Manchester United Café / Restaurant And Bar Kicks Off In India

PR Log (Press Release) – Jul 15, 2009 – Manchester United Food & Beverage (Asia) Pte Ltd and Billionaire Sports Pvt Ltd proudly announce the launch of India’s first ever Manchester United Restaurant and Bar in the country.

Manchester United, a brand which is both international and historical takes on a theme with The Manchester United Restaurant and Bar that is contemporary English. Key design features of the outlets include the Wall of Fame, the Skybox, the Dugout area and giant projector screens to screen “live” telecast of soccer games and other major sporting events. There is also the popular Managers Bench, a replica of the area where coach and players meet at the playing field and a lively island bar with video walls showing live telecasts of all major sports events. The perfect setting to enjoy a great game with friends.

Manchester United Food & Beverage (Asia) Pte Ltd (“MUFB Asia”), a Singapore holding company has been awarded the exclusive rights by Manchester United Football Club (“MUFC”) to own, operate franchise and develop a chain of Manchester United restaurant and bar concepts in Asia Pacific region. Territories include China, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Philippines and the most recent being India - Mumbai. These restaurant and bar outlets mark MUFC’s first-ever foray into casual dining business on an international scale and Mumbai being the commercial hub and entertainment capital of India is the most privileged city to have the first Manchester United Restaurant and Bar.

Billionaire Sports Pvt Ltd, a company based out of Delhi focusing on sports and lifestyle concepts and services, whose directors are Sachin Kohli and Jatin Suri, are responsible for bringing the esteemed Manchester United Café/Restaurant and Bar to the country.
Manchester United Food & Beverage (Asia) has identified India as a high-potential market with a colossal Manchester United fan base in India at an estimated 20 million. Manchester United is one of the richest clubs in the world with the highest sponsorship revenue among all football clubs.

The flagship outlet, Manchester United Restaurant & Bar will be at Nirmal Lifestyle Mall, Mulund in partnership with Nirmal Lifestyle Ltd.

This project was envisaged and conceptualized by Total Sports Asia (TSA), Asia’s leading sports marketing firm. This venture marks Manchester United’s first foray into India in terms of branded cafes and restaurants.

On the announcement of the launch of Manchester United Restaurant and Bar,
Mr. Andy Yun, Chief Executive Officer of MUFB Asia said, “India is one of the few markets in the world which offers enormous potential and we believe them to be immense for Manchester United Restaurant and Bar.”

He also added, “A Manchester United Restaurant and Bar customer is usually a customer for life, we are certain we will have many such lifelong friends in India soon. Our goal is to establish Manchester United Restaurant and Bar as a leading operator and franchisor of casual dining restaurant and bar in the Asia Pacific Region.”

In India, Billionaire Sports Pvt Ltd (BSPL) is the partner for MUFB Asia. Sachin Kohli & Jatin Suri, Directors of BSPL said “We are very excited to bring the biggest sports brand in the world to India in a unique experience never before. This would be the ideal combination of dining, partying and sports events. We would also be bringing all the much awaited Manchester United merchandise for the first time to the country.”

“Nirmal Lifestyle is proud to be associated with this initiative. Sports is an integrated part of the growth strategy that Nirmal Lifestyle has setup for itself, and all of Nirmal’s projects have given emphasis in creating global sporting infrastructure for India. We are extremely happy with the alliance and are confident that the association will generate a long term value for both the brands”, said Mr. Dharmesh Jain, Chairman and Managing Director, Nirmal Group.”

Suvrangsu Mukherjee, Managing Director of Total Sports Asia (TSA), Indian Subcontinent said “This is part of another endeavor from TSA to work with top notch brands and let them permeate spaces beyond their natural sports existence. With over 20 million Manchester United fans in India and an increasing café going culture among the youth, the timing for the launch of Manchester United Restaurants and Cafes is perfect. We are sure that these outlets will help bring the brand closer to consumers apart from offering world class cuisine and a stadium like atmosphere during the screening of matches.”

Manchester United Restaurant and Bar is a full service, casual all-day dining restaurants that feature predominantly western cuisine and local specialties to suit the taste buds of diners across the region. In addition, there is also strong emphasis on creative cocktails, live telecast of sports events, “live” entertainment from popular artistes and special themed parties. It is a place where likeminded individuals gather over great drinks and food, to share a laugh.

Glory Glory Manchester United!

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