MAM
Canadian Tourism Commission ropes in Akshay Kumar as its ambassador for India
MUMBAI: The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) has asked Akshay Kumar to promote Canada tourism and has appointed him as its ambassador for India.
In his new role, Kumar will leverage his celebrity status in India to promote Canada as a premier four-season destination.
Said CTC President and CEO Michele McKenzie, “We’re thrilled that Akshay Kumar has agreed to be the CTC’s Ambassador for India. Having a superstar like Akshay on board to boost Canada’s profile within his country, will help turn the spotlight on the extra-ordinary experiences that visitors can enjoy here.”
Kumar, who has enjoyed a strong relationship with Canada since his first visit in 1995, will act as the CTC’s Ambassador for India until summer 2012. The partnership will involve familiarisation trips across Canada that will be captured for local and Indian media in video and blog posts.
Averred Kumar, “I am very honoured and privileged to have been asked to represent the CTC as their Ambassador for India. Canada is my second home and I am truly proud to encourage and promote Canadian tourism in India. I have an extremely strong connection to this great land and its warm people.”
The CTC entered the Indian market in 2009 as part of its emerging markets strategy to inspire high-yield travelers to visit Canada.
Brands
Jubilant Foodworks to end Dunkin’ franchise in India
Pizza chain operator will not renew agreement when it expires at end of 2026.
MUMBAI: When the doughnuts stop turning and the coffee goes cold, even a global giant like Dunkin’ can find the Indian market a tough brew to crack. Jubilant Foodworks has decided not to renew its franchise agreement with Dunkin’ when the pact expires on 31 December 2026, according to a Reuters report. The operator, best known for running Domino’s outlets in India, said it would evaluate options for its existing Dunkin’ stores, including a potential sale or transfer of franchise rights, in consultation with the US-based brand.
The decision follows years of underperformance in a market where local tastes and intense competition have made it difficult for international coffee-and-doughnut formats to gain traction. Jubilant, which has increasingly focused on its core pizza business and newer bets like Popeyes, indicated that the exit would not materially affect its financial or operational position.
Dunkin’ accounted for just 0.61 per cent of Jubilant’s revenue in the fiscal year ending 2025 and recorded a loss of approximately Rs 191 million, according to a regulatory filing. The company operated 27 outlets as of December 2025, having shuttered seven stores over the preceding year.
The retreat comes even as Jubilant’s broader business shows signs of momentum. The company reported a 65 per cent rise in quarterly profit for the October to December period, reaching Rs 70.9 crore, up from Rs 42.91 crore a year earlier.
For Jubilant, the exit reflects a sharpening strategic focus. For Dunkin’, it marks another setback in a market that has proven resistant to imported café concepts without significant localisation.
In the cut-throat world of Indian quick-service restaurants, sometimes the sweetest deals are the ones you quietly walk away from leaving more room for the brands that truly rise to the occasion.
