The Rise of Drools: From Local Brand to Global Contender

Since its founding in 2010 by businessman Fahim Sultan, Drools has grown to be well-known among pet owners in India. The company offers a large range of high-protein and prescription meals for dogs and cats, with over 650 SKUs. Its products are currently shipped to 22 countries and sold in over 40,000 retail locations. Drool has six manufacturing facilities as part of its infrastructure. The warehouse space is 1.6 million square feet. And more than 3,400 employees, of whom more than half are in sales.

Nestlé’s Strategic Financial Move

Nestlé, the Swiss company, has announced a financial deal with Drools. This deal allows Drools to keep control over its operations and strategy. Nestlé did not share the exact amount of the investment. This move fits with Nestlé’s plan to support growing consumer brands and explore high-growth markets.  

This deal follows a $60 million investment by L Catterton in June 2023, which valued Drools at $600 million, highlighting how rapidly the company has scaled in under a year.

India’s Pet Food Market Is Booming

India’s pet care sector is now increasing at a CAGR of more than 20%.  More people are owning pets because they have higher disposable incomes, live in smaller families, and are moving to cities.  By 2028, the market is expected to generate $1.2 billion, making it one of the most promising consumer goods sectors.

Only 10% of households have pets, which shows that pet food is not widely used. This situation creates a great opportunity for companies like Drools to grow.

 Founder’s Vision: Innovation and Trust

Reacting to the development, Fahim Sultan, Founder and MD of Drools, said:

“This milestone reflects the love and trust of millions of pet parents. Our focus remains on science-based nutrition and innovation to serve the evolving needs of Indian pet families.”

 What’s Next for Drools?

With support from Nestlé and L Catterton, Drools is ready to:

– Develop new products

– Improve its distribution within India

– Expand operations into Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

As the pet food market in India grows, Drools becoming a unicorn shows that India is prepared to take a leading role in the global pet care industry.

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