### **Overview** Westlife Foodworld Ltd (WFL), formerly Westlife Development Ltd, is the master franchisee for McDonald’s in West and South India. Operating through its wholly owned subsidiary, **Hardcastle Restaurants Private Limited (HRPL)**, the company is the largest multinational quick-service restaurant (QSR) chain in India by store count. Since opening its first McDonald’s in Bandra, Mumbai in 1996, WFL has evolved into a modern **food-tech company**, blending global brand standards with deep localization to create a distinctly "**TrulyIndian**" QSR experience. As of **September 2025**, WFL operates **over 438 restaurants** across **69 cities**, having added **47 new outlets in FY 2024–25**, including **India's 400th restaurant** and the milestone **100th Drive-Thru**. The company is firmly executing its **Vision 2027**, positioning itself as a leader in India’s rapidly expanding Western QSR sector. --- ### **Growth Strategy & Network Expansion** - **Vision 2027**: Targeting **580–630 restaurants by 2027**, with long-term ambition to cross **1,000 outlets** across India. - **Geographic Focus**: Prioritizing **high-potential smaller cities** in **South and West India**, including Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, and emerging Tier II/III markets. - **Expansion Momentum**: Added 47 stores in FY25 (in line with 45–50 guidance), driven by strategic real estate selection, operational scalability, and infrastructure-led growth (e.g., highways, airports). - **Store Format Mix**: - **Omnichannel Stores (3,000–3,500 sq. ft.)** with higher AUVs and long-term ROI. - **Compact delivery-focused stores (~2,000 sq. ft.)** for quicker rollout and shorter payback. - **Development Pipeline**: Construction underway for ~200 upcoming stores. --- ### **Omnichannel & Digital Transformation** Westlife has successfully transitioned into a **digital-first, phygital QSR** with **~75% of sales now digital-led** (up from 57% in FY23), surpassing initial targets ahead of schedule. #### Key Digital Initiatives: - **McDelivery App (In-House Built)**: - Over **41 million cumulative downloads** (as of Sep 2025), with **3+ million monthly active users (MAUs)**. - Offers personalized experiences using **AI/ML algorithms**, exclusive menus, customizations, and 20-minute delivery in key cities. - Features for **accessibility**, including a **color-blind mode** launched on World Sight Day. - **Self-Ordering Kiosks (SOKs)**: Installed across 90%+ stores, improving order accuracy, throughput, and upselling. - **MyMcDonald’s Rewards**: One of the largest loyalty programs in the country, driving frequency and engagement. - **Experience of the Future (EOTF)**: - Nearly **all stores upgraded** to this modern format featuring digital menu boards, table service, kiosks, and seamless integration. - Enhances customer experience and supports higher average unit volumes (AUVs). - **Omni Channel App**: Unifies dine-in, takeaway, drive-thru, and McDelivery for a consistent “**One McDonald’s**” platform. --- ### **Operational Performance & Financials** - **Average Sales per Store (ASPS)**: ₹59.3 million (as of Aug 2025), down slightly from peak levels but stable amid strategic expansion. - **Off-Premise Business**: Strong contributor, accounting for **42–43% of total sales**. - **McDelivery app growing faster than third-party platforms**. - **20-minute delivery** expanded post successful pilots. - **On-Premise Growth**: Grew 8% YoY in Q4 FY25, outpacing off-premise growth of 5%, signaling strong recovery in dine-in demand. - **Digital-Led Sales**: Account for **~75% of total sales**, driven by app adoption and SOKs. - **Financial Discipline**: Expansion funded via **internal accruals**, maintaining a **low net debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15x** and **net debt of ₹90 crores**. --- ### **Menu Innovation & Consumer Engagement** WFL maintains a **"glocal" menu strategy**—global standards with Indian tastes—to drive relevance and volume. #### Key Offerings: - **Burger Leadership**: Iconic and indulgent burgers (e.g., Big Spicy, Maharaja Mac) with value combos like **McSaver Meals**. - **Chicken Portfolio**: - **McCrispy Chicken Burger** launched as a premium, high-crunch platform with “Shordaar Crunch” campaign. - Expanded chicken menu with **Piri-Piri variants**, **McSpicy Fried Chicken**, and regional flavors. - Chicken strategy fuels growth, especially in the South. - **McCafé**: Available in **over 95% of stores (418 outlets)**, contributing **15–18% of revenues**. - Innovations: **Turmeric Latte, Masala Kadak Chai, Mango Burst Smoothie, McSwirl**. - Collaboration with **CSIR-CFTRI** to develop **millet-based buns** for enhanced nutrition and local identity. - **Seasonal & Limited-Time Offers (LTOs)**: - Korean-themed menu (Mar 2025), **MangoBurst** range—successfully tapping into Gen Z trends. --- ### **Supply Chain & Sustainability** WFL’s **farm-to-fork ecosystem** is a competitive moat, ensuring quality, traceability, and resilience. #### Key Highlights: - **99%+ local sourcing** from **2,000+ Indian farmers** across 25+ years of partnerships. - **Potato Sourcing**: In partnership with **McCain Foods**, grows **Santana potatoes in Gujarat’s black cotton soil**, fully traceable from farm to fry. - **Cold Chain Management**: Multi-temperature fleet and **6 regional distribution centers** ensure 99% on-time deliveries. - **Return Logistics**: Crate recycling and **640,000+ liters of biodiesel** produced annually from used oil. - **Sustainability**: - **Zero single-use plastic**. - Emissions intensity reduced by ~20%. - Energy optimization via IoT and sensors. --- ### **Leadership & Governance** - **Amit Jatia**: Chairman & Executive Leader, with **27+ years of QSR experience**, instrumental in establishing McDonald’s in India since 1996. - **Akshay Jatia**: President, CEO & Executive Director, driving **digital transformation, omnichannel growth, and EOTF rollouts**. - **Professional Management Team**: Includes Saurabh Kalra (MD), Rohit Kumar (CHRO), and Sohail Nalwalla (Head of Supply Chain). --- ### **Market Position & Competitive Advantages** - **Market Leadership**: - **Highest Average Unit Volume (AUV)** in Indian QSR. - Market leader in **Western India**; gaining leadership in **South India**. - **Key Drivers**: - **Brand Trust & Global Recognition**. - **Robust digital infrastructure and app ecosystem**. - **Proven store economics and scalable model**. - **Operational excellence and supply chain resilience**. - **Three Ds of Growth**: **Digital, Delivery, Drive-Thru**. - **100+ Drive-Thrus**—a category leader, with some locations achieving **1.5x system-average sales**. - Drive-thrus seen as **destination stores** with high throughput and competitive advantage.