Brands
Eveready spreads ‘Dudhiya Roshani’ in Kumbh
MUMBAI: Eveready gave a unique facelift to the Kumbh Mela-the largest conglomeration of humans on this planet-by welcoming to Prayagraj thousands of devotees with vast number of professional grade LED streetlights, which lit up the city in ‘Brilliant and Efficient "Dudhiya Roshani”’.
The tender to fix the lights at one of the biggest festivals in country and globally was bagged by Eveready due to its technically superior products and competitive price range.
Emphasising on the importance of amenities for the Kumbh mela, Eveready Industries India Ltd (EIIL) senior vice president, sales and marketing Anil Bajaj said, “With a deep rooted mantra of making a difference to the devotees thronging the mega spectacle called the ‘Kumbh’, EIIL helped the Kumbh authorities in managing the smooth conduct of the mela by way of facilitating Sangam bound direction boards, changing rooms for ladies, police watch towers and tall standing media towers to name a few.”
He further added, “Time and again, we have adopted several methods to positively impact the experience of devotees coming to this mela. The brand has established a strong connect through extensive on-ground activities.”
Eveready Industries India Ltd vice president and business head luminaries Mangesh Khisty said, “We were honoured to supply more than 15000 professional LED lights for the Kumbh mela, helping the Kumbh administration in their efforts to make the area well-lit at all times and safe for the general public. EIIL also illuminated the path with street lights, reiterating the ethos of the brand.”
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.
