MAM
Relaxo appoints Akshay Kumar as brand ambassador for Sparx
MUMBAI: Footwear manufacturer Relaxo has signed Akshay Kumar as the brand ambassador for its sporty brand Sparx.
The brand sign-off, ‘Add Sparx to your life‘ conveys a lot about the brand and its connect with the youth of today, the company said.
Relaxo Footwears executive director Gaurav Dua said “Sparx, in a short span of time, has become an iconic brand amongst the youth. The new brand ambassador for Sparx had to be someone who possessed all these qualities. And who would be better than Akshay Kumar who is making a comeback as an action hero and adds sparx to his life in everything he does.”
Kumar will be seen endorsing Sparx footwear in a 40 second TVC shot in Kuala Lumpur City, Malaysia and created by 30 Seconds of Fame.
The commercial film revolves around a girl whose cell phone gets stolen by a rogue on a BMX bike. Kumar along with his friends, standing across the street with a soccer ball, decide to chase the thief; And since they all have their Sparx on, they decide to use their soccer skills to get their hands on him. What ensues is intense street football whilst the consumer witnesses some amazing close shots of the shoes. With some high adrenaline music to support this fast paced action film, Kumar will surely show his fans, how to add “Sparx” to their life.
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.
