Westlife Foodworld Limited submitted its Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) for the financial year 2025-26 to the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange on August 4, 2026. The filing, which forms part of the company’s annual report, outlines its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, highlighting significant strides in resource efficiency and waste management across its quick-service restaurant operations in West and South India.

The submission was made by Dr Shatadru Sengupta, Company Secretary, confirming that the disclosures are prepared on a consolidated basis unless otherwise specified. SGS India Private Limited provided reasonable assurance for the BRSR Core Indicators in accordance with International Standard on Assurance Engagements (ISAE) 3000 (Revised) and ISAE 3410. The assurance covered key metrics including greenhouse gas emissions, water footprint, energy consumption, waste management, and employee well-being.

Environmental Performance

Westlife Foodworld reported substantial improvements in energy and water stewardship during FY 2025-26. The company implemented an Energy Management System (EMS) across 450 restaurants, representing 94% of its total operational outlets. These initiatives, which include solar panels, LED lighting, and energy-efficient HVAC systems, resulted in savings of 19.4 million units of electricity. Consequently, the company achieved a reduction of over 16,000 tons of CO₂ emissions, equivalent to the carbon absorption capacity of over 7.4 lakh mature trees.

Water conservation measures also yielded significant results, with savings of 16 million liters through the use of waterless urinals, low-flow aerators, and high-water recovery reverse osmosis systems. The company has pledged to implement EMS in 100% of its restaurants by FY30 and aims to reach global net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 under the Climate Neutral Now initiative.

Waste Management and Sourcing

The company emphasized its commitment to circular economy practices, recycling more than 99% of discarded cooking oil into biodiesel. Westlife Foodworld has eliminated 100% of single-use customer-facing plastics and transitioned to sustainable packaging alternatives. All paper used for packaging is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified, and 100% of palm oil, coffee, and fish are sourced sustainably. Over 99% of inputs are locally sourced, ensuring traceability back to farms.

Social Impact and Governance

On the social front, women constitute 42% of the company’s workforce, reflecting ongoing progress in gender diversity. The company reported no safety-related incidents during the year and maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards bribery, corruption, and human rights violations. Ronald McDonald House India, supported by the company, assisted over 7,300 beneficiaries through Family Rooms and provided more than 2,100 overnight stays in the last six months, aiding families of critically ill children.

The Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (SCSR) Committee oversees the company’s ESG strategy, ensuring alignment with stakeholder expectations and regulatory requirements. The Board of Directors retains ultimate responsibility for the implementation and oversight of business responsibility policies.

Westlife Foodworld has scheduled its 43rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) for August 26, 2026, to be conducted via Video Conferencing or Other Audio Visual Means (VC/OAVM). The meeting aims to transact ordinary and special business, including the adoption of audited financial statements for FY25-26 and the appointment of directors. Crucially for shareholders, the Board declared an interim dividend of ₹0.40 per equity share during its July 30, 2026 meeting, based on the quarterly performance ended June 30, 2026 (FY26-27), with a record date fixed for August 7, 2026.

The AGM notice, submitted under Regulation 34 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, outlines specific actions required from investors. Members holding shares as on the cut-off date of August 19, 2026, are eligible to vote. The remote e-voting period runs from August 21, 2026, at 9:00 am to August 25, 2026, at 5:00 pm. The facility is provided by MUFG Intime India Private Limited (formerly Link Intime India Private Limited). Physical attendance is not permitted, aligning with Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) circulars allowing virtual meetings.

Key Agenda Items

Shareholders will vote on several resolutions during the virtual session:

Dr Deepa Bhajekar’s appointment as a Non-Executive Independent Director requires shareholder approval via a special resolution. Her tenure will span five consecutive years, effective from July 31, 2026, until July 30, 2031. She holds a PhD in Food Microbiology and has completed the Senior Executive Leadership Program India at Harvard Business School. Her expertise in food quality research and new technology development complements the Board’s existing composition.

Shareholder Participation and Logistics

To participate in the AGM or cast votes, shareholders must ensure their email addresses and bank account mandates are updated with their Depository Participant (DP) or the Registrar and Transfer Agent (RTA). Those without registered emails can access the AGM notice and annual report on the company website (westlife.co.in), BSE, NSE, and the RTA portal.

For members wishing to speak during the meeting, registration is mandatory. Requests must be sent to shatadru@mcdonaldsindia.com by August 24, 2026, at 5:00 pm. Only the first ten registered speakers will be allowed to express views on a first-come-first-served basis. Other participants may engage via an active chat board. The quorum for the meeting will be reckoned based on members attending through VC/OAVM, as per Section 103 of the Companies Act, 2013.

Financial Context and Governance

The declaration of the ₹0.40 interim dividend underscores the company’s commitment to returning value to shareholders amidst steady operational performance. The Board had previously declared an interim dividend of ₹0.75 per share for the preceding period. The AGM also serves as a platform for governance oversight, with the re-appointment of Ms Smita Jatia ensuring continuity in leadership. As a master franchisee of McDonald’s in West and South India, Westlife Foodworld continues to expand its network, having added 48 restaurants in FY25-26 to reach a total of 478 outlets. The upcoming AGM resolutions will further solidify the Board’s strategic direction for future growth and compliance.