PVR INOX has exited its gourmet popcorn brand 4700 BC by selling its entire stake to FMCG major Marico in a deal valued at ₹226.8 crore, marking the end of its nearly decade-long association with the premium snacking brand.
PVR INOX has fully exited its investment in the gourmet popcorn brand 4700 BC, selling its stake to Marico for ₹226.8 crore. With this transaction, PVR INOX brings to an end its nearly 10-year-long association with the premium snacking brand.
PVR INOX first invested in Zea Maize, the company that owns the 4700 BC brand, in 2015, acquiring a 70% stake for approximately ₹5 crore. At the time, 4700 BC was positioned as a gourmet popcorn brand, which has since evolved into a national premium snacking platform.
In FY25, Zea Maize reported 35% year-on-year revenue growth, with sales crossing ₹102 crore, up from ₹75.8 crore in the previous financial year.
4700 BC has expanded well beyond popcorn and now has a presence in more than 10 snacking categories.
The brand’s next growth phase will be driven by:
Expansion in general trade and modern retail
A wider distribution network
Entry into new complementary snacking categories
India’s overall snacking market was valued at approximately ₹45,000 crore in FY23 and is projected to grow to ₹85,000 crore by FY30, at an estimated 9% CAGR.
The premium snacking segment is expected to grow even faster, with:
Estimated 20% CAGR
Market size projected to reach ₹24,000 crore by FY30
4700 BC aims to capture a meaningful share of this rapidly expanding premium segment.
Interestingly, PVR INOX had made an additional investment of ₹44.7 crore in FY25 in Zea Maize. This funding was intended to:
Expand manufacturing capacity
Strengthen presence in retail outlets
Hire senior talent across sales, operations and marketing
However, with this transaction, PVR INOX has successfully monetised its investment, treating the deal as a strategic exit from a non-core asset.
PVR INOX Managing Director Ajay Bijli said that the company recognised the potential of 4700 BC at a very early stage and supported the brand through its formative years. He noted that the brand has grown from a gourmet popcorn concept into a national-level premium snacking brand. As the brand now enters a phase of large-scale expansion, he said its future looks stronger with a scaled FMCG leader like Marico. He added that for PVR INOX, the deal represents a natural step in monetising a non-core asset.
Marico Managing Director and CEO Saugata Gupta said the investment aligns with the company’s long-term food business strategy.
He stated that 4700 BC has demonstrated strong consumer connect and execution as a premium snacking brand. With Marico’s scale and food distribution network, the company sees significant potential to expand the brand rapidly across multiple channels, while preserving its innovation-led and consumer-first approach.