Brands
McDonald’s launches first ‘Experience of Future’ restaurant
MUMBAI: Two decades ago, McDonald’s began its incredible journey of introducing the concept of burgers to India. And today, as the company moves into its 21st year of operations in India, it has embarked on a brand revolution in the quick service restaurant industry with the launch of its first ‘Experience of the Future’ restaurant (EOTF) in Mumbai.
Enhancing digital capabilities and the use of technology to dramatically elevate the customer experience.
Redefining customer convenience through Table Service.
Broadening our menu to provide balanced & wholesome choices.
Caring for the environment to contribute to a better planet, strengthen the communities and help maintain a world that can carry all of us well into the future.
This new concept restaurant, at CR2 Mall in Nariman Point, is the brand’s boldest move yet and will re-write the rules of the QSR industry with customizable menu options, new technology and a best-in-class customer experience. As part of its brand transformation, the company has evolved its menu, ordering processes and staff roles to bring greater control, convenience and personalization to its customer.
Using self-order kiosks, customers will be able to customize and build their own perfect burgers and skip the front counter entirely, with their food being served right at their table. Customers will also be able to enjoy interactive table-top games whilst they share a meal and even charge their smart phones using wireless charging devices in a contemporary and stylish ambience. The result is a more comfortable and personalized experience.
Westlife Development Limited vice-chairman Amit Jatia said, “We’re innovating and evolving for the future, and we’re excited to bring our customers along on this journey with us. With the EOTF restaurant, we are kicking off a bold and progressive plan to transform the customer experience. We want our customers to walk in and be wowed by the experience that’s modern and personalised, but still the McDonald’s they know and love.”
The new McDonald’s Experience includes:
Enhanced Customer Experience
The Guest Experience Leaders will provide customers the warmth and genuine hospitality McDonald’s is known for. From hello to goodbye, the Guest Experience Leaders will help customers to choose between self-order kiosks or counter service, assist with finding their seats, and provide table delivery service.
Advanced Customer Convenience
The introduction of Self-Order Kiosks at the restaurants will give customer a modern and convenient opportunity to try their own hand at personalising their menu and order at their own pace. Various payments modes, high speed wi-fi, air-chargers and tablets will provide consumers with more convenience and give them more reasons to visit McDonald’s.
Sustainability
The Company has enhanced its efforts in the area of sustainability by installing smart hand wash systems which will enable the restaurant to save approximately 400,000 litres of water per year. Additionally, the restaurant will save upto 6,000 units of energy with the LED lighting. Besides this, the restaurant will use bio-degradable cutlery, reusable cups and recycle its waste with the vision to send zero waste to landfill.
Wholesome Food Choices
For the first-time ever, McDonald’s India is launching farm fresh salads and transitioning its existing wraps into whole grain wraps. The launch follows consumer demand for more variety, lighter and wholesome balanced choices. Additionally, customers will have the choice to opt for milk based beverages (chocolate milk, smoothies or shakes) with their Happy Meals or simply replace their fries with a bowl of salad.
Table Service
Customers can now experience table delivery complete with the warm and genuine hospitality. Once an order has been placed, customers can take a seat while they wait for their order, guided by a Radio frequency identification device (RFID) right to their table.
McDonald’s India is driving the customer experience forward at full speed and bringing unrivalled innovation to the Quick Service Restaurant industry. The changes announced today allow for the brand to deepen its customer experience, build on its employer of choice reputation and keeping Indians loving it.
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.
