Jubilant to deliver extra cheese on value, with slice of pizza recovery

Domino's Indian franchise gains steam as pizza outpaces burger rivals amid shifting market dynamics

- RAM PRASAD SAHU

Jubilant FoodWorks, India's largest listed quick-service market capitalisation, is expected to maintain its outperformance versus peers with steady performance in the January-March quarter (Q4) of 2023-24 (FY24), faster recovery in the pizza category, strong value offerings, and ongoing expansion.

The stock has delivered a 14 per cent return since the beginning of June, three times the QSR average and twice that of the S&P BSE Sensex during this period.

One key reason for Street's optimism about Jubilant, the Indian franchisee of Domino's Pizza, is the expected reversal in the fortunes of the pizza category. While pizza sales lagged behind burgers in the first half (H1), they showed stronger performance in the latter part of FY24.

According to analysts at Prabhudas Lilladher, led by Amnish Aggarwal, "From the second half of FY24, burger players due to slowdown, geopolitical factors, and possibly competition (other cuisines and new players)."

While pizza chains are nearing the end of their downturn, burger chains are yet to fully experience the effects of rising competitive pressures. Analysts foresee a quicker return to midsingle-digit same-store sales growth (SSSG) for pizza chains compared to burger chains.