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Aditya Birla Group expands its hospitality play

(Photo: Pexels)

Adds four iconic brands to its portfolio 

By IANSlife

Aug 03, 2023 (IANSlifeThe Aditya Birla Group's hospitality arm, Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality (ABNAH) has announced a strategic deal to add four iconic restaurant brands— Hakkasan, Yauatcha, Nara Thai, and CinCin to its growing portfolio. ABNAH has acquired a 100 percent stake in KA Hospitality Private Limited (KAH), the company that owns the home-grown brand CinCin and franchise rights of the other three global restaurant brands. 

The four brands are positioned across the customer value pyramid, spanning the mid-market to premium segments. Hakkasan is a Michelin-starred brand serving modern  Cantonese food. Yauatcha is an award-winning dim sum teahouse from London. Nara Thai is a contemporary brand that captures the essence of authentic Thai cuisine. CinCin is a modern Italian brand, designed to reflect the vibe and culture of the Italian “La  Dolce Vita” lifestyle.  

Commenting on the acquisition, Aryaman Vikram Birla, Director, Aditya Birla Management Corporation Private Limited and Founder, ABNAH said, “We continue to believe in the remarkable potential of the premium casual dining space, spurred by rising disposable income and evolving lifestyles of the Indian consumer. The intersection of  growing affluence and the desire for new-age, high-quality dining experiences presents an  incredible growth opportunity." He added, “At Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality, our vision is to create an unmatched portfolio of food and beverage brands within the country. And bringing the best-in-class restaurants to discerning diners is a crucial step toward fulfilling that vision. Each of the four brands uniquely stands out while maintaining a steadfast commitment to delivering exceptional culinary experiences. Dynamism is the lifeblood of  the food industry, and our plan is to broaden the reach of these brands and take these  distinctive dining experiences to other cities across India.” 

KA Hospitality was founded by the late Kishor Bajaj in 2011, a visionary who introduced  Hakkasan and Yauatcha to Mumbai, with the foresight that India was ready for Michelin-grade dining. They built on this vision under the leadership of Karyna Bajaj, who took over as Executive Director in 2016, by bringing in Nara Thai and creating their homegrown brand  CinCin.  

Karyna Bajaj expressed "Over the span of twelve years, we have nurtured our family business with unwavering commitment. We have built KA Hospitality from its very foundation, driven by passion into a formidable establishment renowned for crafting exceptional dining experiences. It is with great pride that we now pass the baton to ABNAH, to uphold and elevate the legacy of KA Hospitality as its future custodians. I have no doubt that they will excel in the next phase of the business’ growth. Most importantly, I extend my gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to all team members of KA Hospitality. Their commitment and  dedication have been instrumental in our organization's achievements and success."  

 

 

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