The announcement follows CocoCart’s recent India launch of Venchi, the iconic Italian chocolate and gelato brand founded in Turin in 1878. With this next phase, CocoCart is expanding its offering beyond premium chocolate retail into experience-led gourmet destinations across chocolate, artisanal gelato, luxury gifting, premium cafés and European-style bakery café formats.

Speaking on the announcement, Karan Ahuja, Co-Founder, CocoCart said, “At CocoCart, our vision has always been to bring the world’s most loved chocolate and gourmet experiences closer to Indian consumers. With Venchi, Neuhaus, Café Bateel and Le Pain Quotidien, we are creating a portfolio that speaks to how India now consumes premium F&B, not just as a product, but as an experience. Consumers today are looking for quality, provenance, discovery and moments that feel special, whether it is a chocolate gift, a gelato outing, a café meeting or an everyday indulgence.”

Venchi will bring its Italian chocolate and gelato experience to India through boutiques, kiosks and shop-in-shop formats. Known for its chocolate-making legacy since 1878, Venchi combines Italian craftsmanship, premium ingredients and a distinctive retail experience that appeals to consumers looking for indulgence with heritage. Neuhaus, founded in Belgium in 1857, will add a luxury chocolate and gifting dimension to CocoCart’s India portfolio. The brand is expected to cater to India’s growing appetite for refined chocolate gifting, premium celebrations, corporate gifting and special occasion-led consumption.

Café Bateel will bring a premium gourmet café experience rooted in the Middle East’s date culture and luxury hospitality sensibility. Planned across flagship café and boutique formats, the brand will add a new layer to India’s premium café landscape. Le Pain Quotidien, founded in Belgium in 1990, will introduce its European bakery and café format to Indian consumers through flagship café and kiosk formats. The brand is known globally for its warm
café experience, artisanal food culture and community-led dining approach.

For the F&B and hospitality industry, CocoCart’s expansion signals a larger shift in how premium dining, gifting and gourmet retail are converging in India. Consumers are no longer looking at chocolate, desserts or cafés as standalone categories. Increasingly, they are seeking destination-led experiences that combine product quality, ambience, gifting, discovery and global storytelling. Karan added, “India’s premium F&B consumer is evolving very quickly. The same consumer who once discovered global gourmet brands while travelling is now looking for those experiences closer to home. Our goal is to create destinations that feel aspirational yet accessible, where premium chocolate, gelato, cafés and gifting come together in a way that is relevant to the Indian market.”

Sustainability is another key part of the portfolio. Venchi works with Rainforest Alliance certified cocoa and global renewable electricity commitments. Neuhaus uses 100% sustainably sourced cocoa and is moving toward full traceability. Café Bateel is known for its fully integrated organic date production, while Le Pain Quotidien follows global sustainability-linked sourcing and food standards.

CocoCart’s boutiques portfolio will begin with Mumbai and Delhi, followed by Ahmedabad and Bengaluru. The company is also developing India-exclusive launches for key gifting occasions, including Raksha Bandhan 2026 and Diwali 2026, across select brands in the portfolio. With Venchi, Neuhaus, Café Bateel and Le Pain Quotidien, CocoCart is looking to create a new premium F&B experience for India, one that brings together chocolate, gelato, cafés, gifting and global hospitality under one Indian retail platform.

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The Mumbai restaurant retains the brand’s global essence—offering freshly baked artisanal bread, nourishing dishes, and its signature communal table concept. The space features warm, inviting interiors aimed at fostering shared dining experiences.

In an official LinkedIn announcement, the company acknowledged the efforts of its Indian collaborators, stating: “A huge thank you to our fantastic local partners for bringing this dream to life. Your passion and dedication made this opening a success—and we’re only just getting started.”

Le Pain Quotidien has also indicated a broader expansion roadmap across India, with a strong focus on experiential dining and community-driven formats. The Palladium Mall location positions the brand advantageously to tap into Mumbai’s affluent consumer base and the rising demand for international, lifestyle-oriented F&B experiences.

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This partnership marks a significant milestone in Le Pain Quotidien’s global expansion strategy, with plans to establish over 100 outlets across India by 2035. The brand aims to achieve a valuation of Rs 1,000 crore over the next decade.

The venture is set to begin with an initial investment of Rs 35 crore, launching two flagship outlets in Mumbai by March 2025. This will be followed by an aggressive expansion targeting major metro areas and key travel retail locations, including airports. The expansion will not only re-establish Le Pain Quotidien’s presence in India but also create substantial value in this burgeoning market.

Expressing her enthusiasm about re-entering the Indian market, Annick Van Overstraeten, CEO, Le Pain Quotidien, said, “We are ecstatic to bring Le Pain Quotidien back to India. This marks a new chapter where we aim to create spaces that foster a sense of community, offering an authentic dining experience that celebrates the joy of simple, nourishing food. Partnering with Bake & Brew and Brijesh Agrawal ensures we meet the local market’s expectations and sustainability goals.”

The re-entry into India is not just about expanding the brand’s footprint but also about generating significant employment opportunities. The brand is expected to create approximately 1,500 new jobs, with Bake & Brew implementing extensive skills training programs to ensure high-quality service and an optimized customer experience.

In line with its commitment to health and wellness, Le Pain Quotidien’s Indian menu will feature a mix of global signature dishes and localized offerings, including millet-based dishes, salads, tartines, and organic sourdough bread. The brand plans to maintain 80% of its global menu while adapting 20% to local tastes, ensuring a perfect blend of international and regional flavors. Additionally, the restaurants will offer a range of healthy beverages, including homemade lemonades, teas, and coffees made with natural ingredients.

Founded by Alain Coumont in Brussels in 1990, Le Pain Quotidien has built a legacy of offering high-quality, fresh dishes that contribute to customers’ well-being. With a presence in over 20 countries and 220 stores, the brand’s focus is on promoting health and wellness which will be central to its operations in India.

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