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.


McDonald’s Returns to Sales Growth with Pop Culture Tie-ins and Budget Meals

McDonald’s Returns to Sales Growth with Pop Culture Tie-ins and Budget Meals

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 10, 2025

McDonald’s has bounced back to growth, reporting a 3.8% rise in global same-store sales for the second quarter of 2025, driven by smart value-driven offerings and creative pop culture collaborations. The uptick marks a positive shift for the brand after four quarters of sluggish or declining growth, helped along by consumer-focused strategies aimed at easing economic concerns.

International markets led the charge, while sales in the US rose by 2.5%, reversing the downward trend seen in previous quarters. The brand’s strong quarter was supported by promotions tied to pop culture, such as limited-time offers linked to the Minecraft movie and Squishmallows collectibles, which drew attention from younger audiences and families alike.

Alongside the promotions, the launch of a $5 meal bundle and the introduction of new chicken items helped McDonald’s connect with budget-conscious customers seeking both value and variety. These strategies appear to have paid off, positioning McDonald’s for continued momentum.

“The overall second-quarter results show that McDonald's strategy is working and could lead to sustained same-store sales outperformance compared to the rest of the industry,” noted Jon Tower, analyst at Citi.

The rebound in the US is particularly notable, especially when compared to competitors like Chipotle Mexican Grill and Pizza Hut, which continue to face challenges in communicating value to consumers. McDonald’s blend of affordability and fun has given it a clear edge, demonstrating how well-timed promotions and accessible pricing can win over today’s cautious diners.


Popeyes Launches in Mumbai with Four New Outlets

Popeyes Launches in Mumbai with Four New Outlets

By Hariharan U

Published on August 10, 2025

Popeyes, the globally loved brand known for its Louisiana-style fried chicken, has officially arrived in Mumbai with the launch of four restaurants across the city. The new outlets are located at Inorbit Mall, Vashi, Phoenix Marketcity, Kurla, and Viviana Mall, Thane, with a fourth store opening soon at Terminal 2 of Mumbai Airport.

Operated in India by Jubilant FoodWorks Limited, Popeyes is celebrated for its juicy, 12-hour marinated fried chicken infused with bold Cajun spices and hand-battered for a crispy, flavour-packed bite.

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Sameer Khetarpal, CEO and MD of Jubilant FoodWorks Limited, said, “We are thrilled to bring Popeyes to Mumbai, a city renowned for its love for vibrant and diverse flavours. The brand has received an incredible response across India, and we are confident that Mumbaikars will embrace our signature offerings with the same enthusiasm.

Gaurav Pande, Executive Vice President & Business Head of Popeyes India, added, “Mumbai is a key market for us, and we are delighted to make a grand entry in the city with four stores at prime locations. We’re excited for our Gen Z and millennial audiences to experience everything from the Chicken Sandwich that broke the internet to new flavours in our wings range”.

With its mix of bold flavours, quality ingredients, and global appeal, Popeyes aims to offer Mumbai diners a unique fried chicken experience that stands apart in a competitive market.


Serve Robotics and Little Caesars Introduce Autonomous Pizza Delivery in Los Angeles via Uber Eats

Serve Robotics and Little Caesars Introduce Autonomous Pizza Delivery in Los Angeles via Uber Eats

By Nishang Narayan

Published on August 9, 2025

Little Caesars customers in Los Angeles might soon find a robot at their doorstep delivering HOT-N-READY® pizzas, thanks to a new collaboration between Serve Robotics Inc. (Nasdaq: SERV), the nation’s third-largest pizza chain, and Uber Eats (NYSE: UBER).

The partnership introduces autonomous sidewalk delivery robots into Little Caesars’ Los Angeles delivery operations via Uber Eats, enhancing service speed, convenience, and sustainability. This move builds on Serve’s existing footprint in Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, and Atlanta, with additional U.S. cities expected soon.

Ali Kashani, CEO of Serve Robotics, said: “Delivering for a beloved national chain like Little Caesars is another opportunity for us to show how we help merchants grow and give consumers a better delivery experience. Seeing a Serve robot at your door will soon become as much of a weekly tradition as pizza night.”

Serve’s third-generation robots are designed with pizza delivery in mind, featuring an expanded cargo bin that can hold four 16-inch pizzas plus sides and drinks, all while maintaining optimal temperature and quality en route.

Trish Heusel, Vice President of Innovation at Little Caesars, added: “Little Caesars is always looking for ways to be innovative in the restaurant industry, and we are proud to partner with Serve Robotics and Uber Eats to deliver our delicious pizzas to our customers in Los Angeles. Partnering with Serve allows us to deliver a solution that aligns with our commitment to better service and technology-forward solutions while reducing our environmental footprint.”

Megan Jensen, Head of Autonomous Delivery Operations at Uber Eats, noted: “By combining smart technology with everyday convenience, we’re making delivery easier, more reliable, and more sustainable.”

Customers in Serve’s Los Angeles delivery zone can now opt for autonomous delivery when ordering Little Caesars through the Uber Eats app.

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