Serving Success: ITC's Cloud Kitchen Sets a New Culinary Standard

Serving Success: ITC's Cloud Kitchen Sets a New Culinary Standard

By Author

Published on January 3, 2024

ITC, a name synonymous with diverse business ventures, is set to elevate its presence in the food-tech industry by expanding its cloud kitchen business. This innovative move comes as the conglomerate identifies food-tech as a key growth vector. Currently operating in Bengaluru and Chennai, ITC's cloud kitchens have become a preferred choice for North Indian daily and gourmet cuisines, as well as bakery products.

The company's foray into the cloud kitchen landscape is marked by three distinct brands: ITC Aashirvaad Soul Creations for daily comfort food, ITC Master Chef Creations for gourmet delights, and ITC Sunfeast Baked Creations for bakery treats. With 19 cloud kitchens in Bengaluru and four in Chennai, ITC has already achieved the milestone of breaking even in these locations.

Hemant Malik, Executive Director at ITC, shares insights into the success of the venture, citing a winning formula that includes established brands, cuisine expertise from ITC Hotels' chefs, and the backing of the packaged foods business. "The tech-learning needed for the business comes from our focus on digitalization," adds Malik.

The business model involves the establishment of a central kitchen and satellite kitchens in cities where ITC operates. This strategic layout aligns with the preferences of food delivery giants like Swiggy and Zomato, who prefer kitchens every 2.5-3 km. ITC aims to replicate its success in Bengaluru by becoming a market leader in the premium space in other cities.

"We are already the market leader in Bengaluru in the premium space within two years of operation and will now scale up in other cities," says Malik. The cloud kitchen central kitchen in Bengaluru has the capability to service both Chennai and Hyderabad, showcasing ITC's commitment to operational efficiency.

Going beyond its current offerings, ITC plans to diversify its cloud kitchen menu by evaluating the addition of breakfast and oriental cuisines. Malik emphasises the company's strategy to introduce new cuisines and meals alongside expanding its presence in metro cities.

Noteworthy is the fact that ITC's cloud kitchens boast an average order value of Rs 900, double that of the industry average. The key differentiators from ITC Hotels' kitchens include a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) compared to 18% for hotel restaurants, and a focus on quick service.

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In an investor presentation, ITC highlighted the institutional synergies between its cloud kitchen business and other segments, such as packaging solutions, digital-first approaches, and culinary expertise. With over one million orders already delivered, ITC aims to capitalise on the 10% market share occupied by cloud kitchens in the food delivery platform landscape.

However, the presentation also acknowledged challenges, particularly the scalability issues associated with North Indian cuisine due to its dependency on chef skills and the lack of standardisation. Nevertheless, ITC's strategic approach and commitment to innovation position it as a formidable player in the evolving landscape of the food-tech industry.


Haldiram's Expands Punjab Presence with New Store Launch in Gurdaspur

Haldiram's Expands Punjab Presence with New Store Launch in Gurdaspur

By Hariharan U

Published on July 24, 2026

Haldiram's has strengthened its presence in Punjab with the launch of a new retail and dining outlet in Gurdaspur, further expanding its growing network across North India. Located at West Ville, Pathankot Bypass, Amritsar Highway, Dinanagar, the new store offers customers a comprehensive food and retail experience under one roof.

The newly opened outlet combines dine-in facilities with Haldiram's extensive portfolio of sweets, snacks, bakery products, frozen foods, ready-to-eat meals, beverages, and packaged food offerings. Designed as a convenient destination for both local residents and travellers, the store reflects the brand's continued focus on enhancing accessibility across key regional markets.

Guests can enjoy a diverse dining menu featuring North Indian and South Indian cuisine, chaats, traditional Indian sweets, bakery products, and popular street food favourites. The restaurant has been developed to provide a contemporary yet comfortable dining experience while maintaining the authentic flavours associated with the Haldiram's brand.

Beyond the dine-in experience, the outlet also houses Haldiram's complete retail range, including its signature namkeens, frozen foods, ready-to-eat products, beverages, and curated gifting options, enabling customers to enjoy the brand's products both at home and on the go.

The opening of the Gurdaspur outlet reinforces Haldiram's strategy of expanding into emerging regional markets while making its diverse culinary offerings more accessible to consumers across the country. The company continues to strengthen its national retail footprint by combining restaurant experiences with comprehensive food retail under a single destination.


NV Group Launches Stainley Gold Whisky and Blue Moon Minty Jamun Vodka, Expands Premium Spirits Portfolio

NV Group Launches Stainley Gold Whisky and Blue Moon Minty Jamun Vodka, Expands Premium Spirits Portfolio

By Hariharan U

Published on July 24, 2026

NV Group has announced the launch of two new products Stainley Gold, a premium blended Indian whisky, and Blue Moon Minty Jamun, a flavoured vodka as the company strengthens its presence in India's rapidly growing premium spirits market.

The launches mark NV Group's entry into two highly competitive spirits categories, targeting aspirational whisky consumers and younger adults seeking flavour-led drinking experiences. Initially introduced in Delhi, both brands will be rolled out across Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Chandigarh, Goa, and Maharashtra, with the company aiming to establish a presence in at least 10 states by FY2026–27.

According to the company, India's premium spirits segment continues to witness strong momentum, driven by rising consumer preference for premium products and increasing demand from Tier-II cities. Whisky remains the country's largest spirits category, while flavoured vodka is emerging as one of the fastest-growing segments.

Stainley Gold is a premium blended Indian whisky crafted using matured imported Scotch malts blended with Indian grain spirit. Bottled at 42.8% ABV, the whisky offers notes of soft oak, vanilla, and dried fruit. In Delhi, it is priced at ₹700 for a 750 ml bottle and will also be available in 375 ml, 180 ml, 90 ml, and 60 ml pack sizes.

Blue Moon Minty Jamun is a rice-based flavoured vodka distilled three times and bottled at 37.5% ABV. Featuring a jamun-forward flavour profile balanced with a light mint finish, the vodka is designed for cocktails, highballs, and shots. It is priced at ₹600 for a 750 ml bottle in Delhi and will also be offered in 375 ml and 180 ml variants.

Both products are manufactured at NV Distilleries & Breweries Pvt. Ltd. in Rajpura, Punjab, under the supervision of Ramesh Gaudo, Senior Vice President – Blending & Bottling, NV Group.

Commenting on the launch, Varun Jain, CEO & Founder of Smoke Lab, NV Group, said the Indian spirits market is evolving rapidly as consumers increasingly seek products that combine quality, authenticity, and distinctive flavour profiles. He added that Stainley Gold and Blue Moon Minty Jamun have been developed to meet these changing preferences while strengthening the company's presence across key spirits categories.

The launches further reinforce NV Group's strategy to expand its Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) portfolio across whisky and flavoured vodka. Over the next two years, the company plans to accelerate its state-by-state expansion while focusing on flavour-led innovation and premium positioning across India's evolving spirits market.

Founded by Ashok Jain, NV Group is an integrated alcobev company with operations spanning vodka, gin, whisky, rum, brandy, and beer. Through brands such as Smoke Lab and Mohulo, the company continues to expand its presence in both domestic and international markets while promoting contemporary Indian spirits.


AUM Premium to Launch Paper-Based Bottles by Year-End, Expands Sustainability Push

AUM Premium to Launch Paper-Based Bottles by Year-End, Expands Sustainability Push

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 24, 2026

AUM Premium, India's affirmation-led natural Himalayan spring water brand, is set to introduce paper-based bottles by the end of this year as part of its growing focus on sustainable packaging. The new concept is aimed at reducing the use of plastic while maintaining the premium quality and safety of the water.

The proposed packaging will use responsibly sourced paper combined with a food-grade barrier to minimise the use of conventional plastic without affecting the product's integrity. Its lightweight design is also expected to improve transportation efficiency and reduce the overall environmental impact associated with packaging and distribution.

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Through this initiative, AUM Premium is looking to develop packaging solutions that balance functionality, convenience and environmental responsibility while continuing to offer consumers a premium hydration experience.

As part of its wider sustainability efforts, the brand has also partnered with Scrapbuddy, a Delhi-based waste management and recycling startup. The collaboration will provide customers with an easy recycling programme for used bottles, encouraging responsible disposal of packaging waste and supporting the development of a more circular packaging ecosystem.

Commenting on the initiative, Jagriti Motwani, Founder & CEO, AUM Premium, said:

"Water is a product people consume every day, but the conversation around it has largely remained limited to purity and price. Packaging deserves equal attention. Our objective is to reduce unnecessary plastic wherever possible without compromising product quality. The paper-based bottle is one step in that direction, and we will continue exploring better alternatives as the technology evolves."

While conventional plastic remains the industry standard for bottled water, AUM Premium has chosen to explore more sustainable alternatives. Built around its philosophy of Affirm, Uplift and Manifest, the brand believes that delivering a premium product extends beyond the quality of the water to every aspect of the consumer experience.

Looking ahead, AUM Premium plans to continue reimagining its packaging approach as it enters its next phase of growth. With the planned introduction of 100% plastic-free bottles, the brand aims to take another meaningful step towards responsible packaging while preserving the premium experience it is known for.

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