Marico has taken a decisive step into the premium snacking space with the acquisition of a 93.27% stake in Zea Maize Private Limited, the parent company of gourmet snack brand 4700BC, from PVR INOX for ₹227 crore. The move signals Marico’s intent to deepen its presence in fast-growing, value-added food categories.
Founded in 2013, 4700BC built its identity around premium popcorn before steadily expanding into adjacent snack formats such as popped chips, makhana, crunchy corn, and nachos. The brand carved a niche by blending global flavors with modern packaging, positioning itself as an indulgent yet contemporary snack choice for urban consumers.
Post-acquisition, the focus will be on accelerating growth through innovation and scale. Plans include launching new products across emerging snacking segments, strengthening distribution across general trade, modern retail, and e-commerce, and sharpening the brand’s premium positioning. Marico’s extensive FMCG ecosystem is expected to play a key role in unlocking this next phase of expansion.
Saugata Gupta, managing director and CEO of Marico, stated that the investment aligns with the company’s broader ambition to build future-ready brands in high-growth food categories. According to him, 4700BC fits well within Marico’s strategy of backing distinctive brands with strong consumer relevance.
Founder Chirag Gupta acknowledged PVR INOX’s contribution in building early scale and credibility for the brand, while highlighting Marico’s operational expertise as a catalyst for long-term growth. With Marico’s backing, 4700BC now moves from being a niche premium snack to a brand poised for wider national play.
The acquisition reflects a broader industry trend where established FMCG players are tapping into premiumization to drive the next wave of growth in packaged foods.
