Brands
Cruise through the urban nightscapes with Casio’s Edifice Nighttime Drive series
Mumbai: Casio, the renowned innovator in timepiece technology, proudly announces the latest evolution of its acclaimed Edifice series. Rooted in the dynamic realm of motorsports, the EDIFICE line epitomizes the brand’s core ethos: “Speed and Intelligence”. Each timepiece encapsulates the relentless pursuit of excellence, mirroring the adrenaline-charged essence of high-speed racing. From sleek designs to cutting-edge functionalities, the Edifice series embodies the perfect harmony between speed and intellect, symbolizing Casio’s unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries and redefining horological standards.
The latest range, Nighttime Drive series embodies a sleek design that mirrors the sleek lines of high-performance racing machines and cutting-edge features engineered to meet the demands of the modern urban adventurer. Tailored for the modern auto-enthusiast, the timepieces in this collection capture the essence of cruising through darkened roadways under the glow of streetlights, epitomizing the allure of nighttime driving.
The Nighttime Drive Series features two spectacular timepieces: ECB-2000NP-1A and ECB-40NP-1A that are inspired by the mesmerizing ambiance of nighttime city drives and offer a perfect blend of style, innovation, and functionality, making it a must-have accessory for every auto enthusiast. The two timepieces are crafted with blue ion plating and titanium carbide coating. The watch bezels exude a brilliant shine that perfectly complement the sleek silhouette of the watch and features a mesmerizing two-color gradation. This innovative design, a first for EDIFICE, exudes sophistication and elegance, perfectly complementing the modern urban lifestyle.
The ECB-2000NP-1A timepiece boasts a distinctive design that mirrors the captivating hues of the night sky and urban lights. The bezel features a unique two-color gradation process, transitioning from a deep blue ion plating to a mesmerizing yellow-gold, reminiscent of the city lights at dusk. Priced at Rs 23,995/-, the ECB-2000NP-1A features Tough Solar technology, world time, a stopwatch, a countdown timer, and multiple alarms, ensuring reliable performance.
Another stellar addition to the Nighttime Drive Series, the ECB-40NP-1A is crafted with blue ion plating and titanium carbide coating. The timepiece is modeled on the configuration of a formula car suspension and boasts a lightweight carbon fiber-reinforced resin case, ensuring optimal comfort and durability for everyday wear. The bezel features a mesmerizing two-color gradation, reminiscent of the night sky above and the glow of city lights below. Priced at Rs 16,995/-, the ECB- 40NP makes for a stylish accessory off-track.
The Edifice Nighttime Drive series is up for grabs across Casio India stores and offline and online retail partners across the country.
Customers can also grab these exclusive timepieces online at:
https://www.casio.com/in/watches/edifice/product.ECB-2000NP-1A/
https://www.casio.com/in/watches/edifice/product.ECB-40NP-1A/
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.
