MAM
Pizza Hut rolls out ad campaign created by JWT
MUMBAI: Pizza Hut has launched a new television campaign, ‘Pasta Masti’, that has been created by JWT.
In line with its tagline, the concept is all about trying “classic” and new flavours and formats of pasta.
The campaign is a light, funny and warm TVC shot with friends mirroring the “Masti” they can have with the new range. It aims to make pasta a fun product, ideal for sharing with friends and takes it out of the zone of expensive Italian restaurants.
Pizza Hut India general manager Sandeep Kataria said, “As a brand, Pizza Hut is about Pizzas and much more. This is why we are the first brand to bring fabulous tasting pastas in an accessible and affordable manner to consumers across the country and the launch of Pasta Masti is a key step in that direction. The campaign highlights the launch of an exciting new range of 11 scrumptious pastas, which comes with large helping of fun and friendliness for everyone.”
JWT India executive creative director Surjo Dutt added,
“The TVC is all about demystifying the pasta experience, transforming it from being a formal, uptight affair to a more fun and easy-going experience.”
The creative execution shows four friends enjoying the new pasta range at Pizza Hut with friendly banter, leg pulling and bonding – typical of an outing with friends –and it’s all focused around new pastas at Pizza Hut. The campaign demonstrates that there is no one way to eat pasta, it is best enjoyed in your own unique, individual way with your friends – the Fun Way.
Brands
Kwality Wall’s reports standalone losses following strategic HUL demerger
Ice cream major faces Rs 64 crore Ebitda loss amid commodity inflation and muted Q3 sales
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited (KWIL) has released its first set of financial results as a standalone entity, revealing a challenging start to its independent journey. Following its successful demerger from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) on 1st December 2025 and its subsequent listing on 16th February 2026, the company is navigating a transition period marked by structural changes and high input costs.
For the quarter ended 31st December 2025, the company reported revenue of Rs 222 crores. Despite the revenue base, the bottom line was impacted by several factors, resulting in an Ebitda loss of Rs 64.2 crores. When calculated on a Pre-IND AS 116 basis, the Ebitda loss stood at Rs 83.8 crores.
Organic Sales Growth (OSG) declined by 6.5 per cent year-on-year during the quarter. Volume growth, however, saw a marginal increase of 1.2 per cent. The company reported a gross margin of 41.5 per cent. Additionally, exceptional expenses amounting to Rs 94 crores were recorded, primarily linked to non-recurring costs during the transition phase.
Performance across portfolios and channels was mixed. Within the impulse portfolio, brands such as Magnum and Cornetto recorded mid-single digit volume growth, indicating steady demand in on-the-go consumption. However, the in-home portfolio, which includes take-home packs, experienced muted consumption. The company is planning a relaunch of this category with improved offerings ahead of the 2026 season.
Quick commerce (Q-Com) continued to emerge as a strong growth driver, delivering robust double-digit growth during the quarter. Meanwhile, the company also expanded its physical distribution network by increasing the number of company-owned cabinets across markets.
Margin pressure during the quarter was driven by a combination of one-off factors and broader cost inflation. Gross margins were impacted by around 600 basis points due to trade investments made for stock liquidation. Additionally, cocoa price inflation contributed to another 400 basis points of pressure on margins.
Deputy managing director Chitrank Goel attributed the muted performance partly to prolonged monsoons and transitional challenges linked to the GST framework. Operating expenses also increased as the company invested in establishing its standalone supply chain, operational systems and corporate infrastructure following the demerger.
Looking ahead, the management remains focused on a volume-driven growth strategy. To restore profitability, the company has initiated a cost productivity programme aimed at reducing non-consumer-facing costs. It is also working on building regional manufacturing networks to optimise logistics expenses and improve operational efficiency.
The commodity outlook for the near term remains mixed. Dairy prices are expected to remain firm due to tight supply conditions and rising fodder costs. Sugar prices may also move higher following increases in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP). While cocoa prices have moderated recently, currency depreciation has offset some of the potential cost relief for the company.
