Third Wave Coffee (TWC) was established Bengaluru, India, in 2016. In 2024, the company had 114 outlets in different regions of India. Though TWC increased its revenue manifold due to rapid expansion, the operational efficiency remained poor compared to the competition. Most stores lost money, and investors were concerned about the firm’s future. The founders roped in a professional CEO, Rajat Luthra, a quick-service restaurants industry veteran, .....more

The case examines a Philadelphia-based craft vodka brand, Stateside Vodka (Stateside), that prides itself on quality ingredients and a strong local identity. With growing demand and brand recognition in its home market, the company is contemplating an international expansion strategy. Stateside is exploring various aspects of the expansion process, including market analysis, strategic positioning, brand development, and potential international growth, .....more

In October 2025, the newly elected president of Hotel Association Uttarkashi in the beautiful yet fragile landscape of Uttarkashi, India was grappling with the region’s economic and environmental challenges. Uttarkashi’s tourism-driven economy was highly dependent on a narrow six-month window (May to November) aligned with pilgrimage to sacred sites. The surge in tourists during this peak period tended to drive short-term profits, but it also overburdened .....more

Haumana Bars, founded in 2017 by Sidi Ba and Guillaume Bourque, was a Montreal-based, socially innovative company driven by a social mission. It specialized in producing ethically sourced energy bars containing a special superfood: the baobab fruit, ethically sourced from a women’s co-operative in Senegal. As the company engaged with suppliers and investors, it confronted diverging interests, such as the pressure to adopt individual packaging for .....more

Xiangzi Hotpot, a high-end Chinese restaurant brand established in 2015 in Toronto, Canada, had successfully attracted a large number of Chinese customers with its authentic Chengdu flavour and exquisite decor. The interior design replicated the traditional appearance of Kuanzhai Xiangzi in Chengdu, providing customers with an immersive cultural experience. However, with the intensification of market competition, especially in the social media space, .....more

Madras Spice, a restaurant founded in 2018 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, was known for its authentic South Indian cuisine. The company recorded total sales revenue of ?4.2 million in fiscal year (FY) 2024, a 10 per cent increase from FY 2023 to FY 2024. Although business seemed stable, the founder, Gaurav Saxena, was feeling pressure. Despite the steady growth and a loyal customer base, rising competition, increasing operational costs, and limited capital .....more

This case follows Reman Hamed, the founder of mwanzo, an ethical, Africa-focused chocolate brand in Egypt. Concerned by exploitation in the African chocolate industry, Hamed launched mwanzo in 2023, self-financing the venture and sourcing cocoa beans ethically from Ghana and Madagascar. Within a year, she had built a strong presence in Egypt’s premium chocolate market, but limited resources and economic challenges restricted her brand’s growth. By .....more

Ubuntu Eats was a socially driven food business based in Alberta, Canada, founded in 2018. The company operated as a for-profit social enterprise that aimed to empower youth, particularly those facing employment barriers such as mental health challenges or disabilities, by providing paid employment and skills training in food production. While Ubuntu Eats had grown steadily, expanding its product offerings and reaching new retail and hospitality partners, .....more

In October 2024, the chief operating officer (COO) of Nordique Hospitality (Nordique), a hotel chain in Quebec, Canada, was facing an issue with one of his hotel general managers (GMs). The GM had recently requested a transfer to another Nordique hotel, citing mental fatigue as a reason. However, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Nordique was not in favour of the transfer, and the COO himself had not handled the request well. The GM had since become .....more

An Indigenous chef and entrepreneur based in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, with deep ties to the land and a passion for storytelling through food, is at a pivotal moment in his career. He is considering two distinct entrepreneurial paths: expanding on his love of foraging through an education program or launching an Indigenous-inspired restaurant. Each option reflects different aspects of his identity, goals, and vision for the future. This case .....more