Brands
McDonald’s serves up a smash with Padel tie-up
MUMBAI: McDonald’s India (West & South), operated by Westlife Foodworld, is swapping fries for forehands with a new partnership that aims to fuel India’s next sporting wave, Padel.
In collaboration with the Indian Padel Academy (IPA), McDonald’s is stepping off the menu and onto the court to boost infrastructure, coaching, and tournaments for one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.
Known for its mix of teamwork, agility, and accessibility, padel is fast finding its footing in India. This initiative marks McDonald’s next big serve in community development, extending its global tradition of supporting sports, from the Olympics to local playgrounds, into India’s grassroots scene.
“At McDonald’s India, we’ve always believed in bringing people together through shared experiences. Sport is a natural extension of that belief,” said Westlife Foodworld CEO Akshay Jatia. “Through this partnership with the Indian Padel Academy, we hope to inspire young people to dream bigger, play stronger, and grow together.”
The collaboration aims to make padel facilities more accessible to children, pairing them with top coaches and nurturing values like teamwork and discipline. “India is ready for the next chapter in padel,” added Padel Park India co-founder Nikhil Sachdev. “Together with McDonald’s, we’re building a strong and inclusive community that gives young players the chance to go global.”
Serving more than just meals, McDonald’s India continues to deliver on its promise of community and connection, this time, one rally at a time.
Brands
Reliance Consumer Products partners with Fazer for premium chocolates in India
MoU signed during Finnish President’s visit to leverage RCPL’s distribution for Fazer brands.
MUMBAI: Reliance just added Finnish chocolate to its sweet spot because when the land of saunas meets the land of spices, the result is a premium bar that melts borders. Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Finnish food company Fazer to manufacture, market and distribute Fazer’s premium branded chocolates across India. The agreement was formalised during Finnish President Alexander Stubb’s state visit to India on 7 March 2026.
The long-term strategic partnership combines Fazer’s heritage recipes, quality standards and global chocolate expertise with RCPL’s massive distribution network reaching nearly three million retail outlets nationwide. The collaboration aims to introduce Fazer’s well-known premium products to Indian consumers while strengthening business ties between the two nations.
Reliance Consumer Products Limited director T. Krishnakumar said, “By combining Fazer’s globally trusted brands and manufacturing excellence with RCPL’s local production capabilities, robust distribution network and deep consumer insights, we are well positioned to bring world-class products to Indian consumers and elevate the overall category experience.”
Fazer president and CEO Christoph Vitzthum added, “With RCPL handling commercialisation and distribution in India, we can establish a premium position in the chocolate market and create a foundation for a broader nationwide rollout.”
Since its launch in 2022, RCPL has steadily expanded in the confectionery segment by reviving legacy Indian brands such as Ravalgaon, Toffeeman, Pan Pasand and Lotus Chocolate Company. Fazer, a major player in the Nordics, Baltics, Poland and China with exports to over 40 countries, sees India’s fast-growing chocolate market as a key opportunity.
In a country where chocolate is no longer just a treat but a growing daily indulgence, this tie-up isn’t just about bars, it’s about blending Nordic precision with Indian scale to sweeten the next chapter of the confectionery story.
