MAM
L&K Saatchi & Saatchi wins creative mandate of Goodricke Group
Mumbai: L&K Saatchi & Saatchi has won the creative mandate of Goodricke Group Ltd., one of the largest tea producers in India.
The agency won the business after a competitive multi-agency pitch and will manage the company’s full-service creative mandate for a variety of products across multiple categories.
Goodricke Group Ltd. is a popular tea manufacturer with around 29 tea gardens and manufacturing factories across Darjeeling, Assam, and the Dooars. Some of the popular brands in its portfolio include Castleton, Roasted Darjeeling Tea, Khaass, Goodricke Chai, etc.
Commenting on the partnership, Goodricke Group vice president and head of consumer division P.T. Krishnan said, “Goodricke is a brand steeped in legacy. We wanted to collaborate with a name that’s just as rich in legacy and found the right match in L&K Saatchi & Saatchi. With excellent category knowledge and the zeal to do work that knows no bounds, we believe this partnership will bear many fruits in the days to come.”
Sharing his views on the win, L&K Saatchi & Saatchi executive vice president North & East Atin Wahal said, “Tea as a category is one we are extremely familiar with, having worked extensively on this category. Goodricke is a name that resonates across India, and with such a vast product portfolio, I believe we have every scope to do some really enriching work and help the brand not just shine but carve a unique niche in the marketplace.”
Brands
Sapphire Foods FY26 revenue rises to Rs 3,125 crore, posts loss
Q4 revenue at Rs 792 crore, FY26 loss at Rs 32 crore amid cost pressures.
MUMBAI: If growth is on the menu, profitability seems to have taken a brief detour. Sapphire Foods India reported a steady rise in topline for FY26, even as rising costs weighed on profitability. Revenue from operations grew to Rs 3,125 crore for the year ended March 31, 2026, up from Rs 2,882 crore in FY25. However, the company swung to a loss, reporting a net loss of Rs 32 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 17 crore in the previous year. Total income for the year stood at Rs 3,153 crore, while total expenses climbed to Rs 3,167 crore, reflecting pressure across key cost heads.
In the March quarter, revenue came in at Rs 792 crore, compared to Rs 711 crore in the same period last year. The company reported a quarterly net loss of Rs 13 crore, against a profit of Rs 2 crore a year earlier.
Cost pressures remained visible across operations. Material costs rose to Rs 995 crore for FY26, while employee expenses increased to Rs 428 crore. Other expenses, the largest component, stood at Rs 1,229 crore, underscoring the impact of store operations and expansion-related spends.
Depreciation and amortisation expenses also climbed to Rs 392 crore for the year, reflecting continued investments in store infrastructure and growth.
At the operating level, the company reported a loss before tax of Rs 37 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 23 crore in FY25. Exceptional items added Rs 24 crore to the cost burden during the year.
On the balance sheet, total assets rose to Rs 3,256 crore as of March 31, 2026, up from Rs 3,041 crore a year earlier, indicating ongoing expansion. Net worth stood at Rs 1,389 crore.
Despite profitability pressures, operating cash flow remained resilient at Rs 507 crore, highlighting underlying business strength and demand stability.
The numbers paint a familiar picture in the quick-service restaurant space, growth continues to be served hot, but margins are still finding their footing.
