Henry Ford Health System signs a franchise venture with KWalls Hospitality

Henry Ford Health System (HFHS), Health and wellness group signs a franchise venture with KWalls Hospitality- Chandigarh-based hospitality and food services firm. The $5-billion American entity looks to gain a foothold in the high-potential wellness food space in India.

KWalls will set up stores branded 'Culinary Wellness' in the country, under this partnership deal. The company typically sells sandwiches, burgers, juices and shakes and even Indian snacks. On the same note, Mark Coticchia, HHFS Vice-President said that India is the first Country outside US where they will be venturing. They saw this as a high-potential market, which offers access to expertise and potential to scale up the intellectual property.

Further he said that the venture was differentiated from the quick-service restaurant (QSR) space. As they are not a fast-food chain, so the focus will be on scientific nutrition, health and wellness and preventive healthcare.

At the same time, the growth in the eating out space has declined from Rs 6,000-crore to low single digits over the past two years as consumers cut down on discretionary spends and the growing competition from app-based home-delivery providers and hyper local start-ups.

Detroit-based HHFS operates stores only within the premises of medical centers and hospitals, in US. Nevertheless in India, HHFS will set up its business under three verticals clubbed under the Culinary Wellness brand.

Sameer Lamba, KWalls Hospitality Managing Director said these will include Culinary Wellness stores, food courts, tie-ups with corporate and subsequently, subscription and app-based home delivery services.

Currently, KWalls Hospitality operates 25 food courts across Delhi-NCR, Punjab, UP and Hyderabad.