HQ Team
September 27, 2022: Domino’s Pizza, a US global pizza restaurant chain, is going after Bengali taste buds with the introduction of Kasundi, Kosha, and Malai flavours during the ongoing Pujo (festival) season.
Domino’s is the first quick service restaurant brand that has crafted its menu inspired by Bangla cuisine and the flavours of the eastern region of India, according to a BSE filing by Jubilant FoodWorks Limited, Domino’s franchise in India.
The multinational pizza company was founded in 1960 and has Russell Weiner as its CEO. The company is headquartered at Domino’s Farms Office Park in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
In-depth research conducted by Domino’s to understand the tastes and preferences of the consumers in the region revealed that the local cuisines dominated the consumers’ palate.
‘Sweet spot’
“The brand found this opportunity as a sweet spot to offer consumers a differentiated product, bringing the best of both worlds – the goodness of pizza with the authentic flavours of Bangla,” according to the BSE statement dated September 27.
Sameer Khetarpal, CEO, Jubilant FoodWorks Limited, said: “The eastern region is a key market for us and our team has focused on developing new flavours of pizzas that capture the Bangla essence…we look forward to expanding the range and growing further in this region.”
Jubilant FoodWorks (JFL) holds the exclusive master franchise rights from Domino’s Pizza Inc. to develop and operate the Domino’s Pizza brand in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal. In India,
JFL has an extensive network of 1,625 Domino’s restaurants across 349 cities. In Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the company operates through its 100% owned subsidiary, which currently has 36 and 10 restaurants.
JFL also has exclusive rights to develop and operate Dunkin’ restaurants in India and Popeyes restaurants in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.
The company currently operates 25 Dunkin’ restaurants across 8 Indian cities and 6 Popeyes restaurants in Bengaluru.
Double stores
Pizza Hut, its nearest competitor, is planning to double its stores in India. In June, it opened its 1,000th store in India and plans another 1,000 stores during the next four years.
In 2019, the pizza market in India had grown to more than $1.5 billion. It is worth more than INR 1,500 crore and has been growing at a CAGR of 26% for the last five years.
Homegrown pizzerias such as Mia Cucina, Jamie’s Pizzeria, Oven Story, Pizza Express, Crazy Cheesy Cafe, Fire and Ice Pizzeria, My Big Fat Belly and Chianti are also in the fray to grab a share of the market pie.
