Bodhi Tree Systems acquires majority stake in Adyar Ananda Bhavan for $180M

Chennai-based restaurant chain Adyar Ananda Bhavan (A2B), operating both domestically and internationally, has sold a controlling stake to Bodhi Tree Systems for a sum of $180 million. A2B operates 160 outlets in India, primarily in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, with an additional 30 locations overseas in Malaysia, the US, Australia, Canada, the UK, and Singapore. The company employs over 15,000 people in total.

Bodhi Tree Systems, a strategic investment and operating platform founded in 2021 by James Murdoch, son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, and Uday Shankar, a former Star India and Disney executive, announced the acquisition. The co-founders expressed trust in A2B's consistent and reliable quality, having opened its first outlet in Chennai in 1979, selling sweets and savouries.

Following the transaction, Shankar will chair A2B's new board of directors. Bodhi Tree Systems praised A2B's brand strength in India and its global reach, particularly in Singapore, the US, Australia, Malaysia, and the UK. They are eager to collaborate with A2B's team to expand its authentic cuisine on a larger global stage. Bodhi Tree Systems noted that A2B's success in South Indian cuisine is unparalleled, with a deep consumer trust and enduring popularity built over generations. The investment aims to scale A2B's operations, capitalizing on its strong presence and reputation.