LISTED food franchisor Famous Brands has announced its expansion into India, with a pilot Debonairs Pizza restaurant set to open in Mumbai in July.
In the short term five restaurants would be opened in Mumbai, India’s main economic hub and its wealthiest city, the group said on Thursday.
It said Mumbai had the highest gross domestic product of any city in south, west or central Asia.
Famous Brands has appointed a master licence partner in the territory to manage the business.
Famous Brands chief operating officer Darren Hele said "entering the Indian market is as much about our partners as it is about the market. They will give us local knowledge advantage, which is critical to the sustainability of this venture."
The master licence agreement has been concluded with family-owned Diwa Hospitality, a subsidiary of the Parekh Group conglomerate, which was founded 50 years ago and specialises in shipping, logistics and hospitality.
Famous Brands, whose portfolio also includes Wimpy and Steers, operates a model combining franchising, logistics and manufacturing.