Monday, January 28, 2008

Pepsi bottler to sell 10% stake to vencap

Pizza Hut, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Costa Coffee and Pepsi —-all have one thing in common in India.And that’s Ravi Jaipuria, who owns the master franchisee rights for all of them except Pepsi. For the US beverage giant, he is the largest bottler in India and neighbouring countries. Jaipuria is now lining up massive expansion plans for these brands.

First up, he will offload up to 10% equity stake in Devyani International, the company that holds the rights for all the above brands, besides Disney Artist, the store that sells Disney merchandise.

This equity dilution plus some internal accruals will fund Jaipuria’s ambitious Rs 450 crore expansion plans, which would take the total outlets under Devyani from 100 to 750 by 2013.Jaipuria confirmed that he is already in talks with venture capitalists to fund the expansion.

By 2013, there will be 205 (from the current 65) Pizza Hut outlets across the east and north markets in India, 300 (40) Costa Coffee joints, 37 (7) KFC outlets and 215 (20) of Disney Artist.

On the Pepsi front, Jaipuria has just bought a controlling stake in Pepsi’ Guwahati bottling plant and this acquisition has opened up the entire North-East market for Jaipuria’s beverage business.

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