Chennai-based A2B (Adyar Ananda Bhavan), a restaurant chain, enters $180 Million Deal with Bodhi Tree Systems, which will acquire a majority stake in the company. Announced on November 12, 2026, the transaction is aimed at accelerating A2B's expansion across India and international markets while strengthening its management and operational capabilities.
Key Highlights
- Chennai-based A2B enters a $180 million deal with Bodhi Tree Systems for a majority stake.
- The partnership will support A2B's expansion, technology investments, management development and preparations for a potential stock market listing.
The partnership will also focus on preparing A2B for a potential stock market listing, as the restaurant chain looks to scale its business and build on its established presence in the food services industry.
Bodhi Tree Systems to Acquire Majority Stake in A2B
Under the agreement, Bodhi Tree Systems will acquire a majority stake in A2B. Uday Shankar, co-founder of Bodhi Tree Systems, will become chairman of A2B's board following the transaction.
Bodhi Tree is an investment platform backed by James Murdoch's Lupa Systems and Uday Shankar. The partnership will focus on the investments in technology, operational efficiency and business capabilities, as well as reinforcing A2B's management structure.
The investors also plan to support the company with its preparation for a potential public listing as it moves forward to its next stage of growth.
A2B Expands from Sweet Shop to Multi-Location Food Services Business
Established almost 50 years ago by brothers K T Srinivasa Raja and his brother, A2B has grown to be a diversified food services company from a sweet shop. Currently, the firm has about 160 stores in India and over 30 countries.
With a workforce of over 15,000 employees, A2B has a strong presence in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. It operates in the businesses of restaurants, traditional sweets, savouries and packaged food products.
In the rest of the world, the company is present in Singapore, the United States, Australia, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom for solid market presence.
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A2B Partnership to Support Expansion and Management Strengthening
With the partnership, A2B will gain access to more resources and capabilities to grow its operations and enhance the business infrastructure. Technology adoption, operational improvements and management development will be central to the collaboration.
Speaking of the development, A2B co-founder K T Srinivasa Raja said that his business, which was started with his brother around 50 years ago as a sweet shop, had become a part of every family's routine. The partnership with Bodhi Tree would be valuable in terms of resources and capabilities needed to support the company's next phase of growth, he said.
James Murdoch and Uday Shankar said that A2B's brand recognition, trust among its customers and its global reach were significant reasons for the investment.
Ahead of a potential public listing, A2B will leverage on Bodhi Tree's support to grow its restaurant and packaged-food enterprises, increase its market presence and enhance its organisation.
