This Westlife Foodworld initiative will strengthen padel infrastructure, coaching, and tournaments across the country
Mumbai, 10 November 2025 – Westlife Foodworld, the company that owns and operates McDonald’s restaurants in West and South India, has announced a strategic partnership with the Indian Padel Academy (IPA by Game Park Pvt Ltd) to promote and grow the sport of Padel in India.
Taking forward McDonald’s global legacy of supporting sports and communities, from the Olympics to grassroots initiatives, this Westlife Foodworld initiative marks a significant milestone for McDonald’s India. It extends the company’s commitment beyond restaurants to actively contribute to community growth and empower the next generation through sport.
Padel, one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, has been gaining strong traction in India for its unique blend of energy, teamwork, and accessibility. Through this partnership, McDonald’s India aims to grow this new-age sport and make it more inclusive and accessible, strengthening its place in modern India’s evolving cultural fabric.
Akshay Jatia, Chief Executive Officer, Westlife Foodworld said, “At McDonald’s India, we have always believed in the power of bringing people together, whether through food, community initiatives or shared experiences. Sport is a natural extension of that belief. In the same spirit that has connected communities across continents, McDonald’s India is now bringing that global ethos home, using sport as a platform to inspire, include, and uplift. Through our partnership with the Indian Padel Academy, which is one of India’s largest Padel academies, we hope to inspire young people to dream bigger, play stronger, grow together and someday make India proud at a global platform.”
The partnership goes beyond courts and restaurants. Together, McDonald’s India and the Indian Padel Academy will focus on making padel facilities accessible to children, giving them the opportunity to learn from some of the best coaches in the padel world. The Academy’s goal is to encourage kids to take up a global sport early, instilling in them teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship and shaping not just better players, but well-rounded individuals.
Nikhil Sachdev Co-founder & Head of Marketing, Brand Development, and Strategy – Padel Park India said “India is ready for the next chapter in padel. This goes beyond the courts, focusing on global partnerships and world-class infrastructure. Our collaboration with McDonald’s India (W&S) is a major step forward. We are joining hands with leading international padel academies to build a strong and inclusive community. The goal is to bring the sport to more people, especially children. We aim to enroll students nationwide through school programmes, certified training, and city leagues, and hope to see future world-class padel players emerge from India.”
This collaboration builds upon McDonald’s long-standing philosophy of supporting sports and extends it locally by nurturing grassroots talent and community engagement. For McDonald’s India (West & South), which has consistently supported local causes and community initiatives, this is yet another meaningful step in that journey, reinforcing its role as a cultural and community enabler that serves dreams, not just meals.
About Westlife Foodworld:
Westlife Foodworld Limited (BSE: 505533) (WFL),), focuses on setting up and operating Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) in India through its subsidiary Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt. Ltd. (HRPL). The Company operates a chain of McDonald’s restaurants in West and South India having a master franchisee relationship with McDonald’s Corporation USA, through the latter’s subsidiary.
About Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt. Ltd.:
Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt Ltd (HRPL) is a McDonald’s franchisee with rights to own and operate McDonald’s restaurants in India’s West and South markets. HRPL has been a franchisee in the region since its inception in 1996. HRPL serves over 200 million customers, annually, at its 450 (as of September 30, 2025) McDonald’s restaurants across 72 cities in the states of Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Goa along with parts of Madhya Pradesh and the Union Territory of Puducherry and provides direct employment to over 10,000 employees. McDonald’s operates through various formats and brand extensions including standalone restaurants, drive- thrus, McCafe, 24×7, McDelivery, McBreakfast and dessert kiosks. The menu features Burgers, Wraps, Hot and Cold Beverages besides a wide range of desserts. Majority of the McDonald’s restaurants feature an in-house McCafé. The pillars of the McDonald’s system – Quality, Service, Cleanliness and Value – are evident at each of the restaurants that HRPL operates.
About Game Park Pvt Ltd:
Game Park Pvt Ltd (“Game Park”) focuses on developing and operating sports infrastructure and experiences in India. The company designs, activates, and operates racquet-sport and multi-sport venues, runs leagues and grassroots programs, and partners with brands, schools, and local organisations to scale participation sustainably.
About Indian Padel Academy (IPA):
Indian Padel Academy (“IPA”) is India’s largest structured padel academy, focused on building a nationwide pathway from grassroots to elite. An initiative of Game Park Pvt Ltd, IPA designs and delivers structured training programs for juniors and adults, operates high-performance squads, certified and upskills coaches, and runs leagues and tournament IP to create year-round match play.
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