The company’s India team is led by Executive Chairman Sanjiv Mehta (former chairman & CEO of Hindustan Unilever) along with Growth Stage Investor, Anjana Sasidharan and Head of India at L Catterton, Vikram Kumaraswamy. Over the past 14 months, the firm has steadily built a focused investment portfolio centered on packaged and better-for-you food brands.

Betting Big on Haldiram’s

The company’s investment strategy reflects this conviction, with a focus on businesses that are well positioned to capitalize on changing consumer preferences. This is clear in the recent double deals of investment – the first with Haldiram’s, the famous Indian multinational fast-food restaurant chain and the second being Farmley, healthy snacking brand, best known for its makhanas and dry-fruit products.

Haldiram’s outlets already anchor food courts in malls across Delhi-NCR, Gurgaon, and Noida, including marquee properties like Ambience Mall and DLF Cyber Hub, but what truly sets the F&B and FMCG giant apart from typical packaged-foods companies is that it isn’t just a manufacturer feeding supermarket shelves. It’s also a retail landlord’s dream tenant.

Beyond its sprawling distribution network, Haldiram’s runs its own restaurants and retail outlets in three distinct formats

• – Tiny grab-and-go kiosks tucked into mall food courts and metro stations
• – Mid-sized quick-service counters
• – Full sit-down dining halls for families

What’s noteworthy is that Haldiram’s is also accelerating its expansion plans, with a strategic focus on central and southern India. In a move to speed up its presence in smaller, non-metro markets, it is introducing city-wise franchising for the first time, enabling faster and more localized growth. In other words, Haldiram’s plays two roles at once: a packaged-food brand fighting for shelf space, and an F&B anchor fighting for prime mall real estate.

This dual identity is exactly what makes L Catterton’s capital – paired with Sanjiv Mehta’s decades of FMCG scaling experience – potentially so consequential for how fast the expansion happens.

The Farmley Thesis

Farmley represents another key pillar of L Catterton’s investment thesis. The Noida-based healthy snacking brand, known for its makhana, nuts, and dry-fruit offerings, secured a Series C funding round led by the private equity firm in mid-2025.

While digital channels continue to fuel growth, Farmley’s strategy is increasingly centered on strengthening its offline presence. The fresh capital will be used to expand shelf space across general trade and modern retail, building on the brand’s strong foothold in large-format retail chains, particularly in South India.

The move underscores a broader shift in India’s healthy snacking market, where brands that once relied heavily on e-commerce and quick commerce are now competing for premium in-store visibility alongside established FMCG players.

More importantly for India’s food retail sector, L Catterton’s moves signal that global private capital. India’s snacking market is rapidly evolving from indulgence-driven, commodity products to branded, health-focused, and premium offerings, creating a significant opportunity for early investors.

Beyond investing in brands, the private equity firm is also backing the retail ecosystems that support their growth, recognizing that physical retail remains a critical driver of brand visibility, consumer engagement, and market expansion.

With India’s healthy snacking market projected to reach nearly $8.5 billion by 2031, growing at an annual rate of ~14%, the sector is poised for sustained investment and consolidation.

As L Catterton deploys the remaining capital from its first India fund over the next 18 months, competition is expected to intensify – not only for category leadership but also for valuable shelf space across modern retail, supermarkets, and other offline channels.

The post Capital Meets Consumption: L Catterton’s Big Bet on India’s Snacking Market appeared first on Business of Food.

The event was graced by several dignitaries, including His Excellency Fırat Sunel, Turkish Ambassador, Hasan Osman Sabır, Chairman, Black Sea Hazelnut and Hazelnut Products Exporters Association, and Gunjan Jain, President, Nuts and Dry Fruits Council of India (NDFCI).

This collaboration represents a significant milestone for both Turkish Hazelnuts and the Indian nuts and dry fruits market. The primary aim is to introduce Turkish Hazelnuts as a nutritious and versatile ingredient, as well as a healthy snack, into a variety of culinary creations across India.

Türkiye, which produces 65% of the world’s hazelnuts, has a rich heritage in hazelnut cultivation. This success is attributed to traditional methods and techniques that preserve the flavor and nutritional value of the nuts. The hazelnut processing facilities in Türkiye ensure high quality, meeting the strictest international food safety standards, and delivering the finest product globally.

During the launch, Turkish Ambassador Fırat Sunel said, “The launch of Turkish Hazelnuts in the Indian market marks a significant milestone in the partnership between Türkiye and India. Our hazelnuts are not only a testament to Türkiye’s rich agricultural heritage but also to our commitment to quality and tradition. This initiative highlights the strengthening bilateral relations and opens exciting opportunities for further collaboration in the food and culinary sectors.”

Gunjan Jain, President, Nuts and Dry Fruits Council of India (NDFCI), expressed his gratitude, stating, “We are excited to partner with Turkish Hazelnut Exporters Associations for the launch of Turkish Hazelnuts in India. The demand for premium nuts is on the rise, and these miracle nuts are poised to meet this demand. The addition of these high-quality nuts will not only diversify the range of nuts available to consumers but also significantly boost the Indian economy.” He further added, “Our commitment is to bring the finest quality nuts and dry fruits to the Indian market. Their rich nutritional profile and versatility as a key ingredient in various culinary dishes will undoubtedly enhance the culinary landscape in India.”

Incorporating Turkish Hazelnuts into daily diets will provide Indian consumers with a healthy snack that supports overall well-being and contributes to a balanced, health-conscious lifestyle. Consuming only 25-30 grams of these hazelnuts per day provides 100% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamin E. They also offer numerous other health benefits, including boosting energy, nourishing skin, supporting bone and heart health, and being rich in vitamins and minerals.

The post Turkish Hazelnut Exporters Unveil ‘Miracle Nut’ in India appeared first on Business of Food.

These healthy baked crunchies are lightweight, gluten-free with a low-glycaemic index. They are also available in sugar-free, and preservative-free options, made from wholesome ingredients like Millets, Bajra flour, Jowar flour, and Wheat flour. Th product is available in four flavourful  options such as Gazab Garlic, Hotshot Chilli, Mad Masala, and Masoor Methi, catering to different taste preferences of the consumers.

 The Millet Crunchies are available in 80 gm and 200 gm pack, and is rich in proteins, dietary fibre, and essential minerals such as iron and magnesium.  The product is available for purchase online through www.goodveda.com.

The post Goodveda Unveils ‘Milletious’ Range of Healthy Snacks appeared first on Business of Food.

Speaking about the latest milestone, Gaurav Manchanda, Founder, Nimida Group and MD, WellBe Foods, said, “FY 2023-24 has been a deeply fulfilling year for WellBe Foods. Hitting the 1000-store mark is no mean feat! What inspires us the most though is the abundant consumer love that WellBe products have garnered across markets. Whether it’s health-conscious professionals or millennial moms, Indian consumers today demand healthy snacks made from wholesome ingredients, sans chemically refined oils and artificial colours. They are reading food labels before making informed choices that align with their health goals. At Nimida Group, we are excited to continue this positive momentum and offer Deliciously Good, Honestly Made food with No Nasties Ever!”

WellBe Foods specializes in healthier versions of traditional Indian snacks such as kodbale, ribbon pakoda, murukku, khara chakli, cornflakes mixture, and khara sev. The brand uses all-natural ingredients like red rice flour, rice bran oil, and flaxseeds, while completely avoiding maida (refined wheat flour). In line with the WellBe Promise of No Nasties, all WellBe products are 100% free from chemically- refined oils, artificial colours, artificial flavours, artificial sweeteners, synthetic antioxidants, synthetic preservatives, and high fructose syrups.

WellBe Foods’ products are available at retail stores as well as online at www.theorganicworld.com and www.wellbefoods.com.  In addition to it, the brand has a presence in major e-commerce platforms like Big Basket, Amazon, and Flipkart.

The post WellBe Foods Reaches 1000-Store Milestone in FY 2023-24 appeared first on Business of Food.

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