Swiggy Transfers Ownership of Popular Food Brands to Kouzina in Strategic Partnership
May 06, 2025 - In a significant business restructuring move, food delivery giant Swiggy has entered into a strategic agreement with Kouzina Food Tech to transfer exclusive licensing rights for its popular digital-first food brands. The deal encompasses four of Swiggy's well-known virtual restaurant brands: The Bowl Company (TBC), Homely, Soul Rasa, and Istah.
According to the official stock exchange filing by Swiggy, this partnership will see Kouzina taking complete operational control of these brands, with responsibilities spanning day-to-day operations, future development initiatives, and market expansion strategies. The agreement further stipulates that upon fulfillment of specific predetermined conditions, Swiggy will completely transfer ownership of these brands to Kouzina.
Strategic Realignment of Swiggy's Cloud Kitchen Operations
This latest development represents a continuation of Swiggy's broader strategic realignment of its cloud kitchen division. The Bengaluru-headquartered food delivery platform has been systematically restructuring its virtual restaurant operations over recent years. A notable precedent was established in 2023 when Swiggy transferred its Access Kitchens business to Kitchens@ through a share swap arrangement.
The current agreement with Kouzina appears to follow a similar strategic direction, allowing Swiggy to focus on its core food delivery business while ensuring its developed brands continue to thrive under specialized management.
Expansion Plans Under Kouzina's Leadership
Gautam Balijepalli, Co-founder and CEO of Kouzina Food Tech, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership's potential: "Under Kouzina, we'll scale these brands even faster, expanding into new markets through our asset-light expansion model. Homely is live in select Bengaluru locations, with The Bowl Company launching later this week. We're also preparing to expand to more cities soon."
The implementation of this transition is already underway, with Homely currently operational in selected areas of Bengaluru. The Bowl Company, one of Swiggy's most recognizable virtual brands, is scheduled to relaunch under Kouzina's management later this week, with plans for rapid expansion into additional markets.
The Legacy of Swiggy's Digital Food Brands
Swiggy originally launched these digital-first food brands to address specific gaps in the food delivery marketplace. The Bowl Company, introduced in 2017, gained popularity for its signature offerings including:
- Peri Peri Chicken Rice Bowl
- Nawabi Paneer Lababdar Rice Bowl
- Drunken Chicken Rice Bowl
- Dhaba Style Dal Tadka Rice Bowl
These brands were developed to provide customers with convenient, high-quality meal options that maintained consistency across orders – addressing common challenges in the food delivery ecosystem.
Arpit Mathur, Vice President at Swiggy, highlighted that Kouzina's specialized digital-first, asset-light operational model positions it ideally to further scale these brands and expand their market presence.
Kouzina's Growth Trajectory and Future Plans
Kouzina Food Tech has established a substantial operational foundation, currently collaborating with over 250 kitchen partners across more than 100 cities in India. The company has been actively expanding its portfolio through strategic acquisitions and investments.
Recent business moves include the acquisition of Vasudev Adiga's and an investment in Shark Tank-featured MOPP Foods. With the addition of Swiggy's digital brands, Kouzina is now actively seeking franchise partners to drive further growth through its network of cloud kitchens.
The company has set ambitious long-term objectives, aiming to build a robust and sustainable business model with plans to pursue an initial public offering (IPO) within the next five years.
This partnership represents a significant development in India's evolving food-tech landscape, highlighting how specialized operators are increasingly taking leadership roles in scaling digital food brands while platform companies refocus on their core services.
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