Now, Australia’s Cookie Man to offer donuts

After the entry of Dunkin Donuts, it is now the turn of Australia’s Cookie Man to unleash its donut brand, which will be introduced only for the Indian market.

India is Cookie Man’s second largest market outside Australia. “We are entering the donut segment because we want to position Cookie Man as a one-stop bakery shop. Currently, our R&D team is working at our manufacturing base in Chennai and trials are being conducted on the product,” said Anupam Saluja, CEO, Cookie Man.

Cookie Man donuts will be pegged at ₹45, which is almost on par with the existing donut brands from Mad Over Donuts and Dunkin Donuts.

While cookies will continue to be the mainstay of the Australian brand, it has been trying to expand its portfolio with brownies, muffins, puffs, macaroons and even coffee and ice creams.

Not threatened by the existing cookie brands in the market, Cookie Man expects its premium pricing and quality to be its biggest differentiator. At ₹580 for a kg, Cookie Man’s offerings are priced higher than biscuit companies such as Britannia, ITC and Parle, whose cookies are pegged upwards of ₹380. Funded by private equity players – Paracor Capital Advisors and Indian entrepreneur Pattabhi Rama Rao – Cookie Man entered the country in 2001 setting up its manufacturing plant at Ambattur Industrial Estate in Chennai. It is now planning a second manufacturing base in Gurgaon.

With a sales turnover of ₹45 crore, Cookie Man has 70 stores mainly at malls and airports. It is planning to add 20-22 stores every year with the majority being led by franchises.

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