Brands
Casio India onboards ace cricketer Shubman Gill as brand ambassador for iconic watch brand G-SHOCK
Mumbai: G-SHOCK India, the trailblazing force in unbreakable watches, proudly unveils the association with acclaimed cricketer Shubman Gill as its brand ambassador. This monumental collaboration brings together G-SHOCK’s 40 years of relentless dedication to crafting tough and trend-setting timepieces and Gill’s embodiment of the ‘spirit of toughness,’ encompassing both physical resilience and mental fortitude.
G-SHOCK’s legacy spans four decades, during which it has set an unassailable standard for durability and innovation in the watchmaking realm. This remarkable journey represents a commitment to excellence, providing watches that endure the harshest conditions while bringing forth impeccable precision, innovative design and fashionable appeal for the ever-evolving youth audiences.
Gill, the youngest shining star in the cricketing world, has captured the imagination of millions with his unwavering commitment, exceptional talent, and grit on and off the field. Known for his remarkable performances, Gill embodies the very spirit that G-SHOCK has embodied since its inception: resilience, tenacity, and the pursuit of excellence. His relentless pursuit of sporting triumphs echoes the brand’s philosophy of ‘Absolute Toughness’ and uncompromising evolution to achieve.
“We are delighted to welcome Shubman Gill to the global G-SHOCK family. His inspiring persona and unwavering determination resonate strongly with G-SHOCK’s values, making him the perfect embodiment of our ‘spirit of toughness.’ Together, we aim to empower the youth, encourage them to embrace challenges, and foster an unyielding spirit of never giving up.” said Casio India managing director Hideki Imai.
The collaboration with Gill lays a firm foundation to deepen G-SHOCK’s connection with the Gen Z & millennial audience in India. Globally positioned as a lifestyle-centric watch brand, G-SHOCK is profoundly intertwined with youth subcultures, embodying the spirit of adventure and resilience. Gill’s unwavering spirit on the pitch, where he faces formidable challenges with unified composure, finds a remarkable parallel in the unbreakable resilience of G-SHOCK. Just as the watch stands strong against the test of time, Gill’s prowess stands unshaken against the fiercest bowlers. With each swing of his bat, the partnership resonates-a fusion of a firm personality and a timepiece symbolic of toughness and evolution. This collaboration transcends horizons, celebrating Gill’s unrelenting dedication in sync with G-SHOCK’s robust and enduring legacy.
The unveiling of this partnership features Gill, donning two iconic G-SHOCK all-black models – GA-2100-1A1DR and DW-5600BB-1DR. These two masterpieces hold a special place in G-SHOCK’s illustrious design evolution over four decades, symbolizing the brand’s commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation and style.
With Gill as its driving force, G-SHOCK India is geared up to embark on an exciting new chapter, deepening its connection with the Gen Z and millennials constant pursuit of innovation, style, and unmatched durability.
Talking about the association, Gill said, “It is an honour to be associated with G-SHOCK, a brand that has set the benchmark for durability and innovation in the world of timekeeping. For a cricketer, time is of utmost value. A well-timed shot can win the game for the team. The focus and resilience that I strive to maintain while at play, resonate with the vision of G-SHOCK, as they cater to the dynamic style range of an ever-flourishing youth consumer base. I hope that this exciting inning with G-SHOCK turns into an unbeatable knock of innovation and excellence, with consumers at the winning end.”
With Gill’s passion for toughness and G-SHOCK’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve, this collaboration promises to be an exciting journey of empowerment and inspiration.
Brands
Dunkin’ Donuts to exit India as Jubilant FoodWorks ends 15-year franchise deal
The quick service restaurant giant is ending a 15-year franchise partnership with the American doughnut chain, even as it renews its Domino’s agreement for another 15 years
NOIDA: Dunkin’ is done in India. Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd, the country’s leading quick service restaurant operator, has decided not to renew its franchise agreement with the American coffee and doughnut chain, and will wind down its Indian stores in a phased manner before December 31, 2026, bringing a 15-year partnership to a quiet, loss-laden close.
The decision, approved by JFL’s board on March 30, 2026, ends a relationship that began with a Multiple Unit Development Franchise Agreement signed on February 24, 2011. JFL will now evaluate and undertake what it described in a regulatory filing as the “rationalisation and/or cessation of certain operations and/or sale, transfer or disposal of assets and/or assignment or transfer of franchise rights,” all in consultation with Dunkin’s brand owners and strictly within the terms of the original agreement.
The numbers tell the story bluntly. In the financial year 2024-25, Dunkin’ India posted a revenue of Rs 37 crore against a loss of Rs 19 crore — a haemorrhage that was always going to test the patience of a parent company recording revenues of Rs 6,104 crore and a profit of Rs 194 crore in the same period. Doughnuts, it turns out, were never going to move the needle.
The contrast with JFL’s handling of its other marquee franchise could hardly be sharper. Even as it walks away from Dunkin’, the company has just doubled down on Domino’s, signing a fresh Master Franchise Agreement on March 31, 2026, granting it exclusive rights to develop and operate Domino’s Pizza stores in India for 15 years, with an option to renew for a further 10.
JFL, incorporated in 1995 and promoted by the Bharatia family, operates a network of more than 3,500 stores across six markets — India, Turkey, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan and Georgia. Its portfolio includes Domino’s and Popeyes on the global side, and two home-grown brands: Hong’s Kitchen and COFFY, a café brand in Turkey.
For Dunkin’, India was always a stretch. The brand never quite cracked the cultural code in a market where filter coffee and chai command fierce loyalty and where the doughnut remains, at best, an occasional indulgence rather than a daily habit. Fifteen years, mounting losses and a parent with better things to spend its capital on was always going to be a difficult equation to solve.
The doughnut has had its last day. The pizza, however, is staying.
