Samuthra Group Buys Half of Nandhana's Restaurants
The Indian conglomerate has acquired a 50% stake in the Singapore-based restaurant group and plans to expand it overseas.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Dining Out
Samuthra Group, a diversified Indian business conglomerate, has acquired a 50% stake in Singapore-based Nandhana's restaurant group. The company plans to acquire the remaining 50% in phases before April 2027.
Why it matters
The deal positions Nandhana's for overseas growth through a master franchise model with local operators, which could bring its restaurants to new international markets. The expansion is projected to create around 2,000 jobs worldwide.
Samuthra Group operates 35 companies across 11 countries, and its planned Nandhana's expansion would begin with master franchises in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the UAE in January 2027. Confirmed job placements number 1,250 of a projected 2,000, and the timeline for the second phase into the US and UK remains unannounced.
The players
Samuthra Group
A diversified business conglomerate based in India that was founded in southern Tamil Nadu in 2006 and operates through 35 companies in 11 countries, including Samuthra Cement.
Nandhana's
A Singapore-based restaurant group that Samuthra Group has begun acquiring and plans to expand internationally through master franchises.
The details
Samuthra Group issued a press statement announcing the acquisition and said it will expand Nandhana's overseas through a master franchise model with local operators. The group also plans to spend about S$10 million annually in India on sourcing, food processing and culinary training.
Timeline
January 2027: First phase of master franchise expansion begins.
Before April 2027: Expected completion of the remaining 50% stake acquisition.
2028-29: Second phase of expansion into the US and UK.
Season Trajectory
The master franchise approach lets restaurant brands enter multiple countries quickly by partnering with local operators rather than building company-owned locations. Samuthra's phased plan for Nandhana's follows that model, starting in Southeast Asia and the Middle East before moving to the US and UK.
If the expansion proceeds on schedule, diners in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the UAE could see Nandhana's restaurants open through local franchise operators beginning in 2027. The plan also points to new restaurant jobs, with 1,250 placements already confirmed.
The takeaway
Samuthra Group's phased acquisition and master franchise plan show how a regional restaurant brand can scale internationally through local partners. Readers tracking Nandhana's should watch the January 2027 franchise launch and the April 2027 stake deadline.
What happens next
The remaining 50% stake acquisition is expected before April 2027, and the first master franchise phase begins in January 2027.
Further reading
For more on restaurant expansion trends, see our Dining Out coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by DealStreetAsia.
