Hunger Inc Raises ₹215 Crore in $24 Million Round Co-led by Lighthouse Funds & DSG to Expand Premium F&B Footprint
- ByStartupStory | October 13, 2025
Mumbai, October 2025 — Hunger Inc Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., the parent company behind celebrated restaurant and confectionery brands such as The Bombay Canteen, Bombay Sweet Shop, O Pedro, Veronica’s, and Papa’s, has raised ₹215 crore (approximately US$24 million) in a fresh funding round co-led by Lighthouse Funds and DSG Consumer Partners.
Fueling the Next Growth Phase
The newly raised capital will be used to scale Hunger Inc’s operations, with a strong focus on expanding its packaged and sweet goods vertical through Bombay Sweet Shop. The company also plans to enhance its production and supply chain capabilities, paving the way for expansion beyond Mumbai.
Some early investors, including former Tech Mahindra CEO C.P. Gurnani and a few angel backers, have exited or partially exited the company through this round.
About Hunger Inc
Founded in 2015 by Sameer Seth and Yash Bhanage, Hunger Inc began its journey with The Bombay Canteen—a restaurant that reimagined Indian regional cuisine for the modern diner. Over the years, the company has added multiple successful brands to its portfolio:
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O Pedro, a Goan-inspired fine dining restaurant
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Veronica’s, a vibrant café-bakery concept
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Papa’s, a more intimate dining format
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Bombay Sweet Shop, a modern take on traditional Indian mithai
In FY25, Hunger Inc clocked ₹115 crore in revenue with an EBITDA margin of around 9%, and it is targeting a topline of ₹150 crore in FY26.
Expanding Horizons
The company is now preparing for national expansion, with plans to open a flagship Bombay Sweet Shop outlet in Delhi within the next 12–18 months. Beyond physical stores, Hunger Inc is also strengthening its direct-to-consumer (D2C) presence through e-commerce and food delivery platforms.
Bombay Sweet Shop currently operates five retail outlets and 18 dark stores in Mumbai, serving customers through its website and popular delivery apps.
Why This Round Matters
The funding marks an important milestone for Hunger Inc as it continues to scale profitably. After turning profitable in FY24, the company’s performance underscores investor confidence in India’s premium F&B and artisanal sweets sector.
With Lighthouse and DSG’s backing, Hunger Inc gains the financial muscle and strategic expertise to expand responsibly while retaining its craftsmanship-driven ethos.
Challenges Ahead
While the growth prospects are bright, scaling a premium F&B business comes with its share of challenges:
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Maintaining product quality and freshness across cities
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Managing high real estate and operational costs in metro markets
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Preserving brand identity and customer experience during rapid expansion
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Competing with an increasing number of boutique and premium brands in the food space
The Road Ahead
With its strong portfolio of beloved Indian brands, proven management, and fresh capital infusion, Hunger Inc is poised to become a national powerhouse in India’s evolving food and beverage industry. The company’s journey from a single restaurant in Mumbai to a multi-brand, multi-city enterprise reflects both the changing palate of urban India and the growing appetite of investors for homegrown F&B brands with global ambitions.
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