Acquisition Overview
Samuthra Group, a diversified conglomerate with 35 companies operating in 11 countries, announced the acquisition of a 50% equity stake in Singapore‑based Nandhana's Restaurant Group. The transaction covers half of the six companies that run the Nandhana's brand, Shri Balavinayagar, Nandhanas Express and Ministry of Briyani, together with their central kitchen and food‑production facilities. The remaining 50% will be purchased in phases, with full ownership targeted before April 2027. All eight existing outlets will continue operating unchanged, and the current management team, led by Chairman Mr. Sivavadivel, will remain in place to ensure business continuity.
Expansion Strategy
Samuthra plans to internationalise the brand through a master‑country franchise model. The first phase, commencing January 2027, will focus on Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and key Middle Eastern markets – the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman. The second phase, scheduled for 2028‑29, will target the United States and the United Kingdom. Prospective franchise partners and experienced restaurant operators are invited to contact franchise@nandhanas.com.
Employment and Economic Impact
The rollout is expected to generate approximately 2,000 jobs over the next three years, of which 1,250 positions are guaranteed. Job creation is broken down as follows: 100 roles in Singapore, 450 in India and 680 across the international franchise markets, with the remaining positions arising from Samuthra’s broader operations and expansion activities.
Investment into India
Samuthra estimates an annual inflow of about S$10 million into India through the sourcing of spices, rice, lentils and ready‑to‑cook products from farmers, food processors and exporters across 12 Indian states. Additionally, the group will recruit and train roughly 150 chefs each year in India for deployment to overseas outlets. A dedicated culinary training programme will be established in Bengaluru to equip Indian chefs with the skills required for international restaurant operations, thereby creating global career pathways for Indian culinary talent.
Leadership Commentary
Dr. Subash Sukumar, Founder and Chairman of Samuthra Group, stated that the acquisition marks the conglomerate’s strategic entry into the global food and hospitality sector and serves as a platform to take authentic Indian cuisine worldwide. He emphasized the ambition to build a sustainable cross‑border ecosystem that generates employment, strengthens India’s agricultural and food‑processing sectors, and opens global opportunities for Indian culinary talent. Mr. Sivavadivel, Chairman of Nandhana's Restaurant Group, welcomed the partnership, noting that the collaboration will provide the scale and international reach needed to expand the brand while preserving its quality and identity.
About Samuthra Group
Founded in 2006 by Dr. Subash Sukumar in southern Tamil Nadu, Samuthra Group operates under Family Eight Holdings and has interests spanning industrial and warehousing parks, mines and minerals, infrastructure and construction, power and renewable energy, trading and entertainment. The group’s footprint includes India, Singapore, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Africa, and its portfolio includes Samuthra Cement among other infrastructure and industrial businesses.
About Nandhana's
Established in 2020, Nandhana's is a Singapore‑based restaurant group that runs eight outlets across four brands, serving approximately one million customers annually and establishing a strong presence in Singapore’s food and hospitality landscape.