Chennai-based Adyar Ananda Bhavan (A2B), one of South India’s best-known restaurant and sweets brands, has sold a majority stake to Bodhi Tree Systems for $180 million (approximately ₹1,600 crore). The investment marks a major development in India’s food services sector, as the 50-year-old company looks to expand its presence in domestic and international markets.
Bodhi Tree Systems is backed by James Murdoch’s Lupa Systems and co-founded by Murdoch and former media executive Uday Shankar. As part of the partnership, Shankar will become chairperson of A2B’s new board of directors.
A2B Targets Global Expansion
Founded by brothers K.T. Srinivasa Raja and K.T. Venkatesan in the late 1970s, A2B started as a sweet shop and gradually expanded into a major South Indian food brand.
The company currently operates around 160 outlets across India and more than 30 international outlets, with a workforce of over 15,000 employees. Its overseas presence includes Singapore, the United States, Australia, Malaysia and the United Kingdom.
A2B has a strong presence in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, with businesses spanning restaurants, packaged sweets and savouries.
The investment will support the company’s expansion into new markets, including western India and Europe, while strengthening its existing operations.
Focus on Modernisation and Technology
The partnership will focus on strengthening A2B’s leadership team, developing digital capabilities and modernising its kitchens and manufacturing facilities to global standards.
The company also plans to expand its range of healthy and nutritious food products and strengthen its restaurant and packaged food businesses.
The investment is expected to help A2B build a professionally managed business with the scale and capabilities to compete in international markets.
Potential Stock Market Listing
A2B’s co-founder K.T. Srinivasa Raja said the partnership would help prepare the company for public markets, allowing customers, employees and investors to participate in its future growth.
While no specific listing timeline has been announced, the proposed transformation signals the company’s ambition to become a publicly listed Indian food business.
For Bodhi Tree Systems, A2B is its third major investment after Allen Career Institute and JioStar. The partnership also highlights growing investor interest in established Indian consumer brands with strong regional identities and opportunities for international expansion.
The deal reflects the increasing potential of India’s regional food businesses to attract institutional investment and build global brands.
