L Catterton bets on India's 'snacking renaissance' via first dedicated India fund

PE major L Catterton is deploying its first India-dedicated fund into healthy snacking and branded foods, having closed three deals including Haldiram, Farmlink and Healing Apps. With packaged foods just 15% of India's food consumption versus 60-70% in developed markets, the firm sees long runway in branded snacking.

— Source publishedMon, 6 Jul, 2026, 16:01 IST·First seen Mon, 6 Jul, 2026, 16:09 IST·Source ET Small Business

What happened

PE major L Catterton is running its first dedicated India fund, betting on healthy snacking and branded foods. It has closed three deals including Haldiram,

Key facts

  • USD 40 billion global value
  • three investments closed
  • packaged foods 15% of India food consumption
  • 60-70% in developed markets
  • 55% below middle class

Why this matters

With a major PE player actively consolidating Indian branded foods via Haldiram, Farmlink and Healing Apps, expect intensifying competition for quality snacking assets and rising valuations for M&A targets.

What to watch

  • Fund size disclosure and pace of additional India deal announcements
  • Haldiram/Farmlink revenue and margin trajectory post-investment
  • Quick-commerce penetration of branded packaged snacks
  • Valuation multiples on next branded-foods transactions
  • Any IPO filing or strategic exit from the portfolio
  • L Catterton adds 2-4 more India food/consumer deals within 12-18 months to deploy the maiden fund
  • Portfolio brands accelerate quick-commerce and modern-trade distribution partnerships
  • Incumbent FMCG majors defensively acquire or partner with emerging healthy-snack D2C brands
  • Rival PE (Blackstone, Temasek, Advent) and consumer VCs raise India-consumption vehicles