Marico acquires controlling stake in gourmet snacking brand 4700BC

Marico Limited has signed definitive agreements to acquire a 93.27% stake in Zea Maize Private Limited from PVR INOX Limited. Zea Maize owns 4700BC, a premium gourmet snacking brand known for popcorn and other snack formats including popped chips, makhana, crunchy corn and nachos.

Founded in 2013 by Chirag Gupta, 4700BC was among the first brands to introduce gourmet popcorn in India and has since expanded into multiple snacking categories. The brand has built distribution across offline retail, e-commerce and institutional channels such as airlines and cinemas, and caters primarily to urban consumers seeking premium snacking options. Over the years, it has transitioned from a niche challenger to a recognised player in the organised snacking market.

Post the transaction, 4700BC will continue to be led by its founder, while focusing on expansion through new product launches, strengthening its multi-channel distribution network and further building its premium brand positioning driven by innovation.

Commenting on the acquisition, Saugata Gupta, Managing Director and CEO, Marico Limited, said, “The investment in 4700BC aligns well with Marico’s ambition to participate in fast-growing food categories through distinctive, future-ready brands. We see immense potential in 4700BC as a premium snacking brand with deep consumer connect and proven execution. Together, we will tap the opportunity to leverage our existing scale in foods to broaden the brand’s presence across channels, while staying true to its consumer-first ethos and harnessing its top-notch innovation capabilities.”

Chirag Gupta, Founder, 4700BC, said, “We are delighted to partner with Marico. This marks a defining moment in the brand’s journey. While PVR INOX has played a pivotal role in building scale and credibility, Marico’s FMCG expertise will be instrumental as 4700BC enters its next chapter. With the strong backing and exciting new launches ahead, the focus for us remains on building one of India’s most loved premium snacking brands.”

Ajay Bijli, Managing Director, PVR INOX Limited, said, “We recognized the potential in 4700BC at a very early stage and supported the brand through its formative years. From a niche gourmet popcorn offering, it has grown into a nationally recognized premium snacking brand. As it looks to scale further and broaden its ambition, the brand is well positioned under the stewardship of a scaled FMCG leader like Marico. For PVR INOX, this transaction represents a natural culmination of our strategic role and enables us to monetize a non-core asset.”

The transaction marks Marico’s continued push into the foods and premium snacking segment, as FMCG companies increasingly look to strengthen their presence in fast-growing, value-added food categories.