BreadTalk partners Som Datt Group for India franchise

BREADTALK Group has signed a franchise agreement with Bakekneads, a part of the Som Datt Group, to set up a BreadTalk bakery chain in India's National Capital Region (NCR), which includes Delhi and its surrounding suburbs.

Bakekneads will hold the master franchise to develop and operate the chain in Delhi-NCR, BreadTalk said in a statement on Thursday.

BreadTalk's first flagship store will open in Delhi by the third quarter of 2018.

Som Datt Group is an infrastructure and construction conglomerate in India.

BreadTalk operates close to 1,000 outlets across Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand and the Middle East.

Tan Aik Peng, CEO of BreadTalk's bakery division, said in the statement: "India is a fast growing economy with rising opportunities in its retail sectors especially for Asian-style bakeries.

"Our Singapore team will be working closely with our local partner Som Datt Group to ensure that we better understand the palate and needs of the Indian market."

The counter rose one Singapore cent or 0.61 per cent to close at S$1.66 on Thursday.