Cinépolis India has announced the launch of the Blockbuster Food Festival (BFF), a three-month, pan-India food and beverage initiative rolled out under its FOOVIES platform. The campaign, which went live from 1 January 2026, will run across 80+ Cinépolis locations in over 40 cities, serving as a large-scale testing ground for menu innovation.

As part of the festival, Cinépolis is introducing 21 new food items, with select dishes rotating monthly through the January–March period. Based on consumer response and performance, the most popular offerings will be inducted into the permanent FOOVIES menu at the end of the campaign.

The initiative builds on FOOVIES, Cinépolis India’s food-and-movies platform launched earlier this year, aimed at positioning cinema dining as a core part of the movie-going experience. With 491 screens across 41 cities, the brand is leveraging its national footprint to gather real-time consumer insights at scale.

India’s F&B-to-ticket spend ratio currently stands at 50–55 percent, significantly lower than the global average of nearly 100 percent. This gap presents a clear opportunity for growth, and Cinépolis sees continuous menu innovation as a key lever to unlock higher in-cinema spending.

“F&B already contributes around 30 percent of our revenue, but we are only at the beginning,” said Devang Sampat, Managing Director, Cinépolis India. “Audiences are increasingly viewing food as part of the cinema experience, not an add-on. The Blockbuster Food Festival allows us to test what works at scale. What our patrons love will stay. That’s the FOOVIES approach, innovate, listen, and build around consumer preference.”

The festival menu features a mix of regional comfort foods and indulgent desserts, including Desi Chicken Keema with Kulcha, Hot Garlic Kurkure Momos, Dal Vada Tikki, Potato Bomb, and Peanut Butter Cheesecake. New items will continue to be introduced during the festival period to keep the offering fresh and engaging.

With the Blockbuster Food Festival, Cinépolis India is reinforcing its focus on elevating the in-cinema dining experience while driving higher engagement and spend, positioning food as an integral part of the modern movie outing.

McDonald’s India, North and East has marked a significant milestone in its journey of empowering young individuals across the region through its flagship initiative, ‘McDonald’s for Youth.’ The programme has supported over 2,500 youth in taking their first steps into the workforce, surpassing its original hiring goals and reinforcing the brand’s long-term commitment to inclusive growth.

The initiative is focused on creating meaningful employment opportunities for young people, especially those from less privileged backgrounds. By working closely with non-governmental organisations and community groups, the programme equips participants with essential skills, confidence, and clear pathways for long-term professional growth.

Designed to contribute to India’s broader growth story, ‘McDonald’s for Youth’ integrates McDonald’s global training curriculum. Participants receive structured training across key areas such as customer service, communication, teamwork, food safety and hygiene, and professional development, helping them build a strong foundation for their careers.

Commenting on the milestone, Rajeev Ranjan, Managing Director, McDonald’s India – North and East, said, “At McDonald’s, we believe every person has the opportunity to grow, learn, and discover their potential. Through ‘McDonald’s for Youth,’ we have supported over 2,500 young individuals in taking their first steps into the workforce, equipping them not just with skills, but with confidence, resilience, and a sense of purpose. Each story of growth reminds us that meaningful opportunities can transform lives, strengthen communities, and build a foundation for a brighter future. This milestone reflects our commitment to empowering youth and creating pathways that extend far beyond the restaurant walls.”

Since its inception, the initiative has expanded across Tier 1 and Tier 2 markets including Delhi NCR, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. In its current phase, the programme is increasingly driven by local catchment-based outreach, with teams engaging directly with nearby villages and communities to create awareness about structured employment opportunities and encourage higher youth participation.

Youth recruited under the programme undergo hands-on training across core areas such as food safety and hygiene, customer service, cash handling, teamwork, and restaurant operations. These transferable skills enhance employability not only within McDonald’s but also across the wider service sector.

Building on the success of this milestone, McDonald’s India, North and East plans to further scale the initiative and is inviting NGO partners across cities including Kolkata, Bhubaneshwar, Lucknow, and other locations to collaborate in the next phase of youth employment. NGOs interested in participating in the initiative can reach out at hiring.ngo@del.in.mcd.com.

About McDonald’s India North and East:

McDonald’s restaurants in North and East India are operated by Connaught Plaza Restaurants Pvt. Ltd. The brand is committed to delivering high-quality restaurant experiences and serves a wide range of menu options made using quality ingredients sourced locally. McDonald’s serves millions of customers annually across its 300 restaurants and 180 McCafe outlets in the region and provides direct employment to over 6,000 people. With a strong customer-first approach, the brand operates through multiple formats including standalone restaurants, Drive-thru’s, and 24/7 outlets.

SLMG Beverages has closed the year on a strong note, crossing the ₹8,000 crore revenue mark on the back of consistent demand across categories. The company expects this positive momentum to continue and is steadily working towards achieving its next major revenue milestone, supported by disciplined growth and long-term planning.

The company’s growth has been built gradually through phased additions to manufacturing capacity and expansion of its distribution network. As volumes continue to scale, SLMG Beverages is actively evaluating further investments to ensure production and logistics remain efficient, especially during periods of peak demand such as the summer season.

Among the key initiatives under consideration is the development of a large integrated manufacturing facility spread across nearly 70 acres. Currently at the planning stage, the proposed facility is aimed at supporting the company’s future requirements rather than addressing immediate capacity constraints. A formal announcement regarding this expansion is expected at a later stage.

SLMG’s manufacturing operations are anchored by several large, highly automated plants operating multiple product lines. This model has enabled the company to effectively manage seasonal demand cycles while maintaining consistency in output and quality across its portfolio.

Commenting on the company’s performance and outlook, Joint Managing Director Mr. Paritosh Ladhani said, “Crossing the ₹8,000 crore mark is a watershed moment for us. As the business grows to take the next leap, our focus pivots on ensuring that our systems, processes, and teams are equipped to handle higher volumes over long term, something that SLMG Beverages is acclaimed for.”

With beverage consumption continuing to rise across India, the company is positioning itself for measured expansion, backed by careful investments and a sharp focus on operational excellence to support sustainable growth.