Hocco Ice Cream
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and beverage |
| Founded | 1944 |
| Founder | Satish Chona |
| Headquarters | Elanza Vertex, Sindhu Bhavan Marg, Bodakdev, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India |
Key people | Pradeep Chona (Chairman), Ankit Chona (Managing Director) |
| Products | Ice cream, pizzas, sandwiches, desserts, ready-to-eat foods |
| Revenue | ₹220 crore (FY25) |
Number of employees | 250 (2025) |
| Parent | Hocco Foods Private Limited |
| Website | www |
Hocco Ice Cream is an Indian food and beverage company specializing in premium ice creams and quick-service restaurant offerings. Founded in 1944 by Satish Chona in Karachi (then part of India), the company relocated to Ahmedabad, Gujarat, post-partition. Initially a single ice cream parlour, Hocco has grown into a diversified brand with over 100 outlets across India and one in the United States. The company operates under Hocco Foods Private Limited, offering a portfolio that includes ice creams, pizzas, sandwiches, and ready-to-eat meals. Hocco has raised approximately US$30 million in funding and reported ₹220 crore in revenue for FY25, with plans to double this by FY26. The brand emphasizes innovation, premiumization, and a robust cold chain infrastructure to cater to a growing market.[1][2]
Founders & Leadership
Hocco was founded by Satish Chona, an engineer with BOAC, who started an ice cream parlour in Karachi in 1944. Post-partition, he established the first quick-service restaurant (QSR) in Ahmedabad, laying the foundation for the brand's growth.[3]
- Pradeep Chona (Chairman): A second-generation entrepreneur, Pradeep Chona expanded the family’s ice cream business by modernizing manufacturing processes while maintaining quality. He spearheaded the growth of Hocco’s restaurant network across Gujarat and conceptualized combining Indian food with ice cream offerings.[4]
- Ankit Chona (Managing Director): A third-generation entrepreneur, Ankit Chona holds a degree from Purdue University and worked with Panera Bread before joining the family business. He led Hocco’s franchise operations and expanded its ice cream business into neighbouring states. Ankit also founded the premium sub-brand Huber & Holly and is an active investor in startups like Mokobara and Vadham Tea.[4][5]
Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1944 | Satish Chona founded Hocco as an ice cream parlour in Karachi.[3] |
| 1947 | Relocated to Ahmedabad post-partition, opened first QSR at Relief Road.[3] |
| 1974 | Expanded into a casual dine-in restaurant, establishing Hocco as a food service brand.[3] |
| 2017 | Sold legacy brand Havmor to Lotte Confectionery for ₹1,020 crore.[6] |
| 2019 | Launched Hocco as a new brand under Hocco Foods Private Limited.[6] |
| 2023 | Commenced commercial operations, focusing on ice cream and QSR.[5] |
| 2024 | Raised ₹100 crore in funding, valued at ₹600 crore.[7] |
| 2025 | Raised US$10 million in Series B funding, targeting ₹420–450 crore revenue by FY26.[8] |
Funding
| Date | Round | Amount | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 June 2023 | Seed | US$4 million | Sauce VC[1] |
| June 2024 | Series A | ₹100 crore (US$12 million) | Chona Family Office, Sauce VC, Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar[7] |
| February 2025 | Series A | US$1 million | McDonald’s India, MMG Group[9] |
| May 2025 | Series B (First Tranche) | US$10 million | Chona Family Office, Sauce VC[8] |
Business Model
Hocco operates a diversified business model combining premium ice cream production with quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and casual dining. The company generates revenue through direct sales at its 100+ outlets, franchise partnerships, and quick commerce platforms like Zepto, Blinkit, and Swiggy Instamart, which contribute 20% of its revenue.[8] Its customer segments include Gen Z and millennials seeking premium and innovative flavors, as well as families visiting its restaurants for Indian cuisine and desserts. Hocco invests heavily in its cold chain infrastructure, including GPS-enabled trucks and in-house cold rooms, to ensure quality and minimize wastage.[5] The company also operates a premium sub-brand, Huber & Holly, targeting modern trade and exclusive parlours.[9]
Products / Services
Hocco offers a diverse portfolio of 150+ stock keeping units (SKUs), including:
- Ice Creams: Premium flavors like Salted Caramel Popcorn, Pondicherry Vanilla, and Sicilian Pistachio, along with healthier options like sugar-free ice creams (2% of portfolio).[9]
- Boss Bars: Premium extruded ice creams with flavors like biscotti and charcoal lychee.[9]
- Oh-Cone: A cone topped with a chocolate-coated ball.[5]
- BIX: A house-baked cake sandwich.[5]
- Food Offerings: Pizzas, sandwiches, chana puri, bhaji pav, burgers, wraps, samosas, cutlets, and milkshakes served at QSRs and casual dining restaurants.[10]
- Huber & Holly: A premium sub-brand with exclusive flavors available in select parlours and retail.[5]
- Ready-to-Eat: Packaged foods for retail distribution.[6]
Growth & Metrics
Hocco has scaled rapidly since its commercial operations began in 2023. Key metrics include:
- Revenue: ₹220 crore in FY25, with a target of ₹420–450 crore by FY26.[8]
- Production Capacity: 1,30,000 litres per day, with plans to scale to 2,50,000 litres by February 2026.[2]
- Reach: Operates 100+ outlets across Gujarat, Delhi NCR, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and one in the United States. Over 1,400 pushcarts in Delhi NCR.[5]
- Team Size: Approximately 250 employees, including a 200-member sales team.[8]
- Distribution: Nearly 200 distributors, with quick commerce contributing 20% of revenue.[8]
- Market Position: Ranks 4th among 33 active competitors in India’s ice cream market.[10]
Legal Entity Information
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Legal Name | Hocco Foods Private Limited |
| Foundation Date | 16 June 2022 |
| Registrar of Companies (ROC) | ROC Ahmedabad |
| Corporate Identification Number (CIN) | U15400GJ2022PTC132936 |
| Registered Address | 12-13 Floor, 1201-1204, 1301-1302, Elanza Vertex, Sindhu Bhavan Road, Bodakdev, Ahmedabad, Gujarat - 380059 |
| Company Status | Active |
| Directors | Pradeep Satishchandra Chona, Ankit Pradeep Chona, Biseswar Debabrata Mukherjee |
| Authorized Share Capital | ₹7.0 crore |
| Paid-up Capital | ₹6.9 crore |
Media & Public Recognition
Hocco has received significant media coverage for its rapid growth and funding rounds:
- Covered by The Economic Times, Mint, and YourStory for its US$10 million Series B funding in May 2025.[8][2][5]
- Featured in Indian Retailer and Agro & Food Processing for its ambitious ₹400 crore revenue target by FY26.[9][12]
- Recognized by Tracxn as a top player in India’s ice cream market, ranking 4th among 33 competitors.[10]
- Noted by Bar & Bench for its Series B fundraise advised by Burgeon Law and IC Universal Legal.[13]
- Highlighted on LinkedIn and The Barbershop with Shantanu podcast for its innovation and market strategy.[14]
FAQs
- What is Hocco Ice Cream?
- Hocco Ice Cream is an Indian food and beverage company founded in 1944, offering premium ice creams and quick-service restaurant offerings across 100+ outlets in India and one in the USA.[3]
- Who founded Hocco Ice Cream?
- Hocco was founded by Satish Chona in 1944. It is currently led by Pradeep Chona (Chairman) and Ankit Chona (Managing Director).[4]
- What is Hocco’s revenue target for FY26?
- Hocco aims to achieve ₹420–450 crore in revenue by FY26, doubling its FY25 revenue of ₹220 crore.[8]
- What are Hocco’s key products?
- Hocco offers premium ice creams, Boss Bars, Oh-Cone, BIX, and food items like pizzas, sandwiches, and ready-to-eat meals.[5]
External Links
Related Startups
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "HOCCO scoops up growth: Aims for doubling sales, expansion, and a sweeter future!". ET Retail. 29 January 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Ice cream brand Hocco, founded by Havmor's Chona family, raises $10 million". Mint. 15 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "About - Hocco". Hocco. 28 August 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Team - Hocco". Hocco. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 "Scoop 2.0: How Ankit Chona's Hocco is stirring up India's ice cream market". YourStory. 19 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Ice Cream Brand Hocco's Valuation Hits INR 600 Cr With Backing From Chona Family, Sauce.vc". Inc42. 10 June 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Hocco funding: Ice cream brand Hocco secures Rs 100 crore, valuation hits Rs 600 crore". The Economic Times. 10 June 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 "Hocco funding: Ice cream brand Hocco secures $10 mn in Series B". ET Retail. 15 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 "Ice Cream Brand Hocco Aims for Rs 400 Cr Revenue in 2025, Eyes International Expansion". Indian Retailer. 24 January 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Hocco - 2025 Company Profile, Funding, Competitors & Financials". Tracxn. 19 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ↑ "Hocco Foods Financials". Tofler. 1 September 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ↑ "Hocco Ice Cream Targets ₹400 Crore Revenue in 2025, Plans International Expansion". Agro & Food Processing. 25 January 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ↑ "Burgeon Law, IC Universal Legal act on Hocco's Series B fundraise". Bar & Bench. 20 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ↑ "Hocco". LinkedIn. 10 July 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2025.