Bengaluru, 06(H.S): Indian sweets giant Gwalia, one of the top five players in the country’s organised mithai and food segment, has entered the catering business in Bengaluru, marking its next big growth push outside Gujarat.
The move comes after the company’s three Bengaluru outlets—in Whitefield, HSR Layout, and JP Nagar—recorded strong sales and consumer traction within a year of launch.
“We saw tremendous response from our customers in Bengaluru. Many asked if we could extend our offerings to weddings and corporate events. That’s when we realized the potential of catering here,” said Ayush Agrawal, Managing Partner, Gwalia (Bengaluru).
A ₹1,000-Crore Market Opportunity
The Indian sweets and snacks market is estimated at over ₹1 lakh crore, with organized players like Haldiram’s, Bikanervala, and Anand Sweets accounting for a growing share. Within this, the catering segment—particularly weddings and large-scale events—is projected to grow 12–15% annually in metros such as Bengaluru.
Gwalia, already a leading caterer in Gujarat, sees catering as a natural extension of its retail play. “We are one of the largest caterers in Gujarat. With Bengaluru’s cosmopolitan audience and high demand for North Indian food and chaats, it’s the right time for us to enter this market,” Agrawal noted.
The USP: Tradition with Modernity
Founded in 1994, Gwalia traces its roots to a family of halwais whose recipes go back generations. This culinary heritage, according to Agrawal, is the brand’s biggest differentiator.
“Our USP is the tradition and authenticity of recipes that have been preserved over time. Making Indian sweets is an art, and we’ve been able to maintain the same taste not just in Ahmedabad but across India and abroad,” he said.
At the same time, the company is adapting to changing consumption patterns. While customers continue to demand classics like Motichoor Laddu, Kaju Katli, and Mysore Pak, portions are shrinking. Gwalia is responding with bite-sized servings, sugar-free options, and natural sweetener-based sweets such as those made with figs and dates—popular among younger, health-conscious buyers.
Scale & Employment
Currently, Gwalia employs around 120 people directly in Bengaluru and another 200–300 indirectly. With the catering business, employment in the city is expected to rise fourfold.
Across its network of 40+ outlets in India and abroad, the company engages 2,000–2,500 people directly and indirectly.
Expansion Plans
Gwalia is strengthening both domestic and international presence:
India: Expansion into Mumbai and Delhi within six months, followed by tier-2 cities.
International: Six outlets operational in Dubai, 10 more in the US this year, strong traction in Canada, and imminent entry into the UK and Europe.
Sweetening the Future
With an eye on the ₹1,000-crore organised sweets and catering market, Gwalia is betting on its legacy, consistent quality, and scalable business model to carve out space in Bengaluru’s competitive food services sector.
“Wherever people love North Indian food, chaats, and sweets, Gwalia finds acceptance,” Agrawal summed up. “Catering in Bengaluru is just the beginning of our next growth chapter.”
Hindusthan Samachar / Manohar Yadavatti
