MAM
Carat wins Tzinga business
MUMBAI: Hector Beverages, manufacturers of the energy drink Tzinga, have appointed Aegis‘ Carat to manage their account.
The agency‘s Bengaluru office will handle the account.
Hector Beverages director and co-founder Suhas Misra said, “The category is still under-developed and when compared to similar markets, the future growth potential is massive . We wanted a strong and dedicated media agency who can partner us in our growth plans wrt consumer and media understanding, and we found Carat as a perfect fit.”
Hector Beverages media consultant Chirantan Chandran said, “We were delighted to see the response we received from Carat on the brief and their huge passion for our business. Their understanding of the brief and the customized media solution recommended by Carat using a combination of insights and cutting edge tools were something we were looking for. We are pleased to have them as a partner and are sure that they would contribute significantly to our business growth.”
Carat MD Kartik Iyer said, “It has always been our effort to deliver consumer and business focused solutions and services to all our clients across India and are delighted that Hector Beverages found value in our proposal. We are happy to see that Hector Beverages reposed faith and confidence in our cutting edge media solution backed by relevant consumer insights.”
Carat is part of the Aegis Media India Group that also includes Vizeum, Posterscope, Isobar, the global communications agency with digital at its heart and iProspect Communicate2.
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.
