MUMBAI: India’s pet care sector just got a global paw of approval. Nestlé S.A., the Swiss consumer goods giant and parent of Nestlé India, has picked up a minority stake in Drools Pet Food Pvt. Ltd., the country’s first home-grown pet food brand. The investment, confirmed on 26 May, does not alter Drools’ operational independence.
The move follows a 2023 investment from L Catterton, a global consumer-focussed private equity firm, which also holds a minority share. With both heavyweights now backing it, Drools appears well-fed for global expansion.
Founded in 2010, Drools has built a robust presence across 40,000 Indian retail outlets and exports to 22 countries. Its recent entry into India’s unicorn club only underscores its appetite for growth.
“This is a testament to the love and trust of millions of pet parents and to our unwavering commitment to quality”, said Drools founder Fahim Sultan. “Backed by a strong focus on science-based nutrition, Drools continues to drive innovation and build meaningful engagement with the evolving demographic of Indian pet parents, positioning itself at the forefront of the country’s pet care industry”.
The company runs six manufacturing units and operates out of a 16-lakh sq. ft. warehousing footprint. With a workforce of 3,400 employees, including 1,800 sales professionals, Drools currently offers over 650 SKUs spanning high-protein, prescription, and value-for-money diets. It also maintains a stronghold in the cat food category and leads pet food sales on platforms like Amazon.
“Drools has achieved significant growth since we invested in the company two years ago”, said L Catterton partner & head of India Anjana Sasidharan. “We are thrilled that Nestlé, that has such a renowned position in the global pet care and consumer brands space, joins as a minority partner”.