Samuthra Group, a diversified conglomerate with 35 companies operating across 11 countries, has acquired a 50% stake in Singapore-based Nandhana’s Restaurant Group, marking its entry into the international food and hospitality sector. The Group plans to purchase the remaining 50% in phases, with the transaction expected to conclude before April 2027.
Nandhana’s operates eight restaurants in Singapore and is recognised for its authentic South Indian cuisine. Building on the brand’s established presence in the country, Samuthra Group aims to accelerate its international expansion through a master country franchise model. The initial expansion will focus on Asian and Middle Eastern markets, followed by the United States and the United Kingdom.
The expansion is expected to create approximately 2,000 jobs globally, including 1,250 guaranteed placements. It is also projected to channel around S$10 million annually into India through ingredient sourcing, food processing, culinary training, and related investments.
Commenting on the acquisition, Dr. Subash Sukumar, Founder and Chairman, Samuthra Group, said, “The acquisition of Nandhana’s marks Samuthra Group’s strategic entry into the international food and hospitality sector and is an important step in our vision to take established Indian food brands to global markets. With a strong presence in Singapore, Nandhana’s offers a valuable platform for expansion across Asia, the Middle East, the US and the UK.”
“Our ambition goes beyond building an international restaurant network. We aim to create a sustainable cross-border business ecosystem that generates employment, strengthens India’s agricultural and food-processing sectors, and opens global opportunities for Indian culinary talent. By integrating international restaurant operations with sourcing, food production, and skills development in India, we expect to create long-term economic value while taking authentic Indian cuisine to the world,” Dr. Sukumar added.
Welcoming the partnership, Mr. Sivavadivel, Chairman, Nandhana’s Restaurant Group, said, “Nandhana’s has built a loyal customer base in Singapore by staying true to its South Indian culinary roots and consistently delivering authentic flavours. We are proud of the brand and the dedicated team behind its growth. Our partnership with Samuthra Group marks an exciting new chapter, providing the scale and international reach to take Nandhana’s to new markets while preserving the quality, identity, and values that our customers have come to trust. We look forward to building on this strong foundation together.”
The acquisition covers a 50% stake in the six companies operating Nandhana’s, Shri Balavinayagar, Nandhanas Express and Ministry of Briyani in Singapore. The deal also includes their central kitchen and food production facilities. Samuthra Group will acquire the remaining 50% in phases, targeting completion before April 2027.
Meanwhile, all eight existing outlets will continue operating without changes to their menus, workforce, or customer service. The current management team, led by Mr. Sivavadivel, will remain responsible for operations to ensure a smooth transition and maintain business continuity.
Under its international expansion strategy, Samuthra Group will take Nandhana’s into overseas markets through a master country franchise model. The arrangement will offer exclusive country-level partnerships backed by the Group’s culinary expertise, recipes, training programmes, supply chain, and operational capabilities.
The first phase, scheduled to begin in January 2027, will target Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, alongside key Middle Eastern markets such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman. Subsequently, the second phase, planned for 2028–29, will focus on expansion into the United States and the United Kingdom.
Beyond international expansion, the partnership aims to strengthen employment opportunities and India’s agricultural and food-processing ecosystem. Samuthra Group expects the expansion to generate approximately 2,000 jobs over the next three years, including 1,250 guaranteed placements. These are expected to comprise 100 positions in Singapore, 450 in India, and 680 across international franchise markets, with the remaining jobs arising from the Group’s wider operations and expansion.
Furthermore, the Group expects to direct approximately S$10 million annually into India by sourcing spices, rice, lentils, and ready-to-cook products from farmers, food processors, and exporters across 12 states.
Samuthra Group also plans to recruit and train around 150 chefs annually in India for overseas placements. A dedicated culinary training programme in Bengaluru will prepare candidates for international restaurant operations, creating employment opportunities for Indian culinary professionals in global markets.
