Brands
Nine prominent brands to elevate Solskjaer’s India Tour into premium event
Mumbai: In a bid to elevate the prominence of football legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s inaugural India tour which is hosted by Tilak Gaurang Shah, a dedicated Manchester United fan and the founder of Ace of Pubs, nine leading brands have joined hands to transform this unprecedented event into an exclusive and experiential spectacle.
Sharing his thoughts on partnering with numerous brands to amplify the prominence of the event, Ace of Pubs founder Tilak Gaurang Shah commented, “With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s historic visit on the horizon, we wanted to further increase its significance by partnering with distinguished brands and creating a high-quality experiential event. The collaboration with these brands signifies our commitment to delivering a truly immersive experience. Together with our esteemed partners, we aim to make this a historic event that fans will cherish for a lifetime.”
Taking place at ITC Gardenia, Bengaluru on 9 February, ITC Grand Central, Mumbai on 10 February and ITC Maurya, New Delhi on 11 February, the exciting three-city tour is set to seamlessly connect fans with the Norwegian football icon in a premium experiential manner, with the presence of prominent brands propelling the event’s stature.
“We are thrilled to associate with ITC Hotels which is the world’s largest chain with maximum LEED zero carbon certified hotels. Also, Club ITC which is the signature Loyalty program for ITC Hotels offers a wide range of exclusive member benefits and memorable money can’t buy experiences, so this will be a great opportunity for their members to interact with football legend Ole Gunnar Solskjær. Inspired by an endeavor to blend Responsible Luxury with the thrilling world of sports, this partnership will be the first of many engaging interactions, creating memorable moments for their members.” stated Tilak.
American Express, a globally integrated payments company, has been roped in as the official lifestyle partner to contribute its expertise and enhance the overall experience for the attendees.
American Express Banking Corp India CEO and country manager Sanjay Khanna said “We understand our Card Members well and look to create special experiences in areas they love across dining, sports, retail and entertainment. We are excited to be part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s maiden tour to India by collaborating with Ace of Pubs to give a memorable experience to football fans in India. We know when our Card Members attend one of these events, they tend to be more engaged with our brand.”
The event will be curated by Zomato Live, with tickets exclusively available on the Zomato app which will provide a convenient and hassle-free way for fans to secure their spot at this historic event.
Zomato Live CEO Zeenah Vilcassim said, “We are thrilled to bring the Manchester United Legend, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tour to India. This landmark event is poised to captivate football enthusiasts nationwide, as we are looking forward to bringing this experience to our audiences and to his strong Indian fanbase. This continues our dedication to delivering exceptional experiences and fostering vibrant communities across India.”
Radio City came on board as the official Radio partner to build the excitement and buzz around the event in all three event cities. Truefitt & Hill, the world’s oldest barbershop, has been signed as the official grooming partner.
Simba, the official roaring partner, will add an element of excitement to the event, whereas Outcry Entertainment, a new-generation integrated experiential and marketing agency, has been signed as the official production partner, promising a visually stunning and entertaining experience for fans.
12th Man Brewing, who has come on board as the official gameday partners in Mumbai, will contribute to creating a unique atmosphere in the city surrounding the event. Corporate engagements for the tour will be orchestrated by Ace of Trades, ensuring that corporate partners have an unforgettable experience with the legendary Solskjaer.
According to a survey, out of about 160 million football fans in India, 35 million are Manchester United fans.
Fans can book their tickets with the links below:
Bengaluru: https://zoma.to/live-event/27858
Mumbai: https://zoma.to/live-event/27850
New Delhi: https://zoma.to/live-event/27826
Brands
Sapphire Foods FY26 revenue rises to Rs 3,125 crore, posts loss
Q4 revenue at Rs 792 crore, FY26 loss at Rs 32 crore amid cost pressures.
MUMBAI: If growth is on the menu, profitability seems to have taken a brief detour. Sapphire Foods India reported a steady rise in topline for FY26, even as rising costs weighed on profitability. Revenue from operations grew to Rs 3,125 crore for the year ended March 31, 2026, up from Rs 2,882 crore in FY25. However, the company swung to a loss, reporting a net loss of Rs 32 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 17 crore in the previous year. Total income for the year stood at Rs 3,153 crore, while total expenses climbed to Rs 3,167 crore, reflecting pressure across key cost heads.
In the March quarter, revenue came in at Rs 792 crore, compared to Rs 711 crore in the same period last year. The company reported a quarterly net loss of Rs 13 crore, against a profit of Rs 2 crore a year earlier.
Cost pressures remained visible across operations. Material costs rose to Rs 995 crore for FY26, while employee expenses increased to Rs 428 crore. Other expenses, the largest component, stood at Rs 1,229 crore, underscoring the impact of store operations and expansion-related spends.
Depreciation and amortisation expenses also climbed to Rs 392 crore for the year, reflecting continued investments in store infrastructure and growth.
At the operating level, the company reported a loss before tax of Rs 37 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 23 crore in FY25. Exceptional items added Rs 24 crore to the cost burden during the year.
On the balance sheet, total assets rose to Rs 3,256 crore as of March 31, 2026, up from Rs 3,041 crore a year earlier, indicating ongoing expansion. Net worth stood at Rs 1,389 crore.
Despite profitability pressures, operating cash flow remained resilient at Rs 507 crore, highlighting underlying business strength and demand stability.
The numbers paint a familiar picture in the quick-service restaurant space, growth continues to be served hot, but margins are still finding their footing.
