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Nestlé SA invests in Indian pet food brand Drools, marking its first minority investment in India; Drools will remain operationally independent. -
Drools recently became a unicorn and distributes high-protein pet food across 40,000+ outlets and 22 countries. -
India’s pet care market is booming, projected to grow from $551 million to $1.8 billion in 7–8 years, attracting major global and local players.
Drools, which was founded in 2010 by Fahim Sultan, will remain strategically and operationally independent, according to a joint statement released on Monday. The move follows Drools’ major $60-million fundraising round in 2023 led by L Catterton, a private equity firm backed by luxury group LVMH, which acquired 10% of the company at that time. Nestlé has clarified that this latest investment is purely financial, reaffirming that Drools will continue to function autonomously.
Nestlé, renowned globally for brands such as Kit Kat, Milo, and Purina, sees this move as a foothold in the rapidly growing Indian pet care ecosystem. Nestlé’s global pet care business is a powerhouse, generating 18.9 billion Swiss francs in 2024, which represents 20.7% of the company’s total global revenue.
Nestlé’s previous foray into Indian pet care came in 2017, with the launch of Purina Petcare as a separate entity. By 2022, Nestlé India acquired Purina Petcare India for approximately Rs 125.3 crore, marking its commitment to expanding in the domestic pet food market.
Founded with a vision to offer science-based, high-protein, and prescription diets for pets, Drools has established itself as a leading player in India’s pet food sector. The company boasts six manufacturing units, a robust warehousing network, and distribution across over 40,000 retail outlets. It also exports to 22 countries, and enjoys a strong online presence via platforms like Amazon. Notably, Drools recently achieved unicorn status, joining the elite club of startups valued over $1 billion.
Drools’ Founder, Fahim Sultan, hailed the investment as “a testament to the love and trust of millions of pet parents and our commitment to quality”. He added that the partnership with Nestlé, a global leader in pet nutrition, would further empower Drools to “drive innovation and build meaningful engagement with India’s evolving pet parent demographic”.
The surge in investment comes amid a pet ownership boom in India, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, India is estimated to have 100 million pets, with 30 million living in households. This growth has fueled a thriving pet care economy, currently valued at $551 million, and expected to cross $1.8 billion within 7–8 years, driven by increasing urbanization, disposable incomes, and changing lifestyles.
Private players and conglomerates alike are now eyeing this lucrative market. In August 2023, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL) announced its entry into the pet food sector, planning to launch Godrej Pet Care in FY26 with a Rs500 crore investment over five years in collaboration with Godrej Agrovet Ltd.
Other dominant players in the Indian market include Mars Pet Nutrition, which owns Pedigree and Royal Canin, and Nestlé India through its Purina brand.
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Anjana Sasidharan, Partner and Head of India at L Catterton, praised Drools’ trajectory since the firm’s 2023 investment. “Drools has demonstrated high-quality execution and agility in the market”, she said. “We are thrilled that Nestlé, a globally respected name in pet care, has joined as a minority partner”.
Nestlé SA’s latest move reinforces its broader strategy of tapping into emerging markets with high-growth potential, while supporting local brands that already have a strong consumer base and distribution network.
As the pet care market in India continues to evolve, this investment signals not only global confidence in Indian startups but also highlights the increasing importance of pet nutrition and wellness in Indian households.
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