The number of high-quality F&B options driven by innovative founders is insane, ranging from healthy snacks like makhana, chocolates, non-alcoholic beverages, protein bars, guilt-free ice creams, to RTD coffee. The battle for wallet share in what we eat and drink is fierce, and as a health-conscious consumer (ahem), I’m excited to see what’s next! If there’s a white space right now, it’s to launch a super unhealthy, high-calorie, indulgent dessert option.
We received our first F&B Letter of Intent (LOI) last month for an innovative brand in the healthy spreads category. There are many exciting companies to evaluate on the platform at Done Deal - sign up to get introduced!
We've synthesized discussions with hundreds of founders and investors at Done Deal and would love to learn more from you all!
Channel Innovation
Evolving Marketplaces: Founders are shifting from D2C to marketplaces and now Quick Commerce, showcasing adaptability to evolving market trends.
Pop-Up Stores: Small store/pop-up formats are yielding fantastic ROI, with payback in months.
Increasing Ticket Size: Leveraging cross-sells and upsells on D2C platforms to combat rising CACs.
Customer Retention: This remains the holy grail in this high-repeat category.
Diverse Revenue Streams
Gifting: This category is gaining traction, contributing up to 20-30% of revenue for some founders.
Cafeteria Stocking: Another lucrative channel proving to be effective for many brands.
Sourcing and Margins
Outsourcing Manufacturing: Brands invest in experiments and innovations tailored to Indian tastes, staying asset-light.
Profitability: Achieving profitability with healthy margins (not as high as B&PC) even with 4-5 crore ARR reflects the financial viability of these F&B companies.
Offshore Growth Opportunities
Strategic Backing: Essential for scaling within and outside India. Exploring exports, especially to MENA and SEA, holds immense potential. Strategic investors with a presence in these regions can be game-changers.
To showcase your innovative F&B company, join Done Deal. List your business on our platform and connect with leading founders and investors in the F&B space!
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