Marico has announced that it has signed definitive agreements to acquire a 93.27% stake in Zea Maize Private Limited, the parent company of gourmet snacking brand 4700BC, from PVR INOX Limited. The transaction has marked a strategic expansion of Marico’s foods business, as it has continued to scale its presence in fast-growing snacking categories.
4700BC, founded in 2013 by Chirag Gupta, has built a strong position in India’s premium snacking segment with its popcorn portfolio and adjacent offerings such as popped chips, makhana, crunchy corn and nachos. The brand has established distribution across offline retail, e-commerce, and institutional channels including airlines and cinemas, targeting urban consumers seeking premium, contemporary snack options.
As part of the agreement, PVR INOX has exited its complete stake in Zea Maize, while founder Chirag Gupta has retained equity and continued to lead the business. Marico has aimed to accelerate the brand’s growth through expanded product innovation, deeper multi-channel distribution, and a stronger premium brand strategy anchored in emerging snacking segments.
The acquisition has reflected Marico’s broader ambition to strengthen its foods portfolio by investing in high-growth, differentiated brands with strong consumer resonance. For PVR INOX, the transaction has represented the monetization of a non-core asset after supporting the brand through its formative years.
Saugata Gupta, MD and CEO, Marico, 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, MD, PVR INOX 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.”
