SirDavis Whiskey Launches in Travel Retail with DFS

SirDavis Whiskey Launches in Travel Retail with DFS

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on September 7, 2024

SirDavis, a new American whiskey created by Moët Hennessy and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, has been introduced to travel retail with DFS at major US airports. Travelers can now find the premium whiskey at duty-free stores in John F. Kennedy (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), and San Francisco (SFO) International airports. Special tasting sessions are available for passengers at DFS locations within JFK and LAX.

SirDavis whiskey is a tribute to Beyoncé’s great-grandfather, Davis Hogue, a farmer and moonshiner during Prohibition. The design of the bottle reflects the Art Deco style of Hogue’s era, with its sleek, ribbed glass creating an impression of luxury and elegance.

Crafted by Master Distiller Dr. Bill Lumsden, the whiskey features a blend of 51% rye and 49% malted barley, with secondary maturation in sherry casks. This unique combination offers a smooth texture and a flavor profile reminiscent of Japanese and Scotch whiskies while maintaining the robust character of American rye.

image

The whiskey’s release in travel retail follows an “overwhelming” pre-order period that began on August 20. SirDavis is now available not only in airports but also in domestic retail across select US states, including California, New York, Texas, and more. The brand has also expanded internationally, with distribution in London, Paris, and Tokyo, and additional markets planned.

SirDavis is designed to stand out on shelves, both in its packaging and flavor. The bottle’s minimal branding and striking design set a new standard for modern luxury spirits. Along with a rich flavor experience, SirDavis offers a nod to tradition and innovation, aiming to appeal to both seasoned whiskey drinkers and new enthusiasts.

Travelers passing through DFS stores can also enjoy exclusive promotions, including a Gift-With-Purchase for DFS Circle App members, and can order the whiskey online for convenient pickup.

For a signature experience, try [Honey Bee], a cocktail paying homage to the brand's founder and crafted using SirDavis American Whisky, fresh lemon juice, and honey syrup, garnished with honeycomb.

Honey Bee

image

Ingredients

2 oz SirDavis American Whisky

.75 oz Lemon Juice

.5 oz Honey Syrup*

Garnish: Honeycomb

*To make honey syrup, add 2 parts honey and 1 part water into a small saucepan over medium heat.  Stir until the honey is dissolved. Allow to cool and transfer to an airtight container.

Instructions

Add liquid ingredients to a shaker tin with ice going in last. Shake for dilution and pour into a coupe glass. Garnish with honeycomb.

image


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.

Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!

Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.

By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

Advertise With Us

We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.