MAM
Wendy’s India turns 5 with roast battles, raves and burger cakes
MUMBAI: She came. She served. She slayed. Wendy’s India has hit the five-year milestone, and she’s not marking it with a quiet cake-cutting behind the counter. Instead, the fast-food maverick is unleashing a month-long birthday blowout that’s part rave, part roast, and all-out rebellion against boring brand bashes. In just five years, Wendy’s India has grown to over 200 outlets and now it’s throwing a birthday party that’s stretching across four cities, filling timelines, and even setting the streets on fire (figuratively, of course).
At the heart of the celebration is the Wendy’s Party Bus, rolling through Mumbai on 8 August. Think strobe-lit interiors, DJ decks, unlimited burgers, and Wendy herself riding shotgun. “The party doesn’t come to Wendy’s Wendy’s is the party,” says Rebel Foods CMO Nishant Kedia.
For Bangalore, the bash takes a cheeky turn with ‘The Roast’ on August 14, an in-store comedy special hosted by firecracker comic Banti Banerjee. “No burger, no brand is safe. We’re serving punchlines with pickles,” jokes the campaign team. Tickets drop soon on Bookmyshow.
Meanwhile, digital platforms are exploding with creator collabs that channel Wendy’s signature sass:
● Darshan Magdum’s parody anthem is the earworm you didn’t know you needed.
● Lakshita & Gurpreet attempt a GTA-style Wendy’s heist.
● AI duo Manki x Dogesh Bhai spiral into a ketchup-fuelled crisis.
● And Chordinary’s musical ode to Wendy will make you weirdly emotional about beef patties.
If that’s not trippy enough, wait till you see The Burger Cake, a hyperrealistic confection that looks exactly like a Wendy’s meal. It’s a feast and a fakeout in one slice.
To top it all off, a mockumentary is in the works, a behind-the-pigtails film that tells Wendy’s story in her own words: unfiltered, unapologetic, and slightly unhinged.
The headline act? The Wendy Raves in Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad, and Bangalore from 22–24 August . These DJ-fuelled, burger-powered parties will feature bold bites, booming beats, and brand integrations with Coke and Veeba. “Our food raves harder than most people,” the team quips.
On the digital front, Wendy’s Instagram is going full chaos mode savage roast replies, surprise drops, and enough Gen Z energy to crash the algorithm. “We’re not just selling food; we’re selling a vibe,” says Kedia. “Wendy’s has always been bold, irreverent, and in sync with the culture. This campaign is how we turn up the volume.”
With flame-grilled formats, meme-ready madness, and zero chill, Wendy’s India is showing the QSR space how to age boldly. Five never looked this fierce.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
