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 reported significant margin improvements driven by effective cost management strategies. The company's restaurant operating margin expanded by 150 basis points year-on-year, while operating EBITDA margin grew by 70 basis points during the same period, demonstrating strong operational efficiency despite challenging market conditions.

Operational Performance Highlights

The company's margin expansion reflects successful cost optimization efforts that more than offset the impact of increased advertising expenditure. This performance showcases management's ability to maintain operational discipline while continuing to invest in brand promotion and customer acquisition.

Strategic Initiatives and Outlook

Westlife Foodworld expects gross margins to remain stable in the near term, supported by strategic initiatives in key markets. The company has introduced new promotional campaigns in the West region, specifically designed to protect margins while maintaining competitive positioning.

Future Growth Prospects

Management anticipates continued EBITDA margin growth as operational metrics improve. The company expects this growth trajectory to accelerate when same-store sales performance begins to show improvement, indicating confidence in the underlying business fundamentals and market recovery potential.

The combination of cost optimization success and strategic promotional activities positions Westlife Foodworld for sustained margin expansion, reflecting the company's focus on operational excellence and market share protection.