Written By: Resham Daswani

Introduction: Global Taste meets India's QSR Franchise Explosion

India's fast-service restaurant (QSR) sector is seeing a dramatic change as foreign companies line up via master franchise models to join the market. One of India's biggest QSR operators, Devyani International LTD. (DIL), has lately signed master franchise partnerships with Tealive, New York Fries, and Sanook Kitchen.

We discuss in this post why 2025 could be the ideal year to invest in or collaborate with these rising names and how these businesses fit into India's changing food scene.

DIL [ Devyani International Ltd] - A brief overview of their QSR Franchise business in India

In India, DIL is the dominant franchisee of international quick-service restaurant chains like KFC, Pizza Hut, and Costa Coffee. Now that it has a solid operational foundation, extensive market expertise, and over 1,400 shops in 250+ cities throughout India, DIL is using exclusive master rights to grow its franchise portfolio globally.

Fast Facts:

• Originated in 1991
• Location: Gurugram, Haryana, India
• Corporate Family: RJ Corp.
• Chairman: Virag Joshi
• More than 1,400 locations in 250+ cities by 2024

Portfolio of Franchises (India & Global):

Yum! Brands (Indian and select country franchisees):

• KFC
• The Pizza Hut
• Caffe Costa

Future Collaborations (From 2025 onwards):

• Malaysian Tealive — Bubble tea
• NY Fries (Canada)—Gourmet fries
• Southeast Asian food served at Sanook Kitchen [A Singaporean Brand]

Strategies for Growth:

• Adding 100+ outlets annually, the shop is rapidly expanding.
• Quick-service restaurant, café, and dine-in all part of the same plan
• Get new international brands into India through master franchise partnerships.

Why DIL is unique?

• Skilled operator with extensive QSR background
• Supply chain network and scalable infrastructure
• Local knowledge of customers + international collaborations
• Powerful online and delivery integration (via Swiggy, Zomato, and internal technologies)

In a nutshell, with more than 1,400 locations under its belt, DIL dominates the Indian market as a franchisee of Yum! Brands, including KFC, Pizza Hut, and Costa Coffee. It has become well-known for: thanks to RJ Corp, which is headed by Ravi Jaipuria:

• Rapid growth in untapped areas
• Ensure operational coherence
• Recognising the dynamics of the Indian palate

Now, DIL is utilising its expertise to introduce new, high-potential international brands to the Indian market.

The Three Brands That Will Make a Big Impact in 2025 [ Set To Enter Indian Market As A Master Franchise]

Malaysian Brand : Tealive India's Bubble Tea Moment [ Entry into India: Mid-2025 through DIL]

An overview of Tealive:

Tealive, which first opened its doors in 2017, is the premier bubble tea chain in Southeast Asia. The vegan alternatives, creative flavours, and utilisation of regional ingredients make this brand ideal for the picky Gen Zers in India.

Its Revolutionary Impact on India:

• Growing at a CAGR of 15–18%, bubble tea is popular but not widely consumed.
• Has a stronger global brand and competes with specialised brands such as Chaayos and The Tea Planet.
• Proven model of delivery and takeaway = minimal capital expenditures and rapid scaling

Canada’s New York Fries: Delicious, Premium Snacking Around the World { Entry into India: through DIL in Q2 2025]

Brand Information:

Poutines, loaded fries, and other comfort foods were the focus of this gourmet fries chain. The snack-obsessed Indian market gets a North American spin from NYF.

Moreover, This Is Perfect for the Urban Food Scene in India:

• In India, there is currently no market leader in premium fries alone.
• Malls, multiplexes, and also tech parks have a high potential for return customers.
• A quick-service restaurant or mall kiosk that is easily franchiseable

Singapore’s Sanook Kitchen - Delish Thai and Pan-Asian Dishes for Indian Taste Buds [Entry into India via DIL towards the end of 2025]

Regarding the Company:

With its approachable, genuine pan-Asian fare, this casual dining brand captures the spirit of "Sanook," which means "fun" in Thai.

Its Great Potential in the Indian Market:

• Even while Thai food is huge in India's cities, there aren't any established chains serving it.
• Ideal for busy city streets: moreover, a hybrid approach combining casual dining with delivery
• Compared to upscale Thai restaurants, Sanook offers more affordable prices.

Why Are Global Brands Opting for the QSR Master Franchise Model To Enter Into India?

1. Market Penetration Rate: Quick regional multi-unit expansion is possible with the help of an Indian master franchisee.
2. Expertise from the Area: Deep operational as well as customer insights are brought to the table by Indian partners.
3. CapEx Effectiveness: Franchisees pay for and also run local rollouts, allowing franchisors to avoid direct investment risk.
4. Exploring the Need for Something New: New global flavours are in high demand because to the experimental nature of Indian customers.

Five Other Master Franchises Entering Into Indian Markets 2025 and Beyond

In addition to DIL's major investments, the following international F&B brand companies are currently looking for regional developers or master franchisees in India:

Australia’s Mad Max

• Style: Mexican Quick Casual
• Advantages: Vegan-friendly, clean-label burritos and bowls
• Possibility: Healthy, high-quality quick-service restaurants with room to grow in Tier 1/2 cities
• Tech parks, airports, as well as main avenues are great places to put them.
• In search of a master franchisee in India for the 2025 rollout

UK’s Cooks Coffee Co

• Products: Esquires, Triple Two Coffee
• Espresso and Speciality Coffee for Any Time of Day
• Unique selling point: ethical sourcing and a cosy cafe atmosphere
• significance: Growing popularity of cafés in first- as well as second-tier urban areas
• Classification of Franchise: Master or area developer with the ability to launch multiple units

UAE’s Mandilicious

• Type: Food from the Middle East and the Emirates
• Delicious kabsa and mandi rice served in a family setting
• Unique selling proposition: Halal, quick-service, relaxed atmosphere, personalised meals
• Franchise Model: Launch of Cloud Kitchen in addition to Full-Service Dining

USA’s Jon Smith Subs

• Type: Sub rolls and hot sandwiches
• What sets them apart: our premium, made-to-order sandwiches and our lightning-fast service.
• Possibility in India: Can Rival Subway as well as Quiznos
• Franchise Opportunity: Seeking Regional Developers for Multiple Cities

Canada’s Xpress Pizza

• Fast food joint specialising in value pizza
• Unique selling proposition: fast, tech-enabled pizza at a competitive price
• Superior to competitors: the second tier as well as Tier 3 locations; compact footprint
• Franchise Entry: They are currently in talks with aggregators in India.

Trends that are Fostering the Growth of Master Franchises in India

#1. Technology-Powered Growth

• The costs of going to market have been lowered by food delivery applications such as Zomato and Swiggy
• These days, a lot of big names are using hybrid models that combine cloud kitchens with franchises.

#2. Ecosystem Development and Franchise Events

• The latest launchpads are events like FranGlobal Discovery Days, Franchise India Expo, and FBO Summit.
• Franchise consultants are actively working to connect multinational businesses with competent operators in India.

#3. Level 2-3 Boom

• These quick-service restaurant (QSR) cities are experiencing rapid expansion: Indore, Surat, Kochi, Lucknow, Ludhiana, and Bhubaneswar.
• The regional partners in these areas are on the hunt for quality, globally recognised brands that can scale.

Therefore, for the year 2025, India's food and beverage industry isn't only expanding; it's going worldwide. Indian food is becoming more global, with influences ranging from Canada's fries and bubble tea to Australia's burritos and the United Arab Emirates' mandi.

The qsr master franchise concept serves as a link between the aspirations of Indian entrepreneurs and the global marketplace.

Disclaimer: The brands mentioned in this blog are the recommendations provided by the author. FranchiseBAZAR does not claim to work with these brands / represent them / or are associated with them in any manner. Investors and prospective franchisees are to do their own due diligence before investing in any franchise business at their own risk and discretion. FranchiseBAZAR or its Directors disclaim any liability or risks arising out of any transactions that may take place due to the information provided in this blog.