Hangyo Ice Creams Pvt. Ltd., a leading ice cream brand in South India, is scaling up its operations to cater to rising consumer demand in Karnataka, Kerala, and Goa.
With a daily production capacity of 1.25 lakh litres and an annual turnover of ₹300 crores, the company is actively building on its legacy of innovation, strong regional presence, and strategic growth. As a result, it is steadily solidifying its position in the highly competitive Indian ice cream market.
Hangyo Ice Creams’ impressive growth story traces back to its humble beginnings as a small family-run dairy venture in the late 1980s. Dinesh Pai, now the Executive Chairman, co-founded the company in 1989 under the banner of Srikrishna Milks Pvt. Ltd. Notably, it went on to pioneer Karnataka’s first private-sector dairy, marking a significant milestone in the region’s dairy industry.
Recognizing the need for direct procurement from farmers and localized processing, Hangyo established its first milk plant in Jamkhandi in 1993. This strategic move laid the foundation for expansion into key regions, including North and South Canara, Udupi, and Goa. Additionally, the company established a value-added production unit in Heroor, which further strengthened its regional presence.
A major breakthrough came in 1997 when Dinesh Pai, along with his brother Pradeep Pai, introduced softee ice creams to the Mangalore market after a business trip to Australia. The enthusiastic customer response led to the creation of Hangyo Softees—a regional franchise model that rapidly scaled to over 50 outlets, marking a pivotal step in the brand’s journey.
To address the growing demand for hard ice creams, Hangyo Ice Creams expanded its operations by adding a 1,000-litre production unit at its Heroor facility, followed by two further capacity upgrades. Demonstrating its commitment to innovation and quality, the company established a state-of-the-art greenfield ice cream plant in Kirwatti in 2012. It supports the manufacturing of a diverse range of SKUs, including cups, candy, and novelty ice creams.
Mr. Dinesh Pai, who has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s growth over the past three decades, continues to lead as Executive Chairman. Over the years, his proactive leadership and future-focused strategies have consistently helped Hangyo Ice Creams stay ahead of shifting consumer preferences. Furthermore, he actively represents the brand at prominent global platforms such as ANUGA in Germany and the World Ice Cream Expo in Italy, thereby bringing international best practices to Indian markets.
Backed by a robust distribution network, steady consumer demand, and a growing product lineup, Hangyo is now focused on expanding its footprint in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The company is also continuing to invest in research & development and strengthening its supply chain for long-term growth.
“Our goal has always been to bring world-class dairy and ice cream products to Indian households, while staying true to our roots and farmer-first philosophy,” said Dinesh Pai. “We are committed to innovation, quality, and sustainable growth as we move into our next phase of expansion.”
