Global investment firm KKR has announced its investment in Rebel Foods, a leading internet-based restaurant and cloud kitchen company. This partnership aims to support Rebel Foods’ growth and expansion in India and the Middle East while enhancing its portfolio of food and beverage brands.
Rebel Foods: A Market Leader
Rebel Foods, founded in 2011, started as a quick-service restaurant and has grown into a multi-brand cloud kitchen platform. The company operates 450 cloud kitchens, serving over 5,000 internet restaurants across more than 70 cities in India, the UAE, and the UK. With over two million global customers, Rebel Foods has established itself as a leader in the food tech space.
The company leverages a proprietary technology stack to manage its operations. This includes end-to-end food order management, demand forecasting, brand launches, and gaining customer insights. Rebel Foods’ innovative approach has allowed it to cater to diverse customer needs and deliver high-quality experiences.
A Diverse Brand Portfolio
Over the years, Rebel Foods has built an impressive ecosystem of brands. Some of its popular brands include Faasos, Behrouz Biryani, Oven Story Pizza, Lunchbox, The Good Bowl, Sweet Truth, and Wendy’s. This diverse portfolio enables the company to offer a wide range of cuisines and culinary experiences to its customers.
Jaydeep Barman, Co-founder and CEO of Rebel Foods, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with KKR. He stated, “We are happy to welcome KKR as a strategic partner in our journey. Their investment is a testament to the progress we’ve made in building a stronger platform, expanding our brand portfolio, and scaling globally. With KKR’s expertise, we aim to supercharge our growth while focusing on innovation, sustainability, and delivering long-term value to our customers and stakeholders.”
Akshay Tanna, Partner and Head of India Private Equity at KKR, shared similar sentiments. He remarked, “We are pleased to invest in Rebel Foods, the largest cloud kitchen operator and brand owner. The company uses technology to deliver a variety of cuisines and culinary experiences. We look forward to leveraging our global network and expertise to help Rebel Foods expand its portfolio and meet evolving consumer preferences.”
Supporting Innovation and Growth
This investment is part of KKR’s Asia Next Generation Technology strategy. The initiative focuses on supporting innovative and disruptive companies across Asia Pacific in sectors like consumer technology, software, and FinTech. Rebel Foods aligns perfectly with this strategy, given its use of technology to revolutionize the food and beverage industry.
Avendus Capital served as the exclusive financial advisor to Rebel Foods for this transaction.
KKR’s investment in Rebel Foods marks a significant milestone for the cloud kitchen leader. With KKR’s support, Rebel Foods aims to strengthen its presence in existing markets, explore new opportunities, and continue its journey of innovation and excellence.
As the cloud kitchen segment grows rapidly, this partnership positions Rebel Foods to remain a dominant player in the industry while delivering value to its customers and stakeholders.
