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Tata Motors, Tata Steel, Marico among stocks to watch out for on July 6

<keyword id="1477757" type="DOMAIN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Westlife-Development">Westlife Development</keyword>, owner and operator of of <keyword id="126895" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="McDonald">McDonald</keyword>'s restaurants in west and southern India, on Monday said it has launched contactless <keyword id="6355447" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="delivery">delivery</keyword> keeping in mind the coronavirus outbreak. McDonald's India is ensuring that food reaches customers without being touched by bare hands and delivered safe with adequate social distancing measures, Westlife Development said in a regulatory filing. The company said it has provided riders with sanitizers to sanitise hands before and after each delivery and has instructed them to sanitise delivery bags every two hours of use. All delivery bags for both McDelivery service and third-party delivery partner orders are sealed with tape and the bill is stuck on the back of every bag, it said adding that presenter, assembler, packer and runner use gloves while handling food and delivery packets. <keyword id="808627" type="DOMAIN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Westlife-Development-Ltd">Westlife Development Ltd</keyword> focuses on putting up and operating Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) in India through its subsidiary <keyword id="1448430" type="DOMAIN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hardcastle">Hardcastle</keyword> Restaurants Pvt Ltd. Commenting on steps taken, Hardcastle Restaurants Managing Director Smita Jatia said, "Our customers' safety has been and will continue to be our top priority. On one hand, we have doubled up the safety and hygiene processes at our restaurants and on the other, we are ensuring contactless delivery to uphold consumers' trust in McDonald's." The company further said since the government is shutting malls and restaurants as a precautionary measure, McDonald's is expanding its delivery network to ensure its food is available to customers, both through its owned app and through third-party delivery partners. RKL HRS

McDonald's launches contactless delivery in South and West India

<ul><li>A 50:50 joint venture between Connaught Plaza Restaurants Pvt. Ltd (CPRL) and <keyword id="6378093" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="mcdonalds">McDonald's</keyword> India runs 169 outlets in North and East India.</li><li>In August 2017, McDonald’s terminated its agreement with CPRL, but the Indian venture is still operating while the dispute is being examined by the courts. </li><li>Domino’s Pizza operator <keyword id="129118" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jubilant-Foodworks-Ltd-">Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd.</keyword> profits more than tripled to 660 million rupees in the quarter ending December 2017. </li><li>Domino’s Pizza is slated to open up at least 30 additional outlets to add to its 1,127-strong network across 265 cities this year. </li><li>The market for fast-food in India is expected to expand 5.8 percent to $21.2 billion this year.</li></ul>While the world is veering towards healthy foods, Indians have not deterred from their dedication to their Domino’s chicken tikka pizza - a point made amply clear by the fact that parent company Jubilant FoodWorks’ profit more than tripled to 660 million rupees in the quarter ending December 2017. This may be because Indians prefer pizzas to burgers, but the more plausible reason could be that Domino’s is profiting off the bitter legal battle that McDonald’s franchise operator in India is embroiled in. The McDonald’s Downfall Led by <keyword id="193724" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vikram-Bakshi">Vikram Bakshi</keyword>, Connaught Plaza Restaurants Pvt. Ltd (CPRL), a 50:50 joint venture between him and McDonald's India, runs 169 outlets in North and East India. A nasty legal battle ensued when McDonald's proposed to buy out Vikram Bakshi’s (MD, Connaught Plaza Restaurants Pvt. Ltd.) stake in 2008. They offered him $5 to 7 million but Bakshi wanted $100 million after Grant Thornton valued CPRL at $331million. In August 2013, McDonald’s ousted Bakshi as managing director of CPRL over alleged financial irregularities. Bakshi in-turn filed a complaint with the Company Law Board (now the National Company Law Tribunal or NCLT) in September 2013 claiming that McDonald’s was trying to strong-arm him into selling his share to them at a lower valuation. In July 2014, <a href="https://www.livemint.com/Companies/PJVjPgc9oU6dtUFoNbRfcN/NCLT-reinstates-Vikram-Bakshi-as-MD-of-McDonalds-joint-vent.html">NCLT reinstated Vikram Bakshi as MD</a> of CRPL. In June 2017, <a href="https://qz.com/1058465/want-to-know-why-mcdonalds-may-shut-down-in-half-of-india-ask-its-first-indian-business-partner/">43 outlets of the fast-food chain were closed</a> in the capital following the expiry of its eating house licences. In August 2017, McDonald’s terminated its agreement with CPRL, though the Indian venture has kept running its 169 outlets while the dispute is being examined by the courts. In the middle of all this, <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/over-half-of-mcds-outlets-close-down-in-north-east-india/articleshow/62246480.cms">in December 2017</a>, burger-loving Indians woke up to a rude shock when 84 McDonald’s in North and East India were shut down after its supply chain partner Radhakrishna Foodland discontinued supplies due to the alleged non-payment of dues. Most of the outlets subsequently reopened a month later. “Our growth has completely petered off,” Vikram Bakshi told The Economic Times. However, not all is bleak for McDonald’s. <keyword id="6211434" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Westlife-Development-Ltd-">Westlife Development Ltd.</keyword>, the other McDonald’s franchise partner that runs 271 stores in the Southern and Western parts of India plans to expand to as many as 500 outlets by 2022, according to a company spokeswoman. Domino’s Jubilant Story With all this unfolding, it is but natural that rivals like Domino’s, KFC, Burger King and Subway have been able to make hay while McDonald's sun has dimmed. In 2013, while Bakshi was busy fighting McDonald’s, Domino’s conveniently overtook McDonald’s as India’s largest fast-food brand. According to <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/food/mcdonalds-has-a-legal-problem-in-pizza-loving-india/articleshow/63498024.cms">the Economic Times</a>, shares of India’s Domino’s Pizza operator Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd. have more than doubled in the past year. And this year, it is slated to open up at least 30 additional outlets to add to its 1,127-strong network across 265 cities. According to a transcript of a conference call between analysts and investors and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Jubilant FoodWorks, Pratik Pota, the CFO said, “There is significant potential for the pizza business in the country, and we are committed to leveraging that potential.” As a result of India’s growing economy and its youth population, the market for fast-food in India is expected to expand 5.8 percent to $21.2 billion this year -- a 50 percent jump since 2008 -- according to Euromonitor International, a market research firm. Until McDonald’s promoters in India can resolve their dispute, which looks unlikely at the moment, its competitors can continue to forge ahead.

Battle of the fast food brands: How Domino’s is cashing-in on McDonald’s weak position

New Delhi, Jan 23 () Westlife Development Ltd, the owner of master franchisee of McDonald's restaurants in West and South India, on Thursday reported over three-fold jump in consolidated net profit after tax at Rs 22.72 crore in the third quarter ended December 2019.
 The company had posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 6.92 crore in the year-ago quarter, Westlife Development said in a regulatory filing.
 Total revenue during the third quarter stood at Rs 432.93 crore as compared to Rs 370.66 crore in the same period last fiscal, up 16.8 per cent, it added.
 Commenting on the financial performance, Westlife Development Vice-Chairman Amit Jatia, said, "Our strategy centered on customer experience, digitisation and maximising efficiencies is gaining momentum and delivering consistent results."
 Through McCafe, McDelivery and McBreakfast, the company has created more occasions to drive increased brand usage across all days-parts, he added.
 "This has helped us stay the course of our growth despite a challenging economic environment, slower-than-expected GDP growth and tepid consumer sentiment," Jatia said.
 In the third quarter, the company said it added 11 new restaurants taking the total restaurant count to 315 and continued to accelerate the footprint of its 'Experience of The Future' restaurants. RKL SHW
SHW

Westlife Development Q3 PAT jumps over 3-fold at Rs 22.72 cr

Tons of burgers chains becoming <keyword id="47205" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="operative">operative</keyword> in the metro cities across India, foodies were wondering what’s next and the strategists were tearing hair how to make a difference. And the biggest burger giant in the world, McDonalds seems to have successfully expressed itself here. 
 
Prioritizing India’s burger fanatics, McDonalds has a gift for the country. As per a news report by The Economic Times, customers across western and southern India can now choose from two buns, whatever burger they order. The burgers with the healthier Focaccia buns, which McDonald's introduced over the weekend, will cost an additional Rs 15 over the regular ones. 
 "These premium buns provide tremendous taste and flavour for the consumers. With olive oil as one of the ingredient, it is also healthier and has less sugar than existing buns," Amit Jatia, vice-chairman at <keyword id="808627" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Westlife-Development-Ltd">Westlife Development Ltd</keyword>, operator of over 200 McDonald's and 30 McCafe outlets across western and southern India, told the ET. 
 
While this choice of bread was available in some of the Quick Service Restaurants, giving an option in burger is something never seen before. 
This will definitely invite more health-conscious consumers to McDonalds. 
 
Last time McDonalds brought a change in its menu was by introducing 'Create your own taste' or 'Build your Burger' where consumers can choose sauces, fillings and a bun-less burger option. While McDonalds offers varieties of buns globally, each one is restricted for a specific burger. 
 As per the ET report, the eating-out market in the country is estimated to be $94 billion, or about Rs 5,85,000 crore, but only 2% of it is organised with national and international food retail brands. With major chains such as McDonald's, Yum's KFC and Pizza Hut and Jubilant FoodWorks, which operates <keyword id="158137" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Domino">Domino</keyword>'s Pizza and Dunkin' Donuts, all struggling to grow amid an economic slowdown, the industry is under pressure to increase volumes and profitability. 
 
(Image: Reuters)

McDonalds goes healthy! Now here’s a first for the junk food giant

New Delhi, Feb 5 () Makino Holdings, promoter of Westlife Development Ltd, on Wednesday divested its stake worth over Rs 199 crore in the firm through an open market transaction. According to bulk deal data on the BSE, Makino Holdings sold 46,82,533 shares, representing 3 per cent of the total shares of the firm, at an average price of Rs 425.07. This took the total deal value to Rs 199.04 crore. Through separate transactions, Kuwait Investment Authority Fund and Sundaram Mutual Fund bought a total of 22,63,900 shares for a total amount of over Rs 96.2 crore, the bulk deal data showed. According to the shareholding data for the December 2019 quarter, Makino Holdings held 7.63 per cent shares in the firm, while Sundaram Mutual Fund is a public shareholder and held 1.03 per cent stake in Westlife. Shares of Westlife Development fell 2.37 per cent to Rs 469.1 apiece on Wednesday on the BSE. AST SRS HRS

Makino Holdings offloads Westlife shares worth over Rs 199 crore

Mumbai, International quick-service restaurant chain, <keyword id="9903617" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="burger-king-india-ltd">Burger King India Ltd</keyword> (BKIL) began its journey on Indian bourses with a stupendous opening garnering a premium of over 130% on the first day of trade on Monday hitting the upper circuit just after 2.30 p.m. Against the issue price of ₹60, <keyword id="33542" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Burger-King">Burger King</keyword> stock opened at ₹115.35 on BSE, while on the National Stock Exchange, shares made a debut at %112.50, a premium of over 87% over the <keyword id="72231" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="IPO-price">IPO price</keyword>. After 2.30 p.m., the stock reached the upper price band of ₹138.40, 130.67% higher than the issue price on BSE. The upper circuit halts the trading in stocks for some time. The performance of the stock had even defied projections made by analysts who had expected Burger King to list at around 70-75% premium over issue price. "Such listing was in line with our expectation as the company issue was priced at a significant discount compared to listed peers such as Jubilant FoodWorks (Domino's Pizza) and Westlife Development (McDonald). Short term investors can book profit. We advise long term investors to stay invested in the company as there is ample scope available for the company to increase its business in India," Keshav Lahoti Associate Equity Analyst, Angel Broking Ltd said, "Even after such bumper listing, there is no issue with the valuation of the company. In the future, we expect the company to gain market share by opening more stores compared to the competitors. As the store count will increase, operating leverage will kick in and the company will be able to report profit and it will lead re-rating of the multiple for the stock," he added. BKIL enjoys exclusive <keyword id="10435142" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="national-master-franchisee-rights">National Master Franchisee Rights</keyword> in India till December 31, 2039, with an obligation to develop and open at least 700 restaurants by December 2026. It is one of the fastest growing QSR chain India with 268 restaurants spread across 17 states/UTs and 57 cities. It has already garnered 5% market share in India's ₹34,800 crore QSR market. According to Motilal Oswal Financial Services, Over FY18-20, BKIL's Revenue/EBITDA grew at a CAGR of 49%/258% led by 2x the store strength. However, it continues to make losses at PAT level. The same store sales growth stood at 12.2%/29.2% in FY18/FY19 while it surprisingly became flat in FY20. In 1HFY21, revenue declined 68% <keyword id="63194" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="YoY">YoY</keyword>, while it made losses at EBITDA and PAT levels due to the Covid-19 impact. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/top-stocks-to-watch-ril-airtel-vodafone-idea-tcs-tata-steel-cams-nmdc-and-others/articleshow/79732131.cms">Top stocks to watch — RIL, Airtel, Vodafone-idea, TCS, Tata Steel, CAMS, NMDC and others</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/comparing-the-apple-m1-macbook-vs-the-intel-macbook/articleshow/79733783.cms">Apple vs Intel – Comparing the Apple M1 MacBook vs the Intel MacBook</a>

Burger King India roll-on bourses continue — shares locked in 20% upper circuit

<ul><li>After brands like Urban Company, Zomato, Swiggy, Dunzo, MakeMyTrip, tweaked their logos to integrate face masks, McDonald has joined the bandwagon. </li><li>In its latest outdoor activity, McDonald has made its mascot <keyword id="274881" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ronald-McDonald">Ronald McDonald</keyword> wear a mask.</li></ul>Amidst the ongoing health crisis, McDonald’s lovable mascot Ronald McDonald is urging you to keep safe. His message is simple - follow social distancing and wear a mask to keep yourself and everyone around you safe. In an innovative activation by brand McDonald’s, the iconic Ronald McDonald statues will now be seen sporting masks across all outlets to encourage more and more people to adopt safe practices to prevent spread of the pandemic. Arvind RP, Director – Marketing and Communications, McDonald’s India (West and South) said, “Ronald is an icon that people and especially children love. We hope that Ronald wearing a mask will make a strong statement and encourage more and more people to follow these very important safety measures.” <div type="image" title="Ronald dons a mask" msid="76507210" hostid="261"></div> The leading QSR brand has also stepped up its already world-class hygiene and safety practices in the restaurants across dine-in, delivery and takeout to keep everyone visiting them or ordering from them, safe. McDonald’s restaurants in West and South India are operated by Westlife Development Ltd. (WDL), through its wholly owned subsidiary <keyword id="9443173" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="hardcastle-restaurants-pvt-">Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt.</keyword> Ltd. (HRPL).

McDonald’s mascot is now sporting a mask across its outlets

<ul><li>Two new cases in Karnataka took the total number of infected patients to 10 in the state. </li><li>Nagpur police have imposed Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC)to ban public gatherings. </li><li>The Aligarh Muslim University urged students to stay away from Friday prayers if they have flu-like symptoms. </li><li>The government on Monday prohibited the entry of passengers from European countries and Turkey as a precautionary measure from March 18 to 31.</li></ul> The number of <keyword id="8674550" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Coronavirus-cases-in-India">coronavirus cases in India</keyword> currently stands at 140, including 13 people cured of the disease and three who lost their lives, according to the latest data available on the ministry of health and family welfare <a href="https://www.mohfw.gov.in/">website</a>. The number of cases in Maharashtra saw a steep rise in the past one week after a family of 5 escaped the <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> tests at the airport. The Maharashtra government reported 39 active cases in the state, making it the worst-hit state in India.Kerala stood second place with 27 infected people. The Nagpur Police has imposed Section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure till March 31 to ban public gatherings to check the spread of the virus. Gurgaon woman tests positive, first confirmed case of coronavirus in Haryana A 29-year-old woman in Haryana's Gurgaon district tested positive for coronavirus, a health official said on Tuesday(March 17). The employee of a Gurgaon-based company and has travelled to Malaysia and Indonesia before testing positive. The samples of her tests were taken to the Pune-based National Institute of Virology, which confirmed her to be positive of Covid-19 Noida reports 2 new cases of coronavirus Two people from Gautam Buddha Nagar in Uttar Pradesh have tested positive with coronavirus. While one patient is identified as a resident of Sector 100 who returned from France. The second patient is a resident of Hyde Park in Sector 78. Both are now in isolation. 64-year old passes away in Mumbai taking state death toll to 2 A 64-year-old coronavirus patient today (March 17) passed away at Mumbai's Kasturba Hospital, taking the state’s death toll to 2. In fact, both the people who passed away are from Mumbai. Overall, three people have died of the disease across the country. Karnataka reports two new cases The Karnataka health department on Tuesday reported two new cases of coronavirus, taking the total number of infected patients to 10 in the state. A 20-year-old woman, who travelled from the UK has tested positive and a 60-year-old man, who came in contact with the 76-year-old deceased patient from Kalaburgi, also tested positive. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="sriramulubjp" handlename="B Sriramulu" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/986889265542868992/OWw-aKnW_normal.jpg" favoritecount="177" retweetcount="45" status="We have got 2 more #COVID2019 cases in Karnataka taking the total number of confirmed cases to 10. 20 yr old femal… https://t.co/TReM2t6Hk4" createdat="1584413405000" id="1239745794753695744"></div>



















 India bans entry of Europeans and Turkey from March 18 to 31 The government on Monday prohibited the entry of passengers from European countries and Turkey as a precautionary measure from March 18 to 31. The government also announced to expand the minimum quarantine for people travelling to India from UAE, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait. Addressing a <a href="https://www.mohfw.gov.in/TravelAdvisory16thMarch.pdf">press conference</a>, minister of health joint secretary Lav Agarwal said, “As a precautionary measure, we are expanding compulsory quarantine for a minimum period of 14 days for passengers coming from or transiting through UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait.” Guidelines for cremating bodies of coronavirus infected deads In order to stop the infection from spreading further, the Central government is framing guidelines for handling bodies of those who die of coronavirus. It came after the controversy over the cremation of a Delhi patient who died of the virus last week. The <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/govt-framing-guidelines-for-handling-virus-victims-bodies/articleshow/74663235.cms">experts</a> at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) are reviewing the guidelines that were framed during the 2018 Kerala Nipah virus outbreak and might adopt them for coronavirus as well. Air India pilots seek urgent financial aid in awake of covid-19 The two Air India pilots’ unions, Indian Aviation Guild and the Indian Commercial Pilots Association, have used this opportunity to highlight their plight in a letter to civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri The letter said, “during this time, Air India employees have gone above and beyond to get our countrymen back from Covid-19-affected countries worldwide.” It went on to add, “On one hand the cabinet has openly praised the recent efforts of Air Indians and the national carrier, but on the other, the government has not infused any funds. Our fundamental right to wages for work already done is being flouted time and again.” AMU urges students to sit at a distance during Friday prayers The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has issued a notice urging students and all other employees of the varsity to stay away from Friday prayers on the campus mosques if they have any symptoms of flu. According to the notice, people have been asked to sit at a distance from each other during prayers and also skip one row in between. It also said that those with symptoms of flu should offer prayers at their residences. The AMU has around 20 mosques in the campus and the 20,000 students and teachers who live on the campus, offer prayers at these mosques. Taj Mahal shuts entry amid coronavirus scare The Taj Mahal will be closed for tourists from Tuesday onwards amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. Officials said that the decision was communicated to them on Monday night by the Ministry of Tourism in New Delhi. The Taj Mahal’s closure will be a major jolt to the domestic tourism industry, particularly the hospitality sector since the shutdown would lead to more cancellation of bookings in Agra. McDonald’s, Domino’s introducing ‘contactless’ delivery in India After Zomato and Swiggy, McDonald’s and Domino’s Pizza on Monday introduced ‘contactless’ delivery option where the delivery boys will ensure social distancing. Westlife Development, which owns McDonald’s restaurants in western and southern India, said that it has launched a ‘contactless’ delivery option in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. “This service will allow customers to receive their order without coming in contact with the delivery staff. This feature has been introduced as an additional precautionary measure to ensure the safety of both the customers and the delivery staff,” said Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd (JFL), which runs Domino’s Pizza in the country. Punjab government shuts zoos amid <keyword id="8595403" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Coronavirus-outbreak">coronavirus outbreak</keyword> The Punjab government on Monday ordered the closure of all zoos in the state till March 31 as a preventive measure in view of the coronavirus outbreak, an official statement said. There is a large zoo at Chhatbir near Chandigarh. Besides, there are four other small zoos at Patiala, Ludhiana, Bathinda and Neelon near Samrala in Punjab, it said. According to the statement, nearly 4,000 people visit these zoos daily. The number swells to 10,000 on weekends and more during holidays in summer and winter seasons. All 12 zoos, National Library shut in Bengal till March 31 The West Bengal Government has closed all 12 zoos in the state, including the famous Alipore Zoological Gardens from Tuesday till March 31 as a means of combating the deadly <keyword id="1559124" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus-infection">coronavirus infection</keyword>, a senior minister said. The National Library here is also being shut till March 31, an official said. Minister for Forests Rajib Banerjee told mediapersons that the decision was taken in view of an advisory from the Central Zoo Authority of India which the state government was adhering to totally. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/topic/coronavirus">coronavirus: Latest News, Articles on coronavirus | Business Insider India</a>

Coronavirus: Number of cases in India stands at 140; 13 cured and three dead

<ul><li>As Westlife Development Ltd's <keyword id="126895" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="mcdonald" source="Orion">McDonald</keyword> celebrates its 25th anniversary in India this year, we speak to <keyword id="7251099" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Arvind-RP" source="Orion">Arvind RP</keyword>, Director - Marketing and Communications, <keyword id="602278" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="McDonalds-india" source="Orion">McDonald’s India</keyword> (West and South) about the brand's marketing milestones.</li><li>We discuss several phases of transformation that the brand has gone through over the years to become India’s one of the most trusted brands.</li></ul>McDonald’s, for 25 years, has remained synonymous with burgers in India. The golden arches entered the country in 1996 and was an undisputed leader in burgers until 2014, that’s when its rival Burger King set up its first store in Delhi. However, by then, McDonald’s had captured the lion’s share of the market. Surviving through many neck-to-neck burger rivalries, economic crises and pandemic, McDonald’s stands strong today. When the American fast-food giant first thought of entering the Indian market, it had to face a huge challenge. Across the world, Big Mac beefburger was McDonald’s signature product and India was known as a vegetarian market back then. So, the starting point for McDonald's India was to position itself as Indian, represent family values and culture and position itself as comfortable and easy while retaining its global values. McDonald’s gracefully Indianised its global menu and Indians couldn’t get enough of its burgers, which is a quintessential American fast food. <div type="Video" msid="87852925" hostid="261" title="How to win over a challenging market as India: Inside McDonald’s success story" dataSource="BUSINESSINSIDER" thumbUrl="https://denmark.timesinternet.in/cmslite/api/app/images.jpg?msid=87852925"></div> Sharing how the company laid its foundation into the country, Arvind RP, Director - Marketing and Communications, McDonald’s India (West and South) said, “McDonald's is a very interesting case study. It has gone through several phases in its 25 years in India. Phase one was all about building the foundation through localisation or as we call it, the democratization of the burger. We introduced the McAloo Tikki and many such locally relevant burgers for the Indian market. We also introduced many new practices to win over consumer trust such as using separate veg kitchen and non veg kitchen.” After introducing its famous McAloo Tikki and the Chicken Maharaja Mac, McDonald’s next step was to win consumer trust and it went all out with its marketing activities to woo them. Another way to win over Indians was by offering low prices and beat street food, so it introduced its Happy Price menu starting from Rs 20 back then. McDonald’s made it a point to highlight its ‘value for money’ range in its marketing campaign and that’s when its iconic tagline ‘I’m lovin’ it’ was born too. <div type="Youtube" id="ErnTTK7zOeU" title="Very funny Indian ad for Mcdonalds-Doctor" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ErnTTK7zOeU/mqdefault.jpg"></div> “It was time to create a strong brand-connect with consumers for a brand that was unknown in India before that. So, we launched several campaigns, the one campaign that comes to mind is ‘McDonald's mein hai kuch baat’. Those were the early days of laying the foundation for the brand in India. The second phase was more about making it affordable for the masses. McDonald's is a democratic and a mass brand and we also felt that at some point in time, it was important to lay a broader appeal. And that's when we can came up with many campaigns around happy price combos. One such campaign was <a href="https://www.behance.net/gallery/2039247/McDonalds-Happy-Price-Menu">Aapke zamane mein, baap ke zamane ka daam</a> (prices from your father's era, in your era). It was a really stellar campaign with a broad-based appeal.” <div type="Youtube" id="gk5ZiuFhwxI" title="McDonalds India Ad-1997" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gk5ZiuFhwxI/mqdefault.jpg"></div> After localising the menu and introducing affordable offers, McDonald’s started focusing on establishing itself as a FoodTech platform. As per Arvind, it was one of the first companies in India to offer home delivery services. “Our early campaigns focused on making the brand more affordable and then it was accelerating to kind of a food tech image. We scaled up on McDelivery. We also launched McCafe around that time, which added a whole new dimension and a whole new vision,” said Arvind. <div type="Youtube" id="HKXeMCL5b2Q" title="McDonald's McDelivery | McDelivery Online | McDonald's India" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/HKXeMCL5b2Q/mqdefault.jpg"></div> Cut to the pandemic which brought with it a time when all marketing playbooks felt redundant. Even India’s oldest brands were struggling to survive during the initial phases of the lockdown. As the government eased lockdown, the QSR industry left no stone unturned in doubling down on their ‘doorstep and contactless delivery’ proposition. McDonald’s also revamped its marketing strategy; from focusing on creating happy memories, affordability and home-delivery before the pandemic, it started assuring its consumers about its safety practices and focused on empathy after the pandemic. Arvind said, “In the post-pandemic phase, the brand has gone to the next level, we have really amped up on our omni-channel convenience. Delivery is a very important lever for the business today. Over the last two years, we went to the consumer with our golden guarantee campaign. And that went a long way in reassuring consumers in the context of the pandemic, telling them food is safe to eat and also talking about stringent quality standards and safety standards the brand has always had, which elevated during the pandemic. Also, in the post pandemic era, it's important for brands to be empathetic, not to be tone deaf to what's going out there, and tweak their marketing messaging, marketing mix, to kind of be more relevant to today's context.” <div type="Youtube" id="5Qzw-yqjkxw" title="Safety and Hygiene | McDonald's Golden Guarantee | McDonald's" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5Qzw-yqjkxw/mqdefault.jpg"></div> Today, home delivery contributes around 40-45% to McDonald’s business and its drive-through services were first to recover post-lockdown. So, the brand started positioning itself as a convenient omni-channel service. Sharing how convenience has taken the center stage today in its communication, Arvind said, “We were the first QSR brand to launch McDelivery in India, and we have been consistently at it to kind of grow it. Pre-pandemic, about 20-25% of the business was delivery and now 40-45% of the business comes from delivery. In fact, our overall convenience channels, which is our delivery, our drive through, our on the go is upwards of 50-60%. So in essence, McDonald's has kind of transformed itself over the years into an omni channel, convenient brand and that's quite important for consumers of today.” To celebrate these milestones and commemorate its 25 years of existence in our country, McDonald’s has launched a new campaign called ‘25ActsofHappy,’ a gourmet range of burgers and healthy beverages. <div type="javascript" title="Instagram" contenttype="Video"><cdata><![CDATA[ ]]></cdata></div> Explaining the thought behind its 25th anniversary campaign, Arvind said, “All kinds of consumers have had wonderful memories of the brand built over the last many years. And our 25 years is all about those happy memories. What we are saying is, we will do 25 acts of happiness over the next one year. And the first such Act has happened, which is all about building memories at McDonald's and bringing them alive. The next such act will happen later in November. So through these 25 acts over the next one year, we want to celebrate the brand and the fandom that McDonald's has among the consumer.” Capturing newly-entered territories If Arvind is to be believed, Mcdonald’s is just getting started! In its next phase of growth, the QSR giant aims to expand its presence further into the country and capture the coffee and fried chicken market. According to Edelweiss Securities report, India’s quick-service restaurant (QSR) market is expected to clock a compound annual growth rate of 23% between 2021 to fiscal year 2025. As per Technopak, India’s food services market was estimated at ₹4,236 billion in FY20. “We plan to open about 25-30 stores every year and are broadly open to emerging retail opportunities. Apart from metros like Mumbai and Bengaluru, even the smaller towns are doing very well. As an example, our drive throughs in some of the smaller towns were the first to recover post pandemic and they went up to over 50% of their original pre-pandemic sales. Our new products like McSpicy fried chicken are higher in demand in smaller towns, especially in the South,” said Arvind. Talking about the next phase of growth, Arvind added, “Future McDonald's would be something that plays across multiple dimensions. The first dimension would be categories, where we build leadership in burger, chicken and coffee. The second dimension would be across different dayparts. We are uniquely positioned as a brand to play across breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner and post dinner. And we have got burgers and beverages that are relevant across these day parts and that's such an important differentiator for the brand.” With its glocal approach and affordable options, McDonald's has quietly made inroads into desi households in these last 25 years and has built a brand connect that is here to stay.

How to win over a challenging market as India: Inside McDonald’s success story

I was compelled to pick my Oneplus 2 handset yesterday when I first heard about the <keyword id="3216446" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="FreeCharge-Go-card">FreeCharge Go card</keyword> launch. What would it feel like to use a virtual card, I wondered, as I downloaded the mobile wallet on my phone eagerly. Yep, I was not one of the 15 million users of FreeCharge app till yesterday and here I am using both the app and the newly launched card today. For starters, I feel merely the curiosity of experiencing a transaction using a virtual credit-like card will get a lot of enthusiastic people like me to sign up for the digital card. 
 
What does it take to get one, after all? Just two minutes of your time. Literally! 
 
I was astounded myself when it flashed my own 16-digit card on the screen within two minutes of my entering an MPIN. 
 
 
 
Now, what’s an MPIN for? It’s password protection for your card so that nobody else can access it, and works the same way as your phone lock. The details of your card, therefore, will be visible or accessible only to you when you enter your four digit MPIN. No more shying away from entering your pin details in front of offline merchants or strangers! 
 
Anyway, so here I got my FreeCharge Go card within no time and it looked exactly like a regular card we carry in our wallets today! 
 
 
 
Nice… The next thought is now what? Let’s try to do a transaction. But, how do we exactly use this, where and how will it help to use this card over a debit/credit card? A little bit of reading first would do no harm, I felt. After the research, I decided to get onto using this new little thing for a purchase. Though I began with skepticism quite honestly, but on the way I figured that there’s no algebra or geometry behind using it. It’s in fact used the same way we have been using an ICICI or HDFC or any other bank credit/debit card for that matter. One thing to remember, however, is this card is a PREPAID card, which means your Freecharge Wallet in the phone needs to have enough balance to cover the purchase you are making using your FreeCharge Go card. So, first add money to the Freecharge Wallet and then you are good to go. 
 
So, I headed straight to Flipkart and decided to purchase a watch for a friend who will be turning 28 this Sunday. Watch selected.. Address details added.. and now came the payment stage. I was required to choose the credit card option, copy the 16-digit card number and other details like CVV and expiry date. Now? 
 
 
 
That’s it. At this stage, I felt reassured that its usage procedure is almost same as the other cards, and it can be used on any online payment gateway that supports MasterCard. 
 
After the purchase, every transaction using the card needs to be verified by an OTP as a security measure, I had read up, which is sent to the registered mobile number. In about 30 seconds from the time I made the payment, I got mine too! 
 
Once verified, as per the offer valid for 21 and 22 January, I immediately received Rs 100 cash back in my FreeCharge Wallet on the total amount I paid. Wow, not bad at all! 
 
Another thing - The second time you use the card, the transaction merchant can ask the customer if they’d like them to take the address registered on FreeCharge, just like Facebook. So, it also does away with the problem of typing your details over and over again. 
 
Personally, I found it an extremely effective way of making payments as its doubly secure, seamless, hassle-free, attractive due to cashbacks and discounts, and can be used on all Indian websites and mobile apps. Moreover, one can also avail its benefits at offline stores as the mobile online wallet company has also introduced offline payments a few weeks ago in partnerships with Westlife Development Ltd, owner of the Master Franchisee of McDonald’s west and south India, and Shopper’s Stop. In this case, the customers paying offline need not have to give their pin but rather a changing OTP which is available at all times with or without network on the app. The firm is looking at more partnerships with the offline merchants in the coming months. 
 I think it’s time folks at <keyword id="143842" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mobikwik">MobiKwik</keyword> and <keyword id="6357120" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="PayTM">Paytm</keyword> pull up their socks, because boss FreeCharge Go card can be quite the gamechanger!

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