Brands
Byte-sized ownership: Bytepe turns smartphone dreams into subscriptions
MUMBAI: Why buy when you can subscribe? Bytepe, India’s first tech subscription platform, is reprogramming the way Indians think about smartphone ownership, with a model that swaps EMIs for easy monthly subscriptions and outdated devices for yearly upgrades.
Founded by serial entrepreneur Jayant Jha, the former Flipkart leader who co-founded and sold Yaantra to Flipkart, Bytepe promises to make premium smartphones, including the latest iphone 17 series, more accessible, affordable, and flexible than ever before.
“With Bytepe, we’re democratising luxury,” said Jha. “After years of watching consumers get locked into long EMIs and old devices, we wanted to create a model that’s lighter on the wallet, better for the planet, and puts control back in the user’s hands.”
The concept is refreshingly simple: pick your phone, pay a monthly subscription that’s lower than traditional EMIs, enjoy 100 per cent damage protection, and upgrade every year, no hidden costs, no long-term lock-ins. Bytepe also offers its own Bytepe EMI for non-credit card users, ensuring access for all.
For instance, the new iphone 17 (256 gb), priced at Rs 82,900, can be subscribed to for a fraction of that monthly, with the option to upgrade, return, or own it outright after 12 months. For those who prefer to pay upfront, Bytepe offers 50 per cent assured buyback after 12 or 24 months, plus full insurance coverage.
Starting with smartphones, Bytepe plans to expand into other tech categories including electronics and accessories, creating what Jha calls “a smarter, circular economy of ownership.”
In a market where affordability often comes at the cost of flexibility, Bytepe is offering something refreshingly new: the freedom to stay up to date, without being tied down.
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.
