MAM
udChalo announces General Manoj Mukund Naravane as newest advisory board member
Mumbai: udChalo, a leading consumer tech firm, is pleased to announce the appointment of Gen (Dr) Manoj Mukund Naravane, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM (Retd) 28th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) (Former Chief of the Army Staff), to its advisory board. As part of the advisory team, General Naravane will guide the company, playing a pivotal role in making strategic decisions that aligns seamlessly with the needs and preferences of its customer base and beyond. udChalo is the only Online Travel Agency (OTA) to be winning the ‘National Start-Up Award’ by the government of India. The company has recently expanded its platform to be accessed by broader spectrum of users beyond armed forces, after realizing that over 70 per cent of the travel market in India is controlled by Chinese Investors.
General Naravane, served as the 28th COAS and is a highly decorated officer with over four decades of experience in the Indian Army. Leading from front, he has also held several other prestigious positions, including Vice Chief of Army Staff, and Eastern Army Commander. He is known for his strategic thinking, leadership skills, and commitment to the welfare of the armed forces personnel.
“We are honoured to welcome General Naravane to the udChalo team,” said udChalo CEO Ravi Kumar. “His extensive experience and profound expertise will prove invaluable as we persist in our journey to expand and enhance our services for the benefit of the armed forces community and now beyond that, serving entire nation. We are confident that General Naravane’s unmatched leadership will play a pivotal role in advancing our mission of delivering seamless and cost-effective travel experiences to the armed forces and beyond.”
General Naravane said, “I stand resolute in aligning forces with udChalo, a 100% Indian company in the travel industry that has dedicated its services exclusive for the armed forces. Through a range of products and services, udChalo is steadfastly making life easier for our armed forces community, extending its support not only at the national borders but also beyond, ensuring assistance wherever they may be. With over 35 lakh fauji families placing their trust in udChalo, it is poised to become the epitome of ‘Desh Ka Bharosa’ by extending its platform to other users as well”
He further added, “udChalo’s vision aligns well with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, demonstrating its capacity to revolutionize the online travel technology industry through local innovation and entrepreneurship. Having dedicated my life to defending our borders, I now aspire to contribute to the progress and prosperity of our nation by supporting start-ups like udChalo. Recently, India emerged as the fourth nation globally for tech venture capital investments, reaffirming its start-up ecosystem. I encourage everyone to avail themselves of udChalo’s services, as indirectly, you will be supporting our veterans who find employment opportunities with udChalo. Together, we all can forge a brighter future for our fauji families and our entire nation.”
udChalo is committed to providing its customers with the best possible travel experience. The company’s team of experienced travel experts, formed primarily by veterans and veer naris, is always available to help customers plan their trips and get the most out of their travels.
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.
