Sbarro today announced a franchise agreement to open 15 restaurants in India in the state of Maharashtra. Upper Crust Foods Pvt. Ltd. will develop and operate the restaurants, with the first unit to open in Mumbai this month.
Over the past six years, Sbarro has announced international agreements with leading franchisees to open restaurants spanning across the globe, including locations in Europe, Russia, Asia, India, the Middle East, South and Central America, and the Caribbean.
“Over the past six years, Sbarro has significantly increased its international footprint, a credit to the depth and breadth of expertise of our international team and our focus on serving as a true partner to our franchisees,” says Jim Greco, president and CEO of Sbarro.
The grand opening marks the first Sbarro to open in Mumbai, a fast developing market that is home to an increasing number of metropolitan areas, malls, and entertainment centers.
"We could not be more pleased to partner with Rashmi and Manoj Balwani to expand Sbarro's presence in India,” Greco says. “Now is a time of tremendous growth and opportunity in the region, and Rashmi and Manoj bring deep expertise in India's burgeoning QSR sector and a proven track record.
The new restaurants' menu will be created from more than 200 Sbarro recipes that consumers enjoy worldwide, and certain adjustments will be made to suit the cultural and religious customs of India.
"It is a moment of great pride for me to be opening the first outlet of my favorite Italian food chain in Mumbai,” says Rashmi Balwani, MD of Upper Crust Foods Pvt. Ltd. “I used to be a regular at Sbarro during my days in New York, and being their master franchisee for Maharashtra is a wonderful feeling.
“I am sure that with the quality of the cooking and the ingredients, Sbarro's first outlet in the Chembur neighborhood will become a favorite among the people living in and around these areas, including Navi Mumbai. I also look forward to expanding the franchise, both in Mumbai and then in other parts of Maharashtra."
