Brands
Aircel launches new consumer initiative with CSK
NEW DELHI: With Indian Premiere League (IPL) upon us, the brands associated with it and various teams have started their campaigns.
One of the first to do so is Aircel which has launched a consumer initiative with Chennai Super Kings – Aircel High Flyer Contest as part of its customer engagement programme.
The contest gives lucky winners a rare opportunity to fly with the CSK team, stay in a hotel and get match tickets to watch a cricket match. Customers can relive their dream of being with all CSK players in one flight, engage with their favourite players, share their experiences and much more. With this all-expense paid offer, Aircel intends to share a unique opportunity and experience with all its prepaid and postpaid customers.
Aircel chief marketing officer Anupam Vasudev said: “Aircel is giving this big opportunity to its customers to have an access to be on the same flight with the Chennai Super Kings. It is a dream fulfilling experience for a fan and a memorable day of his life. We are delighted to launch this contest which is a great platform for us to connect and engage with our target audience, especially the youth. We are also launching our new ad campaign on the theme of ‘High Flyer’ which will be on air from today. We will augment the promotions through electronic, radio and digital media.”
Apart from the bumper prize, the contest also offers customers an exciting chance to win 800 match tickets at various locations in India. Customers will also get an assured prize of local Aircel to Aircel 10 minutes talk time when they participate in the contest. In this manner, Aircel offers something ‘extra’ to all its subscribers participating in this exciting contest.
All existing pre-paid subscribers who recharge for Rs 100 and above are eligible to participate in this consumer promotion. All existing post-paid subscribers are eligible if they have no outstanding balance payment on their last bill. Non-Aircel subscribers can participate in the promotion by buying a new Aircel connection, post paid or pre paid.
India Cements marketing president Rakesh Singh said: “Chennai Super Kingshas a long term association with Aircel and it has worked well for both the brands. With some exciting engagement contests launched by Aircel we hope that the team will receive the same support it has been receiving over these years from its fans. We are a fan driven team and all our, as well as partner endeavours, have been to bring them closer and closer to their home team.”
Aircel will also run some interesting VAS contests for its customers during the IPL with some exclusive content – pictures and videos of CSK and IPL. Tapping into the digital world to create buzz around CSK in the social media community, Aircel launched an online engagement contest for its fans giving them also a chance to fly with their favorite team.
Brands
Sapphire Foods FY26 revenue rises to Rs 3,125 crore, posts loss
Q4 revenue at Rs 792 crore, FY26 loss at Rs 32 crore amid cost pressures.
MUMBAI: If growth is on the menu, profitability seems to have taken a brief detour. Sapphire Foods India reported a steady rise in topline for FY26, even as rising costs weighed on profitability. Revenue from operations grew to Rs 3,125 crore for the year ended March 31, 2026, up from Rs 2,882 crore in FY25. However, the company swung to a loss, reporting a net loss of Rs 32 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 17 crore in the previous year. Total income for the year stood at Rs 3,153 crore, while total expenses climbed to Rs 3,167 crore, reflecting pressure across key cost heads.
In the March quarter, revenue came in at Rs 792 crore, compared to Rs 711 crore in the same period last year. The company reported a quarterly net loss of Rs 13 crore, against a profit of Rs 2 crore a year earlier.
Cost pressures remained visible across operations. Material costs rose to Rs 995 crore for FY26, while employee expenses increased to Rs 428 crore. Other expenses, the largest component, stood at Rs 1,229 crore, underscoring the impact of store operations and expansion-related spends.
Depreciation and amortisation expenses also climbed to Rs 392 crore for the year, reflecting continued investments in store infrastructure and growth.
At the operating level, the company reported a loss before tax of Rs 37 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 23 crore in FY25. Exceptional items added Rs 24 crore to the cost burden during the year.
On the balance sheet, total assets rose to Rs 3,256 crore as of March 31, 2026, up from Rs 3,041 crore a year earlier, indicating ongoing expansion. Net worth stood at Rs 1,389 crore.
Despite profitability pressures, operating cash flow remained resilient at Rs 507 crore, highlighting underlying business strength and demand stability.
The numbers paint a familiar picture in the quick-service restaurant space, growth continues to be served hot, but margins are still finding their footing.
