New Zealand Natural to set up 100 ice cream outlets in India in two years

Mumbai: Global ice-cream parlour chain New Zealand Natural is expanding into India with plans to open 100 outlets by 2009 across the country.

The Sydney-based firm, which has tied up with Manju Enterprises, will take on international brand like Baskin Robbins in India.

Investments, according to sources at Manju Enterprises, would be made by franchisees.

The current focus is on metros and mini-metros for product offerings that include fat-free ice cream, frozen yogurt, soft serve, smoothies to shakes and juices in over 73 flavours at a price range of Rs40-150.

"We plan to open 100 outlets by 2009 of varying modules in metro cities and the B grade cities, of these 35 are likely to come up by this year-end," Manju Enterprises director Himanshu Maheshwari said.

The company already has opened outlets in Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur, while one each in Pune and Hyderabad are likely to come up later this month.

While the majority of the outlets are through other franchisees, six would be owned by master franchisee - Manju Enterprises.

"New Zealand Natural is offering its franchisees a margin of 50 per cent. It has three formats with entry level smaller outlet (express counter), slightly bigger ''parlour module'' and a large ''lounge module''", he said.

"A lion''s share of around 75 per cent will be invested in the parlour module and remaining in the express counters and lounges module," Maheshwari said.

New Zealand Natural has been operating in Australia and New Zealand since 1986 and claims to offer 97-99 per cent fat-free ice cream, frozen yoghurt, soft serve, smoothies, shakes and juices with a shelf life of two years under normal refrigeration.

It is present in over 14 countries and has over 400 parlours across the world. All products are imported form New Zealand .

Maheshwari, however, said that after the initial 35 outlets the opening up of the rest would depend on the pace of the mall construction across various cities.