Brands
Pizza Hut serves Crafted Flatzz in new cricketer-led campaign
NEW DELHI: Pizza Hut has launched Crafted Flatzz, a new pizza format backed by a campaign film featuring Indian cricketers Shivam Dube, Varun Chakravarthy and Harshit Rana.
Moving away from the traditional round base, Crafted Flatzz comes in an oval shape with a thin, crisp and lighter crust, designed to be generously topped and easy to share. Pizza Hut positions the product as an “all-rounder”, combining bold flavours with a less heavy eating experience.
The campaign leans into India’s cricket obsession, using locker-room banter and on-field camaraderie to frame the product launch. In the film, the cricketers describe the pizza as “bolder than team selections” and its crust as “lighter than the competition”, drawing parallels between the game and Pizza Hut’s latest innovation.
Pizza Hut Indian subcontinent chief marketing officer Manish Guptaa, said the launch reflects changing consumer preferences for new formats and flavour-forward products. He added that the campaign is timed to coincide with the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup and the upcoming Indian Premier League season, when food-led social occasions peak.
Crafted Flatzz is available in seven variants, including Fiery Schezwan Veggie, Paneer Makhni Masala, Keema Masala and Tandoori Chicken. The range is priced from Rs 299 and is available across dine-in, takeaway and delivery channels, with an introductory offer of two Crafted Flatzz for Rs 499.
Pizza Hut is operated by Yum! Brands in India and continues to expand its menu portfolio through format-led innovation.
Brands
Home Essentials raises Rs 70 Cr in pre-series B round
360 One Asset leads funding as D2C brand scales stores and supply chain
GURGAON: Home Essentials, a fast-rising direct-to-consumer brand in India’s home and kitchen space, has secured Rs 70 crore in a pre-series B funding round led by 360 One Asset, with participation from existing backer India Quotient.
The fresh capital is set to fuel the company’s next phase of growth, with a clear focus on offline expansion, supply chain muscle, and sharper product innovation. Over the next three years, the brand plans to scale revenue to Rs 500 crore and reach five million Indian households.
Founded in 2024 by brothers Tanishq Jain and Divyam Jain in Gwalior, Home Essentials has moved swiftly from small-town start-up to national contender. Built on a simple but compelling idea that Indian homes deserve products that are practical, pleasing to the eye, and fairly priced, the company has carved out a niche between high-end luxury labels and no-name utility goods.
From airtight storage solutions to ergonomic loose furniture, its design-first approach has struck a chord with a young, aspirational consumer base. In under two years, the brand has served more than a million customers while maintaining strong unit economics and a clear path to profitability.
Offline retail now forms a key part of the growth blueprint. The company plans to operate 20 stores across India by the end of the year, strengthening its omnichannel presence and bringing its tactile, experiential format to both Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities.
360 One Asset senior fund manager Sumit Jain said, the brand is reshaping a highly fragmented category with products that combine aesthetics and function. He noted that the founders have demonstrated disciplined execution and capital efficiency while building a business that resonates with modern Indian households.
India Quotient partner Madhukar Sinha, added that the firm backed Home Essentials early after identifying a clear gap in the market for thoughtfully designed yet affordable home utilities. He said the new funding would help the company expand its catalogue and broaden its national reach.
For Home Essentials co-founder and CEO Tanishq Jain, the mission is straightforward but ambitious. He said the company aims to become the go-to destination for well-designed home and kitchen essentials, with experiential stores reinforcing what began as a strong online play.
Co-founder and chief marketing officer Divyam Jain, emphasised that winning in India’s D2C space requires more than sharp branding. A deep understanding of consumer aspiration, tight supply chain control, and operational efficiency are just as vital, he said, describing 360 ONE Asset and India Quotient as partners in building a high-performance organisation.
In a category long defined by cluttered shelves and uneven quality, Home Essentials is betting that good design, fair pricing, and disciplined execution can turn everyday living into a more polished affair.
