Century-old Narasu’s Coffee expands across Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh

Sri Narasu’s Coffee Company, a South India-based coffee company with nearly a century of operations, has outlined plans to expand its retail and distribution presence beyond Tamil Nadu into Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

The company currently operates 78 company-owned stores and offers 180 SKUs across coffee, tea and other FMCG categories. As part of its expansion plans, it has opened a store in Bengaluru, with another outlet planned in Amaravati.

Expansion Strategy

The expansion is part of the company’s plans to increase its presence in southern India, with Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala identified as key markets. The company has opened a store in Bengaluru, while an outlet in Amaravati is expected to open in the next two to three months. The stores will offer products across its coffee portfolio, including premium blends, instant coffee and freeze-dried variants. The company also plans to expand its distribution network from 42 distributors to 150 by the end of the fiscal year.

Product Portfolio

Narasu’s Coffee has an extensive portfolio in the instant coffee segment, which includes – Pure Instant Coffee range, Master’s Extra Strong, Insta Strong Coffee range and Freeze dry segment.

Chairman’s Comment

Sivanantham, Chairman, Sri Narasu’s Coffee: “Our journey has been built on the pillars of ethics, reliability, and integrity values that have earned us the trust of millions of families who have made Sri Narasu’s Coffee a part of their daily lives across generations. Our focus remains firmly on the future without compromising on the standards, and the commitment to quality that has defined us since 1926. We believe in growth with responsibility and will ensure that our consumers always get the value for their spend, consumer satisfaction is a non-negotiable virtue at Narasu’s.”

Managing Director’s Comment

Srudheep S, Managing Director, Sri Narasu’s Coffee: “To sustain a legacy for nearly a century requires deep respect for our roots and an unyielding commitment to quality. We have spent decades building an unassailable foundation in Tamil Nadu in product integrity, supply chain discipline, and consumer trust. Today, we have a strong network of distributors and dealers, we see immense potential in the southern region and aspire to capture a significant market share. Our vision is clear: to bring the authentic South Indian coffee experience to every modern kitchen across India and beyond.”

He further added, “We have a strategic pan India expansion plan charted for next 3 years, the Bengaluru and Amaravati stores mark the commencement our journey to growth. By establishing a strong supply chain network combined with good retail presence, by this fiscal year end, this should add approx. 18 to 20% revenue to our existing portfolio. Our instant coffee range is the key offering and growth driver for us. The domestic instant coffee market is fast growing and Narasu’s is best placed to create a niche and achieve a significant market share. Out USP is our blend, which has remained consistent for decades, our consumers come to us for the authentic taste and blend we provide. Which is the result of our stringent quality control standards and operational excellence. We are the only brand in Tamil Nadu to ensure the products are dispatched and are on the racks within 24 hours of dispatch.”

Lemon Tree Hotels signs a new hotel in Thekkady, Kerala, under the brand Keys Prima by Lemon Tree Hotels

New Delhi, November 2022: Lemon Tree Hotels announced its latest signing– Keys Prima by Lemon Tree Hotels, Thekkady in Kerala. The property shall be managed by Carnation Hotels Private Limited, a subsidiary and management arm of Lemon Tree Hotels Limited. It is expected to open in July 2023.

Thekkady, India's largest wildlife sanctuary is a dream destination for any tourist visiting India.  The 120 years old 'Surki' dam built across Periyar, Poorna in Vedic parlance, is a major tourist attraction. This sanctuary is spread over an area of 777 sq. kms, surrounded by an artificial lake over an area of 25 sq. kms.The Country's sole Tiger reserve, Thekkady, with its bountiful treasures of tropical flora and fauna is the ultimate reservoir of many an endangered species and a rich tribal culture.

This property will feature 42 well-appointed rooms, complemented by a multi-cuisine restaurant, a meeting room, a fitness center and banquets along with other public areas.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Mahesh Aiyer, CEO – Carnation Hotels Private Limited commented, “We are pleased to announce the expansion of our portfolio in Kerala with our valued partner M.S. Mathew. In keeping with our asset light growth strategy, we have consistently been growing in the management space and have already signed 13 hotels this fiscal, with nearly 2 signings taking place every month. We aspire to diversify our existing portfolio, not just in metros and tier I cities, but across tier II, III and IV cities and leisure destinations as well, by signing and opening more hotels to enhance our offerings to our guests as well as owners and partners in tourism and hospitality. We already have three operational hotels in the beautiful state of Kerala, popularly known as ‘God’s Own Country, and now two more under development. Thekkady is a particularly popular destination for both Indian and foreign travellers and will expand our reach across the state in a different brand segment.”

ABOUT LEMON TREE HOTELS LIMITED

Lemon Tree Hotels Limited is India’s largest hotel chain in the mid-priced sector, and the third largest overall, on the basis of controlling interest in owned and leased rooms, as of June 30, 2017, according to the Horwath Report. We operate in the upscale segment and in the mid-market sector, consisting of the upper-midscale, midscale and economy segments. We deliver differentiated yet superior service offerings, with a value-for-money proposition.

LTHL opened its first hotel with 49 rooms in May 2004 and currently operates ~8,400 rooms in 87 hotels across 52 destinations, in India and abroad, under its various brands viz. Aurika Hotels & Resorts, Lemon Tree Premier, Lemon Tree Hotels, Red Fox Hotels, Keys Prima, Keys Select and Keys Lite. As the current pipeline becomes operational, ~11,050 rooms in 118 hotels across 73 destinations, in India and abroad shall be operated under the LTHL brands.

Lemon Tree Hotels, including Keys Hotels, are located across India, in metro regions including the NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai, as well as numerous other tiers I and II cities such as Pune, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Indore, Aurangabad, Udaipur, Vishakhapatnam, Kochi, Ludhiana, Thiruvananthapuram and Vijayawada. The company expanded internationally with hotels opening in Dubai in December 2019 and in Bhutan in February 2020. New hotels are also set to open internationally in Bhutan and Nepal.

New Opening | Niraamaya Wellness Retreats expands footprint; partners with Samroha Resort Athirappilly

We look forward to showcasing the nature and aspect of the land by bringing our signature hospitality and experiences to our 4th destination in Kerala, says Manu Rishi Guptha.

Niraamaya Wellness Retreats has joined hands with Samroha Resort Athirappilly to offer wellness experiences with a difference. Manu Rishi Guptha, CEO of Niraamaya Retreats elaborated on the expansion, saying “We are overjoyed to welcome Samroha Resorts to the Niraamaya Wellness Retreats portfolio and introduce an environmentally conscious luxury resort in the market. We look forward to showcasing the nature and aspect of the land by bringing our signature hospitality and experiences to our 4th destination in Kerala – at Athirappilly."

Niraamaya Retreats Samroha oozes classy elegance and tranquillity right from the time one sets eyes on it. Surrounded by a private land area of 1.25 acres, the resort is just 40 km away from Cochin International Airport. It is the only 5-star resort in Athirappilly offering a mix of Deluxe rooms, Luxury Cottages, and Villas with a Private Pool overlooking the majestic Athirappilly waterfalls in Kerala, India. Wake up to the warm sunbeams streaming into your room and wander along winding paths through delightful gardens in the central courtyard between the cottages, the meditation spaces, and the banquet lawn overlooking the Chalakudy riverbank. The infinity swimming pool is perched on the cliff giving a panoramic view of the valley and the mesmerizing Waterfalls. One can witness the natural habitats of the wildlife in these rainforests and the multitudes of migratory birds nestled among the tree canopies; all in the safe confines of your balcony.

The retreat has an all-day dining restaurant - Café Samsara. The café offers traditional Kerala dishes, Pan-Asian delicacies, and custom-made fares. All this comes with a view to Athirappilly waterfall in all its splendour- having food in nature’s lap- quite literally! The Madira lounge and bar present the perfect setting to unwind with pleasant views of the cascading waterfalls and drinks of your choice.

The resort is a place of exploration and expansion of the spirit and mind. The guest journey will be rooted in evergreen and seasonal activities, from thrilling outdoor adventures to enjoying professionally crafted wellness offerings. As destination weddings pick up again—albeit with smaller crowds and larger safety checklists; what better way to recite your vows than having the majestic waterfalls, lush greenery, and vast skies as a backdrop, all in a setting of sinful luxury. For those seeking stability and peace of mind, there is a vast array of tailor-made programs including Music retreats, Yoga Retreats, Art Retreats - Mandala Designs, Sculpting, Photography Retreats, Birding & Wildlife Retreats, Workshops on Artistic Writings, etc. that will leave the guests feeling revived, refreshed, and restored.

NEWS | IHCL opens 108 rooms Vivanta hotel in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 12 hotels in Kerala, including two under development.

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), South Asia’s largest hospitality company, has announced the opening of a Vivanta hotel in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Vivanta Thiruvananthapuram has 108 rooms and is strategically located a short distance away from the Secretariat and State Assembly buildings, the airport, the Techno Park, and the famous Padmanabhaswamy temple.

The design of the hotel is modern and has a young and energetic vibe. The rooms are elegantly appointed and include the signature Vivanta suite, which is the largest in the city. Guests can enjoy stunning views of the city from the roof-top infinity swimming pool, which is another distinctive feature.

Mynt, the all-day diner offers a global menu, while Kardamom, the specialty restaurant, will be the city’s first South Indian fine-dining restaurant. Swirl, the deli, will offer some of the finest confectionery in town. The hotel also has some of the city's most impressive conferencing facilities, including a rooftop open-air banqueting venue.

Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL said, “IHCL has a long and enduring relationship with Kerala, with our hotels spread across multiple destinations. We are delighted to open Vivanta Thiruvananthapuram in one of the most commercially important and vibrant leisure destinations of the state. The opening is in line with the company’s growth objective of being present in all state capitals of the country.”

The stylishly designed hotel reflects the pulse and culture of God’s own country. With its vantage location in the heart of the city, the hotel is ideally suited for business, MICE and is a perfect gateway to exploring Kerala’s scenic and abundant natural beauty.

“We are happy to partner with South Asia’s largest and most iconic hospitality company, IHCL, for Vivanta Thiruvananthapuram. The company has played a very important role in putting Kerala on the global tourist map,” said Mr. K. Muraleedharan, Chairman and Managing Director, SFC Group & Muralya Group.

With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 12 hotels in Kerala, including two under development

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Gordon Ramsay wants to open a restaurant in India, and location might be Kerala

Before Covid-19 brought the world to a standstill, Michelin-star chef Gordon Ramsay was in Coorg, shooting for the second season of National Geographic’s “Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted". He cooked famous pandi curry for local women in Coorg. He also shot portions of the show in Kerala, which spurred him further to think about opening a restaurant in "God's Own Country".

In an interview with IANS, Ramsay said: “There are very few countries in the world that have such unique diverse flavors from north to south and then east to west. Every state, every region in India has its own specialty in food. I have been coming to India for so many years, and every time I explore something new. It’s the love of local people that compels me to visit the country again and again. I really want to open my restaurant for the Indian people in India."

Speaking about South Indian cuisine, he said, “The south is all about spices and it felt amazing to smell the fragrances of those masalas. It was an incredible experience visiting India this time. I shot with local female cooks. Trust me, they are far, far better than me. In fact, I was surprised to see how they were not sweating while cooking in such hot climate."

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