Live, New York Fries, Sanook Kitchen, and the South Indian vegetarian QSR brand Vaango. Sapphire Foods operates KFC and Pizza Hut outlets across multiple states in India and Sri Lanka and also runs Taco Bell restaurants in Sri Lanka. Together, the combined platform is expected to significantly strengthen India’s organised QSR landscape.

Café Delhi Heights has launched its 49th outlet at Unity One Eleganté, Netaji Subhash Place, further strengthening its presence in the capital. The new opening marks another milestone for the popular casual dining brand as it continues to add flavour and character to West Delhi’s evolving food scene.

Situated in one of West Delhi’s busiest and well-connected neighbourhoods, the outlet is designed to welcome a wide mix of guests, from families and friends to working professionals. Spread across approximately 1,840 sq. ft., the café can seat 71 guests, with 57 indoor seats and 14 outdoor covers, offering a comfortable and relaxed dining setting.

Staying true to the brand’s focus on food and ambience, the NSP outlet features an elegant Art Deco design. Clean lines, geometric elements, and rich textures give the space a refined yet warm feel, creating an inviting environment that suits both casual meet-ups and corporate gatherings.

Speaking about the launch, Vikrant Batra, Founder of Café Delhi Heights, said, "Every new outlet is a reflection of our commitment to creating spaces where people feel at home. NSP is one of Delhi's most energetic hubs, and we wanted to bring a fresh, thoughtfully designed Café Delhi Heights experience to this neighborhood. The Art Deco theme complements our vision of blending comfort with sophistication, while continuing to serve the flavors and hospitality that our guests love."

Founded by the Batra brothers, Café Delhi Heights began its journey with its first outlet at Crosspoint Mall in Gurgaon and has since grown into a nationally recognised brand with a presence across 17 cities. Its menu brings together global inspirations and comfort favourites, ranging from the popular Juicy Lucy Burger to European offerings and Indian classics, with a strong focus on quality ingredients and inventive flavours.

Beyond its flagship cafés, the brand continues to expand through Café Delhi Heights 2.0 and other concepts such as IKIGAI in Delhi and Sarava in Goa. With plans to scale up to nearly 120 locations, including international markets, Café Delhi Heights is steadily gearing up for its next phase of growth while staying rooted in warmth, connection, and comfort-driven dining.

Karigari by Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi has expanded its beverage offerings with the introduction of Kanji, a traditional naturally fermented Indian probiotic drink, now available across select outlets in Delhi NCR. Deeply rooted in age-old Indian culinary practices, Kanji brings together simplicity, nourishment and refreshment in its most natural form.

Prepared through natural fermentation without the use of artificial additives or preservatives, Karigari’s Kanji is rich in probiotics that support digestion, gut health and overall immunity. Light on the palate yet nourishing, the beverage is designed to pair effortlessly with everyday meals while promoting daily wellness.

The offering is available in three thoughtfully crafted variants. Amla Kanji is known for its high vitamin C content and immunity-boosting properties. Haldi Kanji is valued for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, while Beetroot Kanji supports blood circulation, liver health and natural detoxification, offering a gentle energy lift along with its earthy flavour.

With this launch, Karigari presents a modern yet authentic take on a traditional Indian probiotic beverage. The addition reflects the brand’s commitment to celebrating regional flavours while adapting them for contemporary lifestyles, making gut-friendly choices both accessible and enjoyable.

Kanji is available in 200 ml bottles across eight Karigari outlets in Delhi NCR.