James Murdoch, Uday Shankar's Bodhi Tree to acquire majority stake in A2B for ₹1,696 crore
The partnership will focus on expanding A2B’s domestic and international operations while strengthening its packaged-food business
- Nov 13, 2026,
- Updated Nov 13, 2026 6:52 PM IST
Bodhi Tree Systems, the investment firm led by media executives James Murdoch and Uday Shankar, has agreed to invest James Murdoch, Uday Shankar's Bodhi Tree to acquire majority stake in A2B for ₹1,696 crore to acquire a majority stake in Adyar Ananda Bhavan (A2B), marking its entry into India’s food services sector, as reported by Reuters.
Announced on November 12, the deal aims to transform the popular South Indian vegetarian restaurant and sweets chain into a global Indian food brand.
While the exact stake being acquired has not been disclosed, an industry source cited by Reuters estimated A2B’s valuation at around ₹3,298.42 crore
READ THIS: Who is Shuchi Suri? M&M names former Unilever executive as automotive marketing chief
A2B operates over 190 outlets globally
Founded by brothers K.T. Srinivasa Raja and K.T. Venkatesan, A2B began as a sweet shop and gradually expanded into a major food business offering South Indian vegetarian meals, sweets and savouries.
The company operates around 160 outlets across India and more than 30 overseas outlets, with an international presence in Singapore, the United States, Australia, Malaysia and the United Kingdom. It employs more than 15,000 people and has a particularly strong presence in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Expansion plans and global ambitions
The partnership will focus on expanding A2B’s domestic and international operations while strengthening its packaged-food business. Plans include investing in leadership and talent, improving digital capabilities, and modernising kitchens and manufacturing facilities to meet global standards.
The company also intends to expand its range of healthy and nutritious food products as it looks to cater to changing consumer preferences.
Murdoch and Shankar aim to combine A2B’s established brand and customer base with Bodhi Tree’s investment expertise to build a professionally managed Indian food company with a wider international presence.
A2B considers potential stock market listing
The investment could also help prepare A2B for a potential stock market listing. Co-founder K.T. Srinivasa Raja said the partnership would support the company in becoming ready for public markets, enabling customers, employees and investors to participate in its future growth.
However, no timeline for a potential listing has been announced.
ALSO READ: SpaceX and Tesla merger: Elon Musk's trillion-dollar mega-deal could come as soon as December 2026
Bodhi Tree’s investment strategy
Backed by James Murdoch’s Lupa Systems and Uday Shankar, Bodhi Tree Systems has previously invested in businesses including ALLEN Career Institute and JioStar, the media and entertainment joint venture between Reliance and Disney.
The A2B transaction marks its first investment in the food sector, reflecting its interest in established consumer businesses with significant growth potential.
The deal comes amid rising investor interest in India’s traditional food brands. In 2025, Singapore-based Temasek acquired a stake in Haldiram’s snacks business in a transaction that valued the business at roughly ₹94,034.60 crore.
Bodhi Tree Systems, the investment firm led by media executives James Murdoch and Uday Shankar, has agreed to invest James Murdoch, Uday Shankar's Bodhi Tree to acquire majority stake in A2B for ₹1,696 crore to acquire a majority stake in Adyar Ananda Bhavan (A2B), marking its entry into India’s food services sector, as reported by Reuters.
Announced on November 12, the deal aims to transform the popular South Indian vegetarian restaurant and sweets chain into a global Indian food brand.
While the exact stake being acquired has not been disclosed, an industry source cited by Reuters estimated A2B’s valuation at around ₹3,298.42 crore
READ THIS: Who is Shuchi Suri? M&M names former Unilever executive as automotive marketing chief
A2B operates over 190 outlets globally
Founded by brothers K.T. Srinivasa Raja and K.T. Venkatesan, A2B began as a sweet shop and gradually expanded into a major food business offering South Indian vegetarian meals, sweets and savouries.
The company operates around 160 outlets across India and more than 30 overseas outlets, with an international presence in Singapore, the United States, Australia, Malaysia and the United Kingdom. It employs more than 15,000 people and has a particularly strong presence in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Expansion plans and global ambitions
The partnership will focus on expanding A2B’s domestic and international operations while strengthening its packaged-food business. Plans include investing in leadership and talent, improving digital capabilities, and modernising kitchens and manufacturing facilities to meet global standards.
The company also intends to expand its range of healthy and nutritious food products as it looks to cater to changing consumer preferences.
Murdoch and Shankar aim to combine A2B’s established brand and customer base with Bodhi Tree’s investment expertise to build a professionally managed Indian food company with a wider international presence.
A2B considers potential stock market listing
The investment could also help prepare A2B for a potential stock market listing. Co-founder K.T. Srinivasa Raja said the partnership would support the company in becoming ready for public markets, enabling customers, employees and investors to participate in its future growth.
However, no timeline for a potential listing has been announced.
ALSO READ: SpaceX and Tesla merger: Elon Musk's trillion-dollar mega-deal could come as soon as December 2026
Bodhi Tree’s investment strategy
Backed by James Murdoch’s Lupa Systems and Uday Shankar, Bodhi Tree Systems has previously invested in businesses including ALLEN Career Institute and JioStar, the media and entertainment joint venture between Reliance and Disney.
The A2B transaction marks its first investment in the food sector, reflecting its interest in established consumer businesses with significant growth potential.
The deal comes amid rising investor interest in India’s traditional food brands. In 2025, Singapore-based Temasek acquired a stake in Haldiram’s snacks business in a transaction that valued the business at roughly ₹94,034.60 crore.