Rebel Foods Acquires Franchise Rights for Wendy's in India

Internet restaurants operator Rebel Foods on Tuesday announced that the brand has got an exclusive franchise rights for Wendy’s offline business in India.

The move marks an end to the chain’s erstwhile partnership with Sierra Nevada that held rights to expand the chain’s offline presence in the country.

Earlier in 2020, Rebel Foods acquired the licence to exclusively develop Wendy’s cloud kitchens in India with a commitment to open approximately 250 delivery kitchens across in next 10 year.

“In this expanded, new franchise commitment, Rebel will help the brand grow its restaurant model in India with digital expertise in delivery, automation, and innovation," shared a company statement by Rebel Foods.

Rebel Foods will now completely manage and operate the brand’s traditional restaurants across India and also develop approximately 150 outlets over the next decade.

As part of the earlier 2020 agreement, Sierra Nevada, that has interests in the restaurant business, was mandated to operate 150 Wendy’s brick-and-mortar restaurants. The business has now been sold to Rebel Foods. “We sold our Wendy’s restaurants to Rebel and are very happy with the deal," said Jasper Reid, MD, Sierra Nevada.

Currently, Wendy’s is present in 19 cities across India with approximately 90 locations, which includes three traditional Wendy’s restaurants in India which Rebel Foods is operating.

“India is a strategic and high-growth potential market for the burger chain. We are thrilled that Rebel Foods is expanding its franchise commitment to accelerate Wendy’s footprint across the country with a mix of traditional restaurant expansion and digital innovation via cloud kitchens,” added Abigail Pringle, president, International & Chief Development Officer, The Wendy’s Company.

“Burgers will continue to be the big bite of 2023, and a big part of the food missions we achieve and own. With this collaboration, not only will Rebel Foods continue to retain our position as the world’s largest internet restaurant company, but we will also be the only cloud kitchen player in India to scale a large global QSR brand through the development of traditional restaurants and cloud kitchens in a super-fast and Capex-light manner, driven by technology and unique business model," pointed Sagar Kochhar, Co-founder, Rebel Foods.

Rebel Foods operates food brands such as Faasos, Behrouz Biryani, Ovenstory Pizza, Mandarin Oak, The Good Bowl, Slay Coffee via 450 kitchens in over 70 cities.