Italian food chain Ci Gusta to enter India

NEW DELHI: Italy-based Happy Time Solutions, owner of Ci Gusta Italian food restaurants, has signed a joint venture agreement with Franchise India to enter the Indian market.

Ci Gusta, which offers products ranging from savory and healthy soups to authentic Italian gelato and coffee specialties, is looking to open its first restaurant in India early next year. It will initially tap only metro and large cities.

Dario Rabboni, MD, Happy Time Solutions says, “The joint venture will help us bring to India and other thriving Asian countries the possibility to enjoy and appreciate authentic Italian food.”

Going ahead, the company will further extend its Ci Gusta chain of restaurants to markets such as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Dubai. Ci Gusta is currently operating in markets such as Italy, Singapore and Rome.

As part of the joint venture Franchise India will help the Italian company with infrastructure, brand building, consultation services and marketing to set up outlets across the country.