Dough as You like Set to Achieve ₹10 Cr Revenue in Two Years, Eyes to Open 45 Outlets by March 2025

With its rustic charm, caramelized top, and velvety texture, Brevé's San Sebastián Cheesecake has been a city favorite since its debut, igniting a dessert phenomenon that won over local foodies. Founders Usman Bhadelia, a triathlete, and Farhaz Bhadelia, a seasoned coffee roaster and barista, were inspired by the overwhelming response to create Basque by Brevé, a cozy, community-focused café in Bandra where guests can immerse themselves.

Every element, including the open kitchen layout and earthy tones and natural textures, was carefully planned by Kavya Shah to create a cozy and welcoming space. With seating for up to 35 guests, the minimalist decor is complemented by soft, warm lighting, providing a cozy ambiance that strikes a balance between intimacy and space.

Chef Mayor Sakpal contributes a wealth of culinary knowledge with an emphasis on quality ingredients and simplicity.

 A variety of cheesecake flavors, including the traditional Original Basque Cheesecake, the decadent Nutella San Sebastián Cheesecake, the coffee-infused Tiramisu Basque Cheesecake, the cool Strawberry Basque Cheesecake, and Lotus Biscoff Basque Cheesecake, are available to guests at Basque by Brevé. Each flavor is made with ingredients that are sourced locally and is sure to please the palate. With decadent toppings including Belgian Milk Chocolate, 54% Dark Chocolate, Strawberry Coulis, Pistachio Cream, Nutella Cream, Brown Butter Caramel Sauce, and Vanilla Crème Anglaise, guests can further enhance their cheesecake experience.

Speaking of Basque, Farhaz and Usman said, “At Basque by Brevé, we believe that the best moments are those spent over the perfect slice of cheesecake and a cup of carefully brewed coffee. Our space is an invitation to savour life’s simplest joys with authenticity and craftsmanship in every bite and sip.”

To complement the cheesecakes, Basque by Brevé offers handpicked specialty coffees crafted to elevate each bite. 

Say hello to your new donut destinations, as Mad Over Donuts (MOD) opens their new outlet in Kharadi, Pune.

The same cozy and welcoming atmosphere that has made MOD a household name will be available at the new store in Kharadi. Along with more than 24 different types of donuts, customers may also have coffee, bubble tea, brownies, bites, and much more on the varied menu. As a 100% eggless brand, Mad Over Donuts maintains its reputation for quality and creativity.

Tarak Bhattacharya, Executive Director and CEO of Mad Over Donuts, stated, “At MOD, our goal is to create joyful experiences for our customers through our delicious treats and friendly service. The opening of our new stores in Kharadi is a step forward in making our circle of happiness more accessible for everyone. We are excited to welcome new customers and look forward to spreading happiness one donut at a time.”

Bikaji Foods International Limited (Bikaji), one of India’s leading ethnic snack brands, has announced a strategic investment through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bikaji Foods Retail Limited (BFRL). The company will invest Rs 131.01 crore to acquire a 53.02 percent stake in Hazelnut Factory Food Products Private Limited (The Hazelnut Factory), a café and artisanal sweets brand based in Lucknow. The investment will take place over the next two years, to expand Bikaji’s presence in the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) and premium bakery sectors.

With this acquisition, Bikaji plans to broaden its product range by incorporating premium bakery and patisserie offerings. It also enhances its café menu to cater to changing consumer preferences in India’s retail market. The Hazelnut Factory operates six stores in Lucknow, with additional outlets in Kanpur and Delhi, offering a combination of specialty coffee, artisanal sweets, and bakery items.

The acquisition aligns with Bikaji's strategy to build a ‘House of Brands,’ expanding its portfolio into the growing QSR market. Deepak Agarwal, Managing Director of Bikaji Foods International stated, "This acquisition marks a significant step in Bikaji’s journey to expand beyond traditional ethnic snacks and enter into retail QSR, premium artisanal sweets, and bakery segment. By integrating THF's premium offerings and Bikaji’s manufacturing capabilities, we aim to cater to unique customer tastes and preferences, establishing Bikaji as a key player in the QSR space.”

Ankit Sahni, Founder of The Hazelnut Factory added, “We are excited to partner with Bikaji. With our innovative culinary offerings and Bikaji’s strong distribution network and operational excellence, we are well-positioned to accelerate our growth. Our combined expertise will allow us to cater to a wider audience.”

This acquisition comes as the QSR segment in India is experiencing rapid growth, particularly in tier-ll and tier-lll cities. Factors such as urbanization, a growing young population, increased travel, and expanding internet access are driving demand for convenient dining options. With this investment, Bikaji is poised to leverage these opportunities and strengthen its presence in India’s evolving retail and QSR landscape.

Magnolia Bakery, known for its range of freshly baked desserts including cupcakes, cakes, pies, cheesecakes, and its signature banana pudding, has opened its second outlet in Mumbai. The new store, located in the Worli neighborhood, launched on August 28, 2024. 

The bakery, originally established in 1996 on Bleecker Street in New York City’s West Village, has since grown into an internationally recognized brand, offering its desserts in a welcoming atmosphere. Brought to India by Spago Foods in 2019, this marks Magnolia Bakery’s eighth location in the country.

Magnolia Bakery operates corporately owned locations in New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles in the United States, while franchise outlets are spread across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Amman, Doha, Manila, and Istanbul.

Zonu Reddy, Partner at Spago Foods and Magnolia Bakery's India franchise holder said, "We are excited to open our second Magnolia Bakery store in Mumbai. The customer response since we first launched in Bangalore five years ago has been encouraging, motivating us to plan for further expansion across India. Our first Mumbai store is in Bandra, and we are eager to cater to the South Mumbai audience while offering our iconic Magnolia Bakery favorites as we approach the festive season."

The new 1,000 sq. ft. store in Worli, located at the Raheja Altimus building, offers both indoor and al fresco seating. Customers can enjoy watching the cupcake and cake decoration process or relax with freshly brewed coffee while indulging in the bakery's renowned desserts. 

This opening strengthens Magnolia Bakery’s presence in India, further positioning itself as a key player in the country’s evolving bakery and dessert market.

Bandra has got its newest offering Nostalgia Cafe and Bakery, wher customers can indulge in a few nostalgic snacks and comfort drinks. 

At a quaint corner of Hill Road, in a century-old building, this homely cafe whisks customers into the golden days, feeling like a much-needed warm hug in the fast-paced lives. 

A brainchild of Ranji Trophy cricketer and restaurateur Sinan Khader along with his uncle Salim Khader, Nostalgia serves a trip down the memory. Feel your smiles widen as you enter… Cassettes and vinyl records, posters of Bollywood classics, collages of your favourite TV shows, scattered handwritten scrapbook notes and vintage artifacts, every element invites you to relive memories. 

“We aimed to create a place where people could leave their worries behind and reflect on the best days of their lives. Every visitor will find themselves reminiscing about childhood stories, discussing their favourite music and movies, and making new memories while cherishing the old ones,” shared Khader.

Right after soaking in the interiors, dig into their tasty Veg puffs and Pattices, Crunchy Samosas, hot Bhurji or Kheema Pao, or the quintessential Bun Maska—everything perfect to relish on a rainy day. Don’t forget to try their Mushroom and Chicken and Corn quiches coming straight from what looks like a grandma’s cosy kitchen. And when was the last time you sipped on Milo, Boost, Horlicks or a Lemon Float? Slurp on the secret of our energies from an equally nostalgic beverage menu. Some soft warm cookies and brownies to go with it - just perfect. The sweet counter display of Dutch Pastry, Deep Forest Pastry, Baked Cheesecakes, Blueberry Muffins reminds of the ones you saw on your cartoon shows, everything so deliciously arranged. 

The interior design, reminiscent of a bygone era, features quaint knick-knacks, antique wooden furniture and benches, and whimsical touches that invite guests to unwind and savour all the feels. The ‘Foodopoly’ board creation is a highlight to relive the board games. 

The vision to create a space where people can experience the innocence and joy of their childhood is brilliantly executed by Principal interior designers Neetika Daga Design and Namrata Saigal Design Atelier. 

“We’ve chosen natural materials like warm wood, lime-washed walls, and rough-plastered ceilings that breathe comfort. We have lovingly added details that spark personal favourite stories while ensuring the space remains both functional and enveloping. The handmade items add personal touches, enhancing the nostalgic feel and making the space uniquely yours,” they added.

Founded by the passionate dessert aficionado, Shikha Jain, Crumb & Co. is a testament to the art of dessert-making, offering a delightful escape into the flavours and textures of authentic French pastries. 

At Crumb & Co., each dessert is a labour of love, meticulously handcrafted using traditional techniques and premium ingredients.
In a remarkably short span, Crumb & Co. has firmly established itself as a local favourite, celebrated for its commitment to quality and innovation. The brand's mission is clear: to bring the international dessert experience to the local community, creating a haven for those seeking the finest tastes of France right in their own neighbourhood.

"Crumb & Co. is my canvas of creativity, inspired by the elegance of French patisserie and the vibrant spirit of Kolkata. Each day, the smiles on our customers' faces fuel my passion to create desserts that bring joy and sweetness to every moment,” shared Jain.

From the rich, velvety Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake to the tantalising Irresistible Chocolate and Sea Salt Cookies and the timeless classic, Tiramisu, each creation is a masterpiece of flavour and texture. Not to be missed is the founder's personal favourite, the decadent Heavenly Chocolate Raspberry Cake, a true delight for the senses.

Embracing the changing seasons, Crumb & Co.'s menu is a dynamic reflection of the freshest ingredients, including succulent seasonal fruits like mangoes, creating a harmonious blend of local harvests and international flavours.

Looking ahead, Crumb & Co. envisions a future that includes establishing a farm-to-table-style restaurant, yet for now, the brand remains a devoted cloud patisserie, dedicated to crafting exceptional desserts that captivate the senses and elevate the sweet experience.
 

Délifrance is renowned for a century of French bakery expertise is set to enter India through Bahri Hospitality and Cuisines Pvt Ltd, a division of the Bahri Group.

The inaugural outlet is slated for South Delhi's Defence Colony. Bahri Hospitality holds the exclusive master franchise for Délifrance nationwide, with plans for potential sub-franchising.

Délifrance outlets are planned to operate across three distinct formats: Bistro, Bakery & Coffee Shop, and Express Delivery outlets.

The Bistro will offer an exclusive menu featuring viennoiseries, patisseries, hot dishes, and beverages, while the other formats will focus primarily on bakeries and patisseries.

“We are very excited to launch Délifrance in India. There is a huge potential in the bakery segment and this alliance with Délifrance will allow us to contribute in bringing the authentic taste of French bakery delicacies to the Indian subcontinent across many different channels.” said  Hemant Bahri, Founder and Managing Director of the Bahri Group.

Bahri Hospitality aims to expand the brand's presence by catering to Indian consumers through various channels, offering specially curated hampers and a blend of French bakery classics infused with local flavors. Importing French classic bakery goods from Délifrance, the group has established a central production unit in Delhi to create additional local bakes using French bakery techniques and high-quality ingredients.

At the occasion of Délifrance team visit in Delhi to finalize preparation of the coming store opening,

“Entering the Indian subcontinent is a fantastic challenge for our brand, in its ability to connect and adapt to the local taste and flavors, based on our 100 years legacy in milling and French bakery.” said Fabrice Herlax, International Marketing and Concept Strategy Director for Franchise and Branded Solutions, Délifrance.

Délifrance plans to launch five additional outlets in Delhi/NCR by the conclusion of the 2023-24 financial year.

Over the following five years, the brand aims to expand by opening 25 to 30 Délifrance outlets in diverse formats throughout India.

The Melt Bake House, a modern bakery and coffee shop, is thrilled to announce the opening of its newest store in Basant Lok Market, Vasant Vihar. 

With a commitment to delivering exceptional taste, meticulous craftsmanship, and a personalized coffee experience, Melt Bake House has created a name for itself with their first outlet in Saket. 

It also aims to carve a distinct presence in the saturated dessert and coffee market.

"We are thrilled to bring Melt Bake House's unique bakery and coffee experience to Basant Lok Market, Vasant Vihar. Our aim is to create a space where familiar flavors meet innovation, where every bite and sip evokes nostalgia and delight,” shared Rohit Beniwal, Co-Founder of Moonshot Foodworks Pvt Ltd.

The menu at Melt Bake House showcases a select range of offerings, including their signature thick, chunky, and center-filled New York style cookies, layer cakes, cupcakes, stuffed croissant buns, and Detroit style pizza slices. The brand prides itself on a clear focus on a relatively narrow but carefully curated selection. The menu also caters to special dietary needs with gluten-free and vegan choices. Each item promises generous portions and an incredibly delicious taste, reflecting the brand's commitment to delivering the finest bakery products.

“At Melt Bake House, we take immense pride in our artisanal products and meticulous processes. Our goal is to deliver not just delicious taste, but also a sense of joy and nostalgia through each creation. We can't wait to share our delightful treats with the community,” added Executive Chef Shubhi Kumar.

Melt Bakehouse is a contemporary bakery and coffee shop that aims to create a nostalgic and dedicated experience with their artisanal products, leaving customers happy and coming back for more. 
 

Courtyard by Marriott Shillong has launched its latest addition, the Shillong Baking Company.

Located within the hotel, the Shillong Baking Company offers guests and locals a selection of delectable baked goods, pastries and beverages. Each treat from coffee and fresh and flavourful pastries baked at dawn, to more substantial bites, all are masterfully crafted by the in-house pastry Chef Shanti Priya Manna.  

The outlet features an Interactive baking area that is always creating the next irresistible treat.

"We are excited to launch the Shillong Baking Company, which is the latest addition to our food and beverage offerings at Courtyard by Marriott Shillong. The café aesthetics has been designed to initiate conversations around food, nature, while also serving people the best and the latest from the world of baked food. Our guests and locals will now have a new destination to satisfy their sweet tooth or grab a quick bite from Shillong Bakery Company," said  Tushar Nagar, General Manager of Courtyard by Marriott Shillong.

The bakery offers a wide range of bread, cakes, cookies, pastries like ‘Red Velvet’, perfectly soft and chewy, gorgeously red and dotted with creamy Chocolate Chips, ‘Soft Centred’, Thick and chewy Chocolate Cookies filled with gooey pockets of Belgian Chocolate, ‘Coconut’, Overloaded with Coconut with Snchy on the outside and chewy and soft inside, and other baked goods that are freshly baked every day. The menu also includes a variety of beverages like, ‘Ristretto’, ‘Flavoured cappuccino’, ‘Cafe Latte’, ‘Emerald Green Tea’, ‘Mystical Assam Tea’, ‘Spice Carnival Red Tea’ to name a few.

The expansive space is designed to provide a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere for its guests. The interiors are decorated with warm colors that offer the perfect refuge for quiet business lunches or a place to relax while relishing the wide assortment of exquisite patisserie and the beverages.

The Shillong Baking Company is open daily from 9 am to 8 pm. Guests and locals can also place orders for custom cakes and other baked goods for special occasions.

Magnolia Bakery, known for whipping up delicious American-style desserts, launches its fourth location in Bengaluru and fifth in India.

The 1300 square feet store will be nestled inside the Forum Mall at Konanakunte in South Bangalore.

Since it first opened its doors on Bleecker Street in NYC’s West Village in 1996, the brand has been delighting patrons with its freshly made small-batch desserts including its world-famous banana pudding, cupcakes, cakes and cheesecakes.

First brought to India by Spago Foods in 2019, Magnolia Bakery has now expanded across Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The brand has its presence both domestically and globally with corporately-owned locations in New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles in the United States, and franchise locations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Amman, Doha, Manila, and Istanbul overseas.

“Having been established in Bengaluru for almost four years, Magnolia Bakery has become synonymous with the city's bakery scene. With increasing demand and improving our operational efficiency, we are expanding the store to reach a wider audience and making it convenient for our loyal customers to enjoy their favourite baked treats without having to travel far,” shared Zonu Reddy, Partner at Spago Foods, Magnolia Bakery India Franchise.

The new store has 25 tables where customers can indulge in an array of delicious baked treats like signature cupcakes, cakes, pies, cheesecakes, icebox desserts, cookies, and the famous banana pudding.

At present, Magnolia Bakery has locations in Bengaluru at J.K. Plaza, Indiranagar; RMZ Ecoworld, Sarjapur; and Phoenix Market City, Mahadevapura while at Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad.

Moonshine Food Ventures LLP (MFVL), the brainchild of food and beverage entrepreneur Vishal Anand, has forayed into the bakery, patisserie, savouries and desserts segment with the acquisition of Last Course Hospitality (LCH) owned by Chef Mitali Sahani and her partner Karan Sahani, who have been running their bakehouse Mr & Mitts (erstwhile known as The Bombaykery).

With this acquisition, MFVL further expands their portfolio into a new segment and endeavours to bring the best of premium bakery, artisanal breads, ornamental cakes and boulangerie to its patrons. 

“I am particularly excited to introduce Nush Mush to different parts of the country, our top-notch quality bakery and patisserie with the beautiful mix of French and American baking styles will offer something unique from the best of both worlds,” shared Anand.

MFVL is rebranding and inventing this bold, fun and elegant hipster brand to “Nush Mush”.

Nush Mush strongly believes in using seasonal, no preservatives, no frozen and honest ingredients amalgamating a perfect blend between art and science. With its signature collection of Cronuts, Kouign Amann, Bars, Patisserie and Savouries, Nush Mush is here to make a long-lasting impact on every sweet tooth surely.

MFVL plans to expand its wings in the retail segment not only in NCR but also aspires to extend its stores all across the country.

By the end of 2023 MFVL plans to open 8-10 retail outlets, bake-houses and stores in Malls, Premium High Street spots and Some flagship spaces. 

“Our vision is to touch 100 outlets in the next 5 years with expansion into some of the best entertainment & food hubs across the country,” he added.

This passion-driven F&B Company is constantly setting foot in new territories with its innovation, team culture and high aspirational approach. Increasing disposable incomes and urban lifestyle is helping the organized restaurant sector to grow at 10.5% CAGR. MFVL’s turnover stood at INR 25 cr in the year ending March 2022 and is all set to grow 2x by the end of FY 2022-23 and will double it by the year FY 2023-24.

With its expandable brands like Cafe Statywoke and Nush Mush, MFVL aspires to open 10 new outlets by the end of the next calendar year. The right mix of self-owned brands, franchise restaurants and consulting contracts, MFVL gravitates to be one of the most diversified F&B operators in the country.

Aditi Dugar of famous ingredient-driven restaurant Masque has opened a new bakery venture, TwentySeven Bakehouse.

Launched also in the same com+pound, the new bakery offers a rotating menu of breads, laminated pastries, and regional bakes.

Tucked away in an old cotton mill in Bombay, TwentySeven Bakehouse occupies a space that was once home to a melting pot of cultures from around the country. In that vein, the breads take inspiration from different pockets of the world, while remaining firmly rooted in India, using entirely local grains and produce.

The kitchen is headed by Chef Rachelle Andrade, previously of Qualia and Mag St. Kitchen.

Her opening menu features daily staples and whole loaves, as well as a variety of sweet and savoury viennoiseries: highlights include the impossibly flaky Bakehouse Tapenade & Cream Cheese Twists and a Goan Chorizo and Potato Tart.

Andrade’s attention to detail is clear in each layer of croissant and the airy crumb of her signature baguettes, doing away with frills in favour of quality, flavour and technique. Here, less is more – unless, of course, we’re talking about butter.

The bakery café is also available for online delivery and pickup via Thrive and Swiggy.

Bread & More has partnered with Frozen Fun, one of the finest artisanal gelaterias from Goa to bring its offering to Delhi.

Davide Passarella, a gourmet Italian dessert chef, is the creator of these iconic gelatos that are churned with love and fresh fruit, including with exotic ingredients imported directly from Italy.

Passarella, also known as Mr. Gelato, has been delighting not just Goans, but visitors from all over with his decadent and artisanal gelato creations, retailing from Cream Choc located in Anjuna, since 2013. Davides’ gelato creations are not just frozen desserts, but an emotion of its own, a quality that speaks for itself.

“We are elated to introduce Frozen Fun gelato to our customers. It's always exciting to bring in a variety of products to Bread & More. We trust Frozen Fun to be the best gelato in town.” shared Dhruv Lamba, Executive Director, Kwality Group.

Italia is present in every scoop of Frozen Fun. From the imported Italian ingredients, to adopting authentic gelato-making processes, right down to our Italian chef, Davide. Every spoonful of Frozen Fun is a taste of heavenly delight.

Owned by Kwality Group, Bread & More was started in the year 2000 and now operates I Delhi, Mumbai and Goa.

Delhi-based bakery café Dough & Cream has opened its 10th store in Vishnu Garden, Delhi after following the enormous success of previous stores.

Dough & Cream is accessible all throughout Delhi via their website, Zomato, and Swiggy.

In well-known Delhi neighbourhoods like Janakpuri, Moolchand, and Vikaspuri, among others, Dough & Cream has a number of locations.

This bakery cafe's customer is rapidly growing, and the company plans to open more locations soon.

"Since it had always been my favourite activity, I vigorously pursued my love when we got the chance to start the bakery café. We were welcomed so warmly by the people when we initially established our bakery café in Janakpuri. It served as a major source of inspiration for us as we built Dough & Cream into one of Delhi's best and most affordable bakery cafés. We recently established our tenth site, and we have plans to add more soon,” shared Director and CTO of Dough and Cream, Gaurav Kukreja.

Several delicacies, including blueberry cheesecake, mousse cake, and rasmalai cake, are among Dough and Cream specialties. With a classic selection of cold coffee, salads, pizza, pasta, momos, and many more dishes that are among the most popular, Dough and Cream assures to provide the most authentic flavour on the plate.

Manish Kukreja, Gaurav Kukreja, and Mayank Kukreja created Dough and Cream in 2018 with the intention of providing the most reasonably priced confectionary goods and the tastiest cuisines to satisfy consumers' cravings, which they successfully accomplished.

One of India’s leading homegrown artisan bakery The Baker’s Dozen has raised USD 5 million of funding including debt.

Marquee consumer VC fund, Fireside Ventures led the equity investment, marking its first presence in the D2C Baking & Confectionery space with TBD.

TBD will use this new influx of capital to further key product innovation, team building, brand marketing efforts, distribution expansion, and in upgrading the company’s tech play.

“We must understand that bakery goods are now more commonly consumed daily as opposed to simply being a treat, and TBD is as much of a millennial favorite as it is a mother’s trusted choice.  Artisan@scale is our ‘mantra’ and we are best known for putting the widest variety of 100% whole wheat, preservative-free sourdough breads on the Indian map,” shared Aditi Handa, Co-founder and Head Baker.

Part of the amount raised will further be utilized for capital expenditure and to increase production capacity to match the increasing product demand.

The investment will also help the brand strengthen its Indian presence by amplifying its reach in tier I and tier II cities, followed by an international expansion across the Middle-East and subsequently across Southeast Asian markets.

Prayag Mohanty, Principal, Fireside Ventures, who will also be joining The Bakers Dozen as a board member, said, “Our decision to invest in The Baker's Dozen (TBD), is backed by our fund thesis of looking for innovative white spaces within the overall D2C products space. TBD brings in the packaged version of artisanal bakery products which is addressing a huge market backed by technology innovations around processing and packaging at the backend.

TBD has grown 5x achieving sales of INR 30 Cr in 2021-22, fast becoming the preferred national bakery brand across e-commerce and Q-commerce marketplaces, servicing over 3 lakh orders month on month. It has grown very capital efficiently, being EBITDA positive the last two years. With the aim of marking 5x growth in the 18-24 months, the company is currently in the process of expanding their distribution footprint through more than 100 own stores and 1000 retail touchpoints across 25 cities in India.

TBD is also recognised as one of India’s first phygital retail bakery brands, providing unique interactive experiences for its customers by bridging the gap between a digital and physical world.

“TBD has been a bootstrapped business grown steadily and with a strong foundation. That strong base has helped our rapid growth over the last two years, and we felt that it was the right time for us to choose a partner who could not only help us scale our business via capital infusion, but also through mentorship and guidance. Having had the privilege of Kanwal as a mentor for us over the last few years, Fireside was undoubtedly our first choice to collaborate with, given their background in scaling consumer brands and that they were already TBD customers,” pointed Sneh Jain, Co-Founder and Managing Director, The Baker’s Dozen.

The Indian bakery market stood at a value of nearly USD 7.6 billion in 2020. Market research suggests that it is further estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.5% between 2021 and 2026 to reach a value of USD 12.4 billion by 2026.

Entering its 10th year of existence, Love & Cheesecake, Mumbai’s beloved destination for all things dessert and confectionery, opens its doors in New Delhi’s Defence Colony.

With 17 outlets in Mumbai, and with its first outpost in New Delhi, Love & Cheesecake sets out on a pan-India expansion plan within the National capital, with plans to triple that number within 6 months.

Nestled amid the bustle of Defence Colony Main Market, the newly opened cafe is a breath of fresh air amongst other cafes in the area.

What sets them apart is that the establishment offers 56 flavors of cheesecakes, like none other, using fresh, seasonal, and sometimes unusual ingredients such as goat cheese.

“We’re thrilled to bring our labour of love to New Delhi. When Love & Cheesecake was born in 2012, little did we know that we would be marking our presence in Delhi, with the 18th outlet for the brand, in all under 10 years,” shared Ruchyeta Bhatia, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Love & Cheesecake.

With a minimalist chic interior, and a diverse menu of sweet and savoury items to match, Love & Cheesecake is helmed by co-founders Ruchyeta Bhatia and Chef Amit Sharma.

Artisan Indian bakery brand The Baker’s Dozen is launching India’s first ‘The House of Sourdough’ in Bengaluru.

Exclusively conceptualized by Aditi Handa, the place will showcase the largest range of scrumptious sourdough loaves in the country, this concept will double as a sourdough knowledge library, flagship store and baking experience by The Baker’s Dozen (TBD) to serve the residents of Bengaluru.

“We have been planning ‘The House of Sourdough’ for quite a long time and while being well aware of Bengaluru’s taste palette and its zest for lip-smacking yet functional food, this seemed to be the perfect place to begin with,” shared Handa.

Living by the philosophy that bread is their God, each baker at TBD celebrates the subtle fermentation of dough that creates magic. Consistently boosting the popularity of the humble Indian sourdough, Aditi Handa and Sneh Jain, with their brand The Baker’s Dozen, have created a permanent place in customer’s heart for their artisan bakes, and especially for their versatile, preservative free and uniquely local sourdough loaves.

Located in ‘Koramangala’ one of the most favourite spots in the city, the place is designed to serve as a platform for an unique initiative, 'Friends of TBD' - which will celebrate the city’s love for startups by showcasing their products at the store.

“The launch of ‘The House of Sourdough’ in Bengaluru is extremely special to our hearts, especially since the ethos of our brand perfectly marries the ethos of the city. We

seek to introduce a location for Bangaloreans where they can enjoy a treat while having a warm conversation as well as a place to learn about artisan products and be inspired to start their own journey like Aditi and I did in 2013,” added Jain.

The House of Sourdough will have an interactive wall where visitors can get a wonderful sensory experience of selecting hand-picked ingredients, observing mixing and shaping of the dough, the process of baking and finally tasting the delicious loaves with various accompaniments.

From working at some of the prominent restaurants globally, to setting a benchmark with her food and cuisine at Together at 12^th, Chef Vanshika Bhatia is head and shoulders above many peers in the culinary arts.

After co-founding Together at 12th, Le Meridien, Gurugram, Chef Vanshika is now expanding her ‘chef-preneurship’ culinary empire by tugging at our heart strings with Petite Pie Shop, launched 19th August, 2021 at Worldmark, Sector-65, Gurugram.

The Petite Pie Shop is just that: a cosy spot defined by its laid-back, Parisienne elegance. At The Petite Pie Shop, you can also savour other eternal classics, like French Onion Soup, and croissant sandwiches, apart from other delicacies.  

Whether you’re looking for a quick snack, or a fuss-free power lunch option, Petite Pie Shop has something for all taste buds. You can even ‘make your own pie’ if you’re feeling creative!

With its harlequin flooring and marzipan pistachio-green coloured walls, the bistro space looks like it tumbled out of a fantastical story book.

Casual dining chain Café Delhi Heights enters into a new segment by launching Bakehouse Comfort.

The café is set to open at Cyber Park Gurgaon, but is ready to entice its audience from its Comfort space designed within Café Delhi Heights at DLF Avenue Saket as its debut. 

“Cafe Delhi Heights is a value-driven concept and has a distinct mix of nostalgia and history attached to it. With the idea of building up a place where one can build great memories full of fun, Cafe Delhi Heights is a gastronomic representation of what a typical Delhiite would like to gorge on,” said Vikrant Batra, Founder, Café Delhi Heights. 

Coming up with its own Comfort Bakery, the brand is surely - All you’ll knead in your life. With a loaf to love here, Bakehouse Comfort offers a festival of flavours, goodies for the foodies and strictly allows Food Vibes Only!

The menu includes some of customers favorite breads & desserts from around the world; right from freshly baked breadbaskets to cakes, pastries and cookies that are made from scratch - the offerings are a testament to traditional recipes married with modern additions, like Brownies with Baileys and Biscoff Cheesecakes to name a few.

The House of Karachi Bakery has opened 45^th Avenue in Hyderabad – a European epicurean Eden for the food bon vivant.

The restaurant is spread in uber-chic, continental avatar, and indulge the taste buds with world-class sweet treats, handcrafted french pastries and savories,  Mediterranean delicacy – Baklava, along with classic Indian fusion desserts and cookies to name a few.

Also Read: Restaurants Unlock 2020

The sprawling new space hosts live-baking counters, traditionally handcrafted french desserts and drool-worthy sweet and savory treats from around the globe.

The restaurant also has a range of keto dessert options too.

45^th Avenue offers a range of gluten-free breads and savories.The traditional Karachi Bakery signature fruit biscuits, cashew and Osmania biscuits are now also available in Vegan variants, alongside beautiful tin packs for gifting too.

Known as one of the premier sellers of the double-decker macaron, French sweet and bakery chain Laduree is entering India by next year.

The group has signed master franchisee deal with Noida-based CK Israni Group.

Laduree will be opening in Delhi by March-April 2021, followed by Mumbai and other parts of the country.

Started by Louis Ernest Ladurée in 1862, Laduree is running over 40 restaurants and tea rooms and 107 stores in 21 countries including the US, the UK, Japan, UAE, Canada to name a few.

According the media statements, the outlet was scheduled to open this year but coronavirus pandemic has pushed plans until next year.

The group is aiming at opening 15-20 Laduree branded bakery and restaurants in various cities in the next five years.

Homegrown artisan bakery The Baker’s Dozen plans to invest over INR 30 million to rapidly expand its geographic footprint to 50 stores across 15 cities by 2021.

The brand has seen unprecedented growth during the pandemic and plans to grow sales to INR 30 crore and employee strength to 200 over the course of next year.

The plan of expansion also foresees a successful entry into the D2C market and redevelopment of their e-commerce platform before Diwali 2020.

“With the constant support and hard work of our extremely talented team, even in the midst of a pandemic, I am happy to announce our efforts to make The Baker’s Dozen India’s first choice in artisan bakery products nationally,” said Sneh Jain, Co-Founder and Managing Director, The Baker’s Dozen.

Having built a national following across Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Delhi-NCR, Ahmedabad, Surat and Baroda, TBD plans to first strengthen the company’s current reach in these seven major cities followed by aggressive expansion across major metros andTier-1 cities such as Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Goa, Kochi, Jaipur, Chandigarh and Lucknow.

“We have grown by 300% in the last 6 months and are now aggressively pressing the pedal on our transformation from a B2C to a D2C brand. The demand for home deliveries and products has increased exponentially and we have also initiated bulk deliveries all across Mumbai,” he added.

The brand’s product range covers a wide range of artisan breads, tea-time cakes, handmade cookies and healthy snacks. They are also currently working on expanding their existing product line by adding need-based + ready-to-use bakery range.

“Our continued focus on healthy hygienic products has helped make our brand as the first choice across major cities in India, as we are committed to provide the best quality bakes to our customers whilst upholding safety and hygiene as our topmost priority,” added AditiHanda, Co-Founder, and Head Baker.

According to the report by IMARC Group, “Indian Bakery Market: Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2020-2025”, the market value is projected to reach a value of US$13.3 billion by 2025, expanding at a CAGR of 9.1% during 2020-2025. Now, the organic and natural bakery products, due to their high nutrient value and affordability, have become an item of huge consumption which has led to a strong demand for bakery products in India.

L'Opéra, the Award-winning and Delhi's finest French Pâtisserie, Boulangerie and Salon de Thé (Tea Room), officially launched yet another Salon de Thé in Delhi at GK2, M Block Market on Saturday. To celebrate the occasion, the Samandari family (the Founding family) organised a High Tea for over 100 guests that included Ambassadors and High Commissioners, personalities from the world of business, arts and fashion, socialites, patrons and respected members of the media. 

To mark the event, Kazem Samandari, Executive Chairman formally addressed the gathering and thanked everyone for the support. "Though we started very small, we now have 16 outlets in total and plan to open many more in the future. It's been a wonderful journey so far and I would like to thank each one of you for trusting us and being by our side," he said during the event.

The brand also rolled out the red carpet to welcome the honoured guests and bite-sized savouries and mini desserts were served along with juices and hot and cold beverages but what captured everyone's attention was a stunning display of colourful macarons right at the entrance.

Located at the heart of the market and spread over 1300sq. ft, it is an inviting space that accommodates up to 42 guests and overlooks an expansive park that adds to its beauty. Featuring Louis XVI style furniture created in wood and marble tables adoring white and pink carnations, large glass façades facing the busy sidewalk and the soothing strains of French music playing in the background, the outlet instantly transports you back to Paris. For those who like their privacy, there is a private area fitted with elegant wood panels with beautiful photographs adorning the walls all around that make the space even brighter and cheerful.
"The Salon de Thé at GK2 is a combination of casual bistro-style and modern yet classic elements in order to give an authentic French experience to our customers," says Laurent Samandari, co-founder and Managing Director of L'Opéra. "More than anything else, this is an immersion in a French atmosphere where you can enjoy your favourite L'Opéra delights," he adds.

Enter the outlet and one is greeted by the signature aroma of the freshly baked croissants, artisanal bread and a whole range of delectable French specialities wafting through the air. From the classic French quick bites such as Croque Monsieur (made with in-house bread and filled with béchamel sauce, ham and cheese), Vol au Vent, Onion and Tomato Tarts with goat cheese to Pumpkin and Coconut milk soup, signature pastries and macarons, the eclectic menu caters to a diverse range of food palate that is reasonably priced with an excellent value proposition. Also on offer is an array of refreshing summer drinks and selection of juices, freshly brewed coffee, teas that one can leisurely sip on while soaking in the surroundings.

An all-day dining destination, it also offers a gourmet all-day breakfast menu that features classic French breakfast options such as French toast with organic honey, eggs and croissants to name a few. For the health-conscious, there is a wide range of fresh and seasonal salads, organic granola served with yoghurt and choice of milk and heart-warming vegan soups that are wholesome and make for a delicious substitute. 

Brea, a brand that is known to offer bread and freshly-baked products to the consumers, has launched at Kempegowda International Airport (KIAL), expanding its footprint.

The brand will retail its authentic Bangalore cookies at this outlet, which come in eight flavours. It offers butter, green chilli curry leaves, classic Khara,  ginger jaggery, butter salted and cashew almond variants, which are the regional range, and double chocolate and choco chip variants, which fall in the gourmet range of cookies.

The company was started by Dianath and Mothasim Arshad in 2014 under the parent company, Renowned Foods. It aims to take the consumers back to their roots with authentic baking and introduce them to the concept of healthy baking.

Currently, the brand has 200 outlets. It is planning to 500 outlets by the end of 2020.

Mumbai-based bakery, Monginis Food has announced its return into the Southern India bakery market after a hiatus of almost 20 years and plans to foray into Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Bengaluru in the next couple of years, informed a senior company official.

The company has revived one of its old plants in Hyderabad for this venture and plans to set up a new factory in Andhra Pradesh by 2018 and is in advance stage of discussions.

Ashok Nair, chief operating officer, Monginis Food, said, "We have revived our old factory in Hyderabad, the only one in South till now, which was established nearly 15-20 years back but was shut down as the franchise market had not developed in the city at that time. However, the model has matured now and we have re-entered the market by reviving the factory at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore that will cater to the 100 stores opening up in Telangana."

The company, with a turnover of Rs 700 crore, has 16 factories, largely in West and North, and will be opening two more at Patna and Delhi by April at an investment of Rs 25 crores each to be met through internal accruals. Earlier this year, it opened two more factories at Bhubaneshwar and Raipur.

Harvest Gold Industries Ltd., Delhi-based baker, is in advanced talks with private equity firms and strategic investors to raise around US $50-60 million funding. According to a source close to the development, the company has been discussing about the funding round with many firms including Modern brand, which is owned by Everstone Capital-backed Nimman Foods Pvt Ltd. and if all goes by the plan, it will be conducting its funding round soon.

A person familiar with the development stated that the bread and bakery firm is looking to raise somewhere between US $50-60 million from investors in lieu of an equity stake. However, spokesperson of Everstone Capital declined to comment on the development and on the other hand, Harvest Gold’s spokesperson said that investors are approaching Harvest Gold since last several years. But nothing has materialised yet.

Everstone sealed a deal to acquire the bread and bakery business of Hindustan Unilever (HUL) under the brand name ‘Modern’ last year. The size of the deal was not disclosed, but Modern’s revenue was around Rs250 crore.

The deal was completed in April this year. HUL had acquired a stake of 74 per cent in Modern Foods in January 2000 when the government sold its holding. Two years later, it bought the remaining stake.

Pune-based market research company ValueNotes, which provides strategic and competitive intelligence, said in a report that the bread industry in India, valued at Rs33bn (USD 0.53 bn) in FY 2015, grew at a CAGR of 9 per cent over the last three years. The industry will be worth approximately Rs 53 bn (USD 0.86bn) by FY 2020, growing at a CAGR of 10 per cent”.

Cupcake Factory has recently forayed into the financial capital of India and launched its flagship store in Bandra. Incepted in 2015, the company focuses on making high quality and mouthwatering cupcakes and delivers it to the customers’ door step.

In order to maintain products’ freshness and high quality, brand sources its ingredients from selected suppliers. The Bandra store is themed like a factory and is equipped with rich interiors that blend perfectly with its delicacies.

Speaking on the occasion, Rita Sujan, Proprietor, The Cupcake Factory, said, “Cupcake Factory has been a passion project. It is the culmination of decades-long love for baking. What started as a humble hobby of baking with family recipes, grew rapidly as we traveled the world over and picked up the latest in technology and methodology. It has made Cupcake Factory a modern yet authentic brand that remains committed to delivering the best. We are strongly environmentally-friendly and it reflects in all our practices and materials used. Our first flagship store in Bandra is sure to be the first of many.”

Introduced for the first-time in India, the Super Veg Vanilla Cake Mix by Pristine is company’s idea to take artisanal baking to the next level. Company claims that these easy to make mixes can assist the bakers to produce some of the exquisite designs and products with no trouble. These mixes are already getting popular among many patisseries that excel in making traditional cakes, wedding cakes, birthday cakes etc. company claims further.

Apart from exquisite varieties of cakes, the Veg Cake Mixes also can be used for making trendy layer cakes, Swiss rolls, snack cakes and many others. “We formulate & customize products to suit specific applications and which delight the Indian taste buds,” says Maloy Chakravorthy, GM,and Sales& Marketing.

Located in Mumbai, Pristine-The Bakery Specialist operates from its manufacturing unit at IFPL(Indagro Foods Pvt Ltd), Kalwa Factory. Indagro Foods Pvt Ltd is a part of the Allana group of companies. The Group has over 30 years of international experience in the bakery industry with presence in more than 60 countries. “We used to import this product until now, but with the same technology and the same high quality ingredients, we have started manufacturing in India for the domestic market,” adds Chakravorthy.

At present, FAPL and IFPL cater to the needs of end consumers and industries through a strong presence across food categories such as edible oils & fats, premium ice creams & Bakery ingredients. FAPL‘s strong R&D foundation and experience over three decades in the oils & fats business across the world helps it to deliver products which are of high quality.