Bikaji Foods International Ltd has partnered with bakery industry expert Thayekunni Khaleel to accelerate the growth of its subsidiary, Bikaji Bakes Private Limited (BBPL). As part of the partnership, Bikaji Foods has transferred a 30% stake in BBPL to Khale, while retaining a 70% majority stake and control of the subsidiary.
The partnership will focus on strengthening Bikaji’s presence in India’s growing bakery and packaged foods market. Khaleel will bring his technical knowledge and international bakery experience, while Bikaji will contribute its strong distribution network, retail presence, and understanding of Indian consumers.
Khaleel, founder of bakery brand Bakemart, has more than four decades of experience in the bakery and confectionery industry. Bikaji had earlier announced a joint venture with Khaleel to expand its bakery and frozen foods business in India through Bikaji Bakes.
Deepak Agarwal, Chairman and Managing Director, Bikaji Foods International Limited, said, “Bakery is a category with significant headroom for growth in India, and we believe the next phase of that growth will be driven by a combination of world-class technical capabilities and a deep understanding of the Indian consumer. Our partnership with Mr Thayekunni Khaleel brings together his exceptional technical expertise and global bakery experience with Bikaji’s strengths in distribution, sales, retail, and consumer understanding. We see this as a partnership built for the future. By combining these complementary capabilities, we aim to bring global bakery practices and innovation to India while building a strong, scalable, and differentiated bakery business through Bikaji Bakes. We are confident that this collaboration will create meaningful opportunities for the business and strengthen our position in the evolving Indian bakery landscape.”
