Westlife Foodworld has received a regulatory disclosure from Eastern Trading Company regarding the disposal of shares under SEBI's Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers (SAST) Regulations. The partnership firm filed the mandatory disclosure on February 18, 2026, with both BSE Limited and NSE Limited, detailing a significant reduction in its shareholding.

Share Disposal Details

Eastern Trading Company disposed of 32,47,289 shares representing 2.08% of Westlife Foodworld's total share capital through open market transactions. The disposal period extended from April 2, 2018, to February 17, 2026, indicating a gradual reduction in the firm's position over nearly eight years.

Shareholding Position Changes

The disposal resulted in a notable reduction in Eastern Trading Company's stake in Westlife Foodworld. Prior to the transaction, the firm held 1,15,21,500 shares representing 7.39% of the company's total voting capital. Following the disposal, the holding decreased to 82,74,211 shares, constituting 5.31% of the total shareholding.

Company Structure and Compliance

Eastern Trading Company confirmed in its disclosure that it does not belong to the promoter or promoter group of Westlife Foodworld. The firm maintained no encumbrances, warrants, convertible securities, or other instruments that would entitle it to additional voting rights in the target company throughout the transaction period.

Westlife Foodworld's equity structure remained stable during this period, with the company maintaining its equity share capital of Rs. 31,18,72,330 divided into 15,59,36,165 equity shares of Rs. 2 each. The shares continue to be listed on both BSE Limited and NSE Limited.

Regulatory Framework

The disclosure was made under Regulation 29(2) of SEBI (SAST) Regulations, 2011, which mandates disclosure of substantial acquisitions or disposals of shares. Eastern Trading Company, operating from its Mumbai office at One Lodha Place, Lower Parel, filed the disclosure through its authorized signatory Krishan Gopal Modi, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements for transparency in shareholding changes.

Westlife Foodworld has unveiled comprehensive expansion plans targeting 580 to 630 restaurants by 2027, while maintaining its immediate focus on opening 20 to 25 new outlets in Q4 FY26. The company is positioning itself for significant growth in the quick-service restaurant sector with both short-term recovery measures and long-term strategic expansion.

Long-Term Growth Vision

The company's ambitious target of reaching 580 to 630 restaurants by 2027 represents a substantial expansion of its current footprint. This strategic vision demonstrates Westlife Foodworld's commitment to becoming a dominant player in India's quick-service restaurant market over the next few years.

Immediate Expansion Plans

For the immediate term, Westlife Foodworld is planning to open 20 to 25 new outlets in Q4 FY26. This expansion is specifically designed to make up for previous quarters, indicating the company's efforts to accelerate growth and meet its expansion targets after potential delays in earlier periods.

Recent Performance Indicators

The company has reported positive same-store sales growth in January, accompanied by good guest count growth. These metrics indicate improving operational performance and customer engagement. However, management remains cautious about declaring a full recovery, preferring to see more consistent progress before confirming a long-term recovery trend.

The combination of immediate expansion plans and long-term growth targets, supported by recent positive performance indicators, positions Westlife Foodworld for sustained growth in the competitive quick-service restaurant landscape.