MAM
Goafest 2026 registrations now open at early bird rates
South Asia’s top advertising festival returns to Goa in May with fresh ideas and big conversations.
MUMBAI: Goafest is back and this time it’s not just calling for entries, it’s calling for everyone who wants to stay ahead of the creative curve. Delegate registrations for the 19th edition of Goafest, South Asia’s premier festival celebrating creativity and advertising excellence, are now open. Early Bird rates are available until 30 April 2026. The festival will take place from 20 to 22 May 2026 at Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon. It promises a dynamic line-up of keynote speakers, panel discussions, workshops and networking opportunities designed to spark fresh perspectives and meaningful industry connections.
Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) president Srinivasan K. Swamy said, “Goafest continues to be a defining platform for the advertising and marketing community, bringing together diverse voices from across the ecosystem.”
Goafest 2026 co-chairman of the organising committee Mohit Joshi added, “Each year, Goafest creates an environment that encourages collaboration and connection across the industry.”
Goafest is co-hosted by the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club (TAC). The event has established itself as one of the most anticipated gatherings in the advertising and marketing calendar, offering professionals a space to exchange ideas, learn from leaders and celebrate outstanding work.
In the fast-moving world of creativity, where trends change faster than campaign deadlines, Goafest remains the annual pit-stop where the industry catches its breath, swaps stories and leaves inspired ready to create the next big idea.
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.
