Lucknow, India | Mar 31 — The Hazelnut Factory (THF), a premium speciality coffee, artisanal mithai and cafe brand, has surpassed the ₹100 crore revenue milestone within seven years of inception, underscoring its emergence as a differentiated and high-growth player in India’s organised food and beverage sector.
Founded in 2019 by Ankit Sahni, THF was built on a contrarian idea: to reimagine traditional Indian mithai beyond the confines of conventional sweet shops and integrate it into a modern café format alongside specialty coffee.
Launched in Lucknow, a city known for its rich culinary heritage, the brand introduced a first-of-its-kind concept that combines artisanal mithai with specialty coffee in a contemporary, design-led environment.
THF’s core proposition lies in redefining how mithai is perceived and consumed. Moving beyond traditional formats, the brand has focused on product innovation, premiumisation, and presentation, introducing new flavour profiles, high-quality ingredients, and elevated packaging standards.
In doing so, THF has positioned mithai within a framework typically associated with specialty coffee, emphasising ingredient sourcing, craftsmanship, and flavour profiling. Thereby creating a distinctive consumer experience that bridges tradition and modernity.
Scale, Growth and Market Traction
What began as a single outlet in Lucknow has scaled into a multi-city presence:
- 18 outlets across 10 cities
- Over 1,000 employees
- 85% growth recorded in FY 2025–26
The brand’s growth has been driven by strong same-store performance, increasing consumer preference for premium experiential formats, and a clear brand-led strategy.
Expansion and Forward Strategy
As part of its next phase of growth, THF is pursuing an aggressive yet disciplined expansion plan:
- 12-15 new outlets planned in the coming financial year
- Targeting 70% revenue growth in the upcoming fiscal
- Continued investment in supply chain, backend integration, production facilities and talent to support scale
Ankit Sahni, Founder & CEO, The Hazelnut Factory, said:
“The ₹100 crore milestone is a strong validation of our differentiated approach to building a premium, homegrown F&B brand. Our focus has always been on creating a scalable business model anchored in quality, consistency, and experience. As we expand into new markets, we remain committed to strengthening our operational backbone while delivering a best-in-class consumer experience.”
THF’s growth reflects a broader shift in India’s F&B landscape, where consumers are increasingly gravitating toward premium and culturally rooted formats. The brand demonstrates that homegrown concepts, when executed with global sensibilities, can create scalable and defensible business models.
Badal Sahni, Co- founder, The Hazelnut Factory, said:
“Crossing ₹100 crore is a significant milestone, but more importantly, it validates our belief that Indian mithai can be reimagined for the modern consumer without losing its authenticity. As we scale, our focus remains on building a robust, future-ready organisation while continuing to innovate across product and experience.”
With a clear roadmap for expansion and a strong foundation in product and brand differentiation, THF is well-positioned to further consolidate its presence in the premium coffee, mithai and café segment.
