Brands
Festive cheer runs on fast-track loans this year
MUMBAI: Loans are getting festive makeovers! This season, it’s not the lowest interest rate that’s stealing shoppers’ hearts, but how fast the money hits their accounts. A new survey by Paisabazaar reveals that borrowers are now choosing lenders who can deliver funds at lightning speed, with 42 per cent prioritising instant disbursal and hassle-free digital processes over cheaper rates.
The survey, conducted among over 10,200 respondents, paints a picture of convenience-first borrowing. While 25 per cent still chase the best rate, the rest are swiping right on simplicity, opting for platforms that make the process swift, paperless, and seamless.
Digital finance clearly has its fanbase, 80 per cent of respondents said they prefer guided online marketplaces like Paisabazaar to compare and apply for loans. Over half of them (53 per cent) believe faster approvals and disbursals would make borrowing even smoother.
“The growing comfort among consumers to take personal loans, not just for essentials, but for aspirations, lifestyle, and festive spends, shows a more confident and mature credit mindset,” said Paisabazaar CEO Santosh Agarwal.
And what are people borrowing for? Home renovation and furnishing topped the charts at 18 per cent, followed by shopping, gadgets, and gifts at 15 per cent. Gold and jewellery (12 per cent), debt consolidation (10 per cent), and fashion and lifestyle (10 per cent) rounded out the festive wish list.
Interestingly, nearly 60 per cent of borrowers took loans below Rs 5 lakh, and 42 per cent opted for repayment tenures under five years, proof that India’s festive spirit is being powered by smart, manageable credit. Looks like when it comes to personal loans, speed and simplicity are the new sparkle of the season.
Brands
Devyani International Ltd plans three-subsidiary merger to streamline operations
QSR operator moves to streamline structure and unlock operational synergies
Devyani International is tightening its corporate kitchen. The quick-service restaurant operator has approved a scheme to merge three subsidiaries—Sky Gate Hospitality, Blackvelvet Hospitality and Say Chefs Eatery—into the parent company in a bid to simplify its structure and sharpen operational efficiency.
The decision was cleared at a board meeting on March 10 and disclosed in a regulatory filing to the stock exchanges. The merger will take effect from April 1, 2025, subject to statutory approvals.
All three transferor companies are direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, meaning no fresh shares will be issued and the shareholding pattern of Devyani International will remain unchanged once the scheme is completed.
The subsidiaries together operate more than 100 outlets—including dine-in restaurants and cloud kitchens, spread across over 40 cities such as Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru.
Devyani International, the largest franchisee of Yum Brands in India, said the consolidation is aimed at generating operational synergies, optimising resource utilisation and reducing layers within the corporate structure.
Financially, the move brings together businesses of varying scale. As of March 31, 2025, Devyani International reported a net worth of Rs 10,381.02 million and turnover of Rs 33,493.33 million. Sky Gate Hospitality posted a net worth of Rs 761.14 million with turnover of Rs 2,657.57 million, while Blackvelvet Hospitality and Say Chefs Eatery reported smaller operations and negative net worth.
The merger will consolidate these operations under a single corporate umbrella as the company sharpens its focus on scale and efficiency.
Devyani International currently runs more than 2,000 outlets across over 280 cities in India, Nigeria, Nepal and Thailand. Its portfolio includes franchise rights for brands such as Pizza Hut, KFC, Costa Coffee, Tea Live, New York Fries and Sanook Kitchen, alongside its own food brands.
With the paperwork underway and approvals pending, Devyani is essentially clearing the corporate clutter—turning three subsidiaries into one tighter, leaner operation. In the QSR world, even the back office needs a spring clean.
