Commenting on the launch, Sunil Munshi, Senior Vice President – Retail, Brigade Group, said, “The upcoming launch of PAUL at Orion Gateway Mall, furthers our commitment to delivering globally inspired experiences crafted with innovation and care. At Brigade, we continually strive to curate a retail landscape that blends international excellence with local appeal, ensuring our patrons experience the thrill of shopping, dining, and engagement with some of the most prestigious global names. With PAUL, we are bringing an iconic French culinary tradition to Bengaluru, offering not just gourmet delicacies but an immersive, high-quality experience that reflects our commitment to variety, innovation, and global exposure. We are confident that PAUL will quickly become a favorite among Bengaluru’s discerning diners, adding to the vibrant mix of brands that make Orion Gateway a premier lifestyle destination.”

Vaibhav Kaushish, Chief Operating Officer, PAUL India, said, “Opening our first outlet in Bengaluru at Orion Mall is a significant milestone in PAUL’s India journey. We remain committed to using only the finest ingredients, free from palm oil, artificial colors, and additives. Guided by our philosophy of ‘Eat Well, Live Well,’ we champion wellness, sustainability, and mindful indulgence. Bringing this ethos to life are our core offerings and cherished French imports that define the brand’s authentic appeal, such as hot chocolate, pain au chocolat, viennoiseries, and croissants. We look forward to sharing the joy of genuine French culinary artistry with Bengaluru—one croissant at a time.”

With its legacy of authenticity, tradition, and craftsmanship, PAUL promises to be a must-visit destination for Bengaluru’s food connoisseurs, offering an exquisite taste of France right in the heart of the city of Bengaluru.

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About the Brand

The Chocolate Room started its brand journey in the year 2007. From the very beginning, the brand has shown continuous innovation in the chocolate cafe segment. TCR follows a franchise model to scale the brand pan-India. Today they have crossed more than 300 + chocolate cafes and spreading more cafes across the globe. 

The main branches are located in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai. The brand has an average national monthly revenue of over INR 8 cr per month. 

Brand’s USP

The brand’s USP is its chocolate desserts and chocolate hot beverages namely Hot Chocolate. The Chocolate Room is a one-stop solution for all chocolate needs. The brand’s big strength is its customers. They have positioned themselves in the Indian market as a chocolate cafe since 2007. For the last 15 + years the brand has been gaining trust from 4 regions customers of the country. 

The brand takes pride in curating an exceptional team of skilled chocolatiers who are dedicated to achieving culinary excellence. These chocolatiers, driven by a passion for their craft, meticulously craft a range of exquisite delicacies that showcase not only their expertise but also a commitment to delivering an unparalleled chocolate experience. 

From artisanal chocolates to indulgent desserts, each creation is a testament to the skill and artistry of the culinary team. Through continuous innovation and a pursuit of perfection, the chocolatiers elevate the chocolate-savoring experience, ensuring that every bite is a symphony of flavors and textures that captivates the senses.

Brand’s Vision

The brand aspires to secure a coveted position among the top chocolate-serving cafes. TCR has a clear and compelling vision that revolves around delivering excellence in both product quality and the immersive experience offered by its chocolate cafes, which stand as foundational pillars for its success.

Drawing insights from the observation of the local audience, TCR is committed to continuous innovation and development of new products finely tuned to the discerning preferences of the local palate, ensuring a dynamic and tailored approach to meet the unique tastes of the community they serve.

Future Plans

The brand envisions reaching a milestone of 500+ chocolate cafes, strategically extending its footprint to smaller cities across India. The brands aim to raise public funds and thus open more cafes in regional cities of the country. This expansion plan is not limited to merely serving delectable chocolates; rather, it encompasses a comprehensive offering that includes an array of chocolate-related beverages, desserts, and a curated selection of Western food items. It reflects the brand’s commitment to bringing exceptional chocolate experiences to a broader audience, enriching the culinary landscape in smaller cities with a diverse and enticing menu.

The post Brand Profile: The Chocolate Room brings unique chocolate cafes to India appeared first on Business of Food.

Little Italy offers a delicious menu of pizzas, pasta, and much more, and is known for its authentic Italian cuisine. As a brand, Little Italy continues to expand its reach and bring new flavors to diners across the globe.

Brand’s Journey So Far

Back in 1989, when Italian cuisine was a novel concept in India, Raj Mehta, a young visionary, saw a gap in the market and brought the flavors of Italy to the Indian market. This culinary adventure marked the birth of ‘Little Italy’ in India, where traditional Italian recipes were crafted, introducing Indians to a world of delectable pizzas, pasta, and risotto.

Little Italy established a remarkable presence in over 37 locations across major cities like Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Jaipur, and Delhi. The brand’s culinary excellence and warm hospitality made it a go-to destination for Italian food enthusiasts across India.

Brand’s USP

Little Italy stands out for its authentic Italian cuisine in India. The brand produces all its pasta, cheese, sauces, and breads at its in-house factory, maintaining its quality and affordability. It brings a flavorful dining experience combined with outstanding hospitality.

Innovative culinary experience

The brand focuses on its approach to continuously creating new dining experiences for its patrons. The food service brand offers an extensive menu comprising classic dishes and innovative contemporary dishes with regional specialties. Additionally, Little Italy also provides a vegan and guilt-free menu for their health-conscious diners, ensuring a memorable dining experience for our customers. 

New Initiatives

The brand has introduced two new delivery brands- Piazza and Tutto Benne. Piazza, the superfast Italian brand, is dedicated to delivering gourmet Italian food in a quick, cost-effective, and convenient way. The brand utilizes fresh and high-quality ingredients and specializes in the Roman style of pizza known as Pinsa Romana. Piazza offers pizza by the slice to its patrons and they have the option to customize their pizzas by selecting their preferred toppings. Piazza currently serves in 15+ locations across 6 cities.

Tutto Bene blends health-conscious dining with indulgence, offering a diverse menu that includes vegan, gluten-free, and keto options alongside a variety of specialty coffees and decadent desserts. Tutto Bene caters to all palates seeking a nutritious and indulgent meal. The brand currently serves in Bengaluru, Pune, Udaipur, and Chennai.

Entering into FMCG 

Little Italy introduced Acasa, its gourmet grocery FMCG vertical, aimed at providing Indian consumers with easily accessible, and  high-quality gourmet products for cooking gourmet meals at home. 

The brand curates a range of ingredients, sauces, and condiments, elevating home-cooked meals to gourmet standards. To support Acasa, Little Italy established a state-of-the-art factory ensuring that its gourmet offerings are readily available in all the stores pan-India.

Future Plans

Little Italy envisions a dual strategy for the future:

Firstly, it intends to continuously innovate its menu by introducing exciting new offerings that remain true to its Italian heritage while expanding a broader customer base. The expansion plan involves extending its presence to various cities across the country and overseas in the UAE and UK. 

Secondly, they have introduced several brands under the Little Italy umbrella, catering to various market segments such as QSR, cafes, and FMCG. They aim to grow these brands simultaneously.

Conclusion Over the past 35 years, Little Italy has been committed to authenticity, quality, and innovation to achieve Italian culinary excellence. The brand takes its customers to the heart of Italy with every bite, making it the top choice for Italian food enthusiasts.

STORE HIGHLIGHTS
Retailer/ Brand Name: Little Italy
Parent Company: Little Italy Express Foods Private Limited
Company Headquarters: Pune
Launch Year: 1989
Key Executive: Amrut Mehta
Retail Format: QSR

KEY SPECS
Target Customer Base: Affluent families, Higher middle-class households, Millennial and Genz, and Working professionals in metros.
Unique Offerings By Acasa: Fresh Pasta range, Signature Sauces, Truffle products, and Artisan cheeses
Options for Take-out, Delivery, or Catering Services: All are available

PERTINENT NUMBERS
Retail Outlets currently: 75 outlets
Average Sales per Day/Week/Month: 30L
Employee Base: 50-100 employees

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