BANGALORE: American ice cream brand Swensen’s has opened its first outlet in Bangalore, India at what is purportedly the largest mall in India – The Mantri Square. The Swensen’s franchise for South India is held by the Ravi Jaipuria (RJ Group)-owned Devyani International Limited (DIL).
 
On the anvil over the next few months are a Swensen’s outlet at the international airport in New Delhi, three more outlets in malls and one in a high street in Bangalore. DIL is also scouting for suitable locations at malls and high streets in other major south Indian towns and cities to bring the count to over eighty during the next five years. DIL is targeting revenues of Rs.500 million from the estimated Rs 13 billion and growing organizsd ice cream retail market in India.
 
DIL’s mass media plans for Swensen’s, once the number of outlets have been increased, include radio and outdoor media that it has already been using for its recently launched Costa Coffee brand.
 
The RJ group has Indian franchises for global foods and beverages brands such as Pizza Hut, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), Costa Coffee, Pepsi and Disney Artist.