4700BC popcorn adds a dash of indulgence to Marico’s food portfolio
As the FMCG leading company expects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25% across its food portfolio, its acquisition of premium popcorn brand 4700BC is designed to capture at-home indulgence without abandoning its health-focused roots.
“One of the key learnings we have learned is that while consumers are willing to spend on healthier options, they are not willing to compromise on taste,” said Marico CEO and MD Saugata Gupta. he said. Mint. “This is where the 4700BC fits well into our food portfolio.”
Founded in 2012 as a premium packaged popcorn brand, 4700BC was acquired by multiplex operator PVR in 2015. ₹5 crore. Marico acquired just over 93% of the brand this week. ₹226.83 crore.
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In 25 Fiscal Year revenues ₹98.66 crore, the deal values the company at around 2.4 times its last reported annual revenue. Marico said in an exchange filing that 4700BC has reached a transaction rate of 100,000 on an annual basis. ₹140 crore in the December 2025 quarter. Reports from research platform Tracxn show that the brand’s losses have more than doubled compared to the same period last year and are just above that ₹16 crore in FY25.
Marico’s food portfolio grew 5% year-on-year in the December 2025 quarter as some products were rationalized and Saffola edible oils saw a decline in volumes and remained flat in value terms, the company said in its earnings release.
However, the company reiterated that it is on track to grow its food portfolio to eight times its fiscal 2020 size. Marico reported 8% growth in volumes and 27% growth in consolidated revenue in the December quarter. ₹3,537 crore, while profit after tax increased by 12% YoY ₹447 crore.
Portfolio fit
Marico’s food portfolio is largely based on health and wellness brands. These include Saffola, which sells oats, honey and soy chunks, and premium brand True Elements, which Marico first took a stake in 2022. The company also owns Plix, which was acquired in 2023 and sells supplements such as apple cider vinegar.
“Plix strengthens our presence in nutraceuticals and also gives us a foothold in personal care,” Gupta said. “Saffola and Real Elements remain strong in wellness, but not in indulgence. And that’s the gap we aim to fill.”
He added that Marico is looking to join the emerging “foodie but better for you” space. “Our digital playbook focuses on creating adjacencies and filling those gaps that we have a right to win. With 4700 BC, we now have a place in the premium gourmet snack category.”
Marico is now entering a space where its competitors have significantly increased their snacking presence. ITC has a huge portfolio with Bingo! snacks, Sunfeast biscuits and 2024 health game launch Right Shift, as well as recent ventures into frozen snacks such as Meatigo and Prasuma.
Tata Consumer Products has also scaled aggressively through healthier brands such as Soulfull and pan-Asian snacks under the banner Ching’s Secret (Capital Foods). In contrast, HUL doesn’t have a savory snack game; It sells soup and packaged noodles under the Knorr brand and ice cream under Kwality Walls. He split this business in December last year.
channel expansion
In recent years, 4700BC has expanded its portfolio to include premium snacks such as: makhana and nachos made with avocado oil. It also took advantage of new sales channels, including business class offers from airlines such as Etihad and Qatar Airways.
However, Gupta said most of the brand’s sales now come from online platforms, with only a small portion coming from PVR-Inox cinemas.
“The brand has now grown significantly thanks to flash merchandising and e-commerce,” he said. “With the rise of OTT entertainment and increased at-home snack consumption, this brand has entered the living room.”
Gupta added that Marico will continue the brand’s sales arrangement across 50+ PVR-Inox theaters and will also expand distribution through modern trade and general trade using Marico’s existing network.
Snacks explosion
India’s snacks industry is attracting increasing attention from strategic and financial investors. Last week, Gujarat-based Balaji Wafers sold 7% stake to US private equity firm General Atlantic at a valuation of Rs 200,000. ₹35,000 crore. Separately, LVMH-backed L Catterton has acquired a minority stake in rival Haldiram.
India’s delicious snacks market is valued as follows: ₹50,800 crore in FY24, according to a report by research and advisory firm The Knowledge Company. Traditional snacks like namkeen and bhujia still account for more than half of the market.
“Consumers still long for the traditional snacks they love, but they now demand the quality assurance that comes in a reliable, sealed package,” the report said. “The key opportunity lies at the intersection of India’s two strongest trends: health and tradition.”
“The market is ripe for products such as baked namkins, millet-based snacks, roasted makhanas in regional flavors and snacks enriched with seeds and legumes,” the report said.
