Jay Jay Capital and Kwality Restaurants Bet Big on Playboy in India

Jay Jay Capital and Kwality Restaurants Bet Big on Playboy in India

By Author

Published on September 23, 2023

In the wake of the Playboy Club's successful debut in New Delhi this March, Rohit Malhotra, CEO of Jay Jay Capital Investments and Kwality Restaurants Pvt Limited, has announced ambitious plans to open 12 to 15 more outlets in the next 24 to 30 months. The ultimate aim is to attain a revenue of INR 200 crore.

Jay Jay and Kwality Restaurants, in collaboration with PLBY Group, Inc., a prominent player in the pleasure and leisure lifestyle industry and the proud custodian of Playboy, one of the globe's most iconic and beloved brands, celebrated the grand launch of the Playboy Club in the heart of India's bustling capital, New Delhi. This vibrant city stands as the epicentre of the nation's most significant business, entertainment, and lifestyle scenes.

In a surprising turn of events, after previously considering no further franchise expansion for the Playboy brand in India last year, this year witnessed a remarkable shift in strategy. They have enthusiastically committed to investing a substantial sum, ranging from INR 45 to 60 crore, in expanding the brand's presence over the next 2.5 years. Speaking about this exciting expansion initiative, it was underscored that financial constraints would not hinder their progress should promising opportunities arise.

"While discussing this during an interaction, Rohit Malhotra, the CEO of the investment company and Kwality Restaurants Pvt Ltd, emphasised their intention to open 12 to 15 more outlets in addition to the existing six within the next 2 to 3 years. He further mentioned, 'We currently have four outlets in the pipeline, so achieving this target should be well within reach,' as Malhotra expressed his confidence.

With the envisioned brand expansion, the company aspires to elevate Playboy into a INR 200-crore turnover enterprise within the next two years. Currently, Jay Jay Capital and Kwality Restaurants manage six outlets in the country, consisting of five vibrant beer gardens/pubs and one exquisite Playboy Club lounge nestled within a luxurious five-star hotel in Delhi. These establishments are located in Gurugram, Delhi, Dehradun, Guwahati, and Zirakpur.

"The company is eagerly preparing for the launch of its Playboy cafe format in Bengaluru within the next month, with plans for a second outlet in the same city slated for the year's end, as stated by Malhotra. Furthermore, they have already inked deals for outlets in Kolkata, Noida, and Mohali. Malhotra expressed, 'We are actively scouting for more locations across the country.' He also revealed their enthusiasm for expanding into areas such as Chennai, Goa, and other potential destinations.

Jay Jay Capital and Kwality Restaurants assumed control of PB Lifestyle, the master franchisee that had ceased operations several years ago. Malhotra shared that just last week, they emerged victorious in a legal dispute with a former franchisee in Chandigarh who had failed to meet brand standards. He added, 'We decided last year not to extend any more franchise agreements, and currently, all existing franchisee locations are run directly by our company.

When asked about the localization efforts to align their products and services with the Indian palate, Malhotra explained that they have made adjustments in both their food offerings and services to cater to the Indian market. In terms of cuisine, they have introduced a substantial selection of Indian and Asian dishes to better suit the Indian palate. Regarding the service aspect, while the Playboy brand is renowned for its unique 'Playboy Bunnies' service, they have taken cultural sensitivities into account and have opted not to offer 'Bunny' services in India. Malhotra emphasised, 'Apart from these two aspects, everything else adheres to the international standards of the Playboy brand.


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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