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Tony Macaroni set to enter Indian market soon
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Thursday, 17 September, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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Scotland-based Viva Italia Group, the hospitality company behind Italian casual-dining brand Tony Macaroni, is set to enter the Indian market in 2026 through a strategic partnership with FranGlobal, the international arm of Franchise India. The group plans to introduce Tony Macaroni through a structured three-year, franchise-led expansion strategy.
The India entry comes as the country's organised restaurant and casual-dining sector continues to expand, supported by rising disposable incomes, urbanisation, changing lifestyles and growing consumer interest in international cuisines.
According to industry analysis cited in a 2025 SEBI report, India's casual-dining segment was valued at approximately Rs 1,215 billion in FY24 and is projected to reach Rs 1,736 billion by FY28, representing a CAGR of around 9 per cent.
The growing market has also attracted international restaurant brands, with several global operators exploring expansion opportunities in India's casual and premium-casual dining segments. Against this backdrop, Viva Italia Group plans to position Tony Macaroni as an accessible international casual-dining brand focused on Italian cuisine, relaxed dining and family and social occasions.
FranGlobal will support the group's India entry and expansion by leveraging its franchise network and market knowledge to identify potential franchise partners and suitable locations.
Gaurav Marya, Chairman, Franchise India Group, said India's dining habits are undergoing a fundamental shift, with eating out becoming increasingly integrated into social and lifestyle experiences. He added that consumers are exploring international cuisines while seeking quality, authenticity and restaurants suited to family and social occasions.
Marya said Tony Macaroni's established international casual-dining proposition could be relevant to India's evolving dining landscape, adding that FranGlobal would work with Viva Italia Group to identify franchise partners and establish the brand's three-year expansion strategy in the country.
India's dining culture has been evolving, with restaurants increasingly serving as venues for social gatherings, family occasions, celebrations, business meetings and casual outings.
NIQ's 2026 research on India's on-premise consumption landscape found that nearly seven in 10 Indian consumers visit restaurants, cafés or bars at least once a quarter, indicating the scale of out-of-home consumption in the country.
The trend is creating opportunities for international casual-dining brands that can combine differentiated cuisines and dining experiences with propositions suited to local consumer preferences.
For Viva Italia Group, the India expansion will form part of its broader international growth plans for Tony Macaroni. Through the partnership with FranGlobal, Viva Italia Group will pursue a three-year franchise expansion programme in India. The strategy will focus on identifying franchise partners, evaluating high-potential markets and locations, and establishing the operational infrastructure required to support long-term growth.
The company said the expansion will focus not only on outlet numbers but also on building a franchise network capable of delivering a consistent brand experience across locations. The group will evaluate opportunities in established metropolitan markets as well as emerging cities where organised dining and international cuisines are gaining traction.
The India expansion follows Tony Macaroni's plans to enter other international markets, including the UAE. The brand has set a target of growing its global network to more than 100 locations by 2030.
Viva Italia Group's India entry reflects the growing interest of international restaurant operators in the country's organised dining sector. For Tony Macaroni, India represents an opportunity to establish its Italian casual-dining proposition in a market where consumers are increasingly seeking diverse cuisines and dining experiences.
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