Parag Milk Foods Enters RTD Protein Beverage Segment with Avvatar Protein Cold Coffee

Parag Milk Foods Enters RTD Protein Beverage Segment with Avvatar Protein Cold Coffee

By Hariharan U

Published on May 14, 2026

Parag Milk Foods has announced its entry into India’s rapidly expanding ready-to-drink (RTD) protein beverage segment through its sports nutrition brand Avvatar, in collaboration with Tetra Pak.

The company has launched Avvatar Protein Cold Coffee, a milk-based ready-to-drink protein beverage packaged in India’s first Tetra Prisma® Aseptic 250E pack. Designed for modern on-the-go consumption, the product combines convenience, taste, and functional nutrition in a format aimed at everyday consumers.

Priced at ₹120, the beverage delivers 15 grams of protein in a 250 ml serving and is available in Classic and Vanilla variants. Developed using milk protein, the drink contains no added sugar or artificial sweeteners, reflecting growing consumer demand for healthier and functional beverage alternatives.

The launch comes at a time when India’s whey protein and functional beverage market is witnessing significant growth, driven by increasing awareness around nutrition and wellness. According to the company, nearly 73% of Indians remain protein deficient, creating a strong opportunity for convenient protein-rich products integrated into everyday consumption habits.

By combining protein with cold coffee, one of India’s most popular daily beverages - Avvatar aims to make protein intake more accessible and lifestyle-oriented rather than limited to sports nutrition consumers.

The product is packaged in a distinctive octagonal-shaped Tetra Prisma® Aseptic pack, offering ergonomic handling, portability, and a premium shelf presence. The lightweight paper-based and recyclable packaging also aligns with the company’s focus on convenience and environmentally conscious packaging solutions.

The launch further strengthens Parag Milk Foods’ growing new-age business portfolio. The company stated that its emerging business segment, including Avvatar, recorded a 91% year-on-year growth in FY26, reflecting rising demand for health and nutrition-focused products.

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Speaking on the launch, Akshali Shah, Executive Director at Parag Milk Foods, said the brand’s objective was to integrate high-quality protein into familiar everyday routines through formats that balance taste, convenience, and functionality. She added that the future of nutrition lies in products that fit seamlessly into modern lifestyles.

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Cassio Simoes, Managing Director, Tetra Pak South Asia, highlighted the growing role of packaging innovation in scaling functional beverage categories in India. He noted that the Tetra Prisma® Aseptic 250E format is globally recognised for RTD protein beverages, offering convenience, safety, and premium shelf differentiation.

Founded in 1992, Parag Milk Foods has established itself as one of India’s leading dairy FMCG companies with brands including Gowardhan, Go, Pride of Cows, and Avvatar. Through Avvatar, the company has been expanding its footprint in sports nutrition and functional wellness products, with a continued focus on innovation and health-driven consumption.

For more information, visit Parag Milk Foods


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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