India’s first FMCG brand to surpass Rs 5000 crore in retail sales in a single year is Parle-G, the world’s best-selling biscuit brand owned by the Chauhan family
Almost every Indian, whether young or old, has likely enjoyed Parle-G biscuits, a household favorite. The Chauhan family owns Parle, a well-known FMCG company famous for its products like Hide&Seek, Marie, and various biscuit brands. Despite the popularity of these products, Parle-G stands out, generating an impressive revenue of over Rs 17,000 crore. Remarkably, Parle-G has maintained its affordable price for years. Additionally, in 2012, Parle-G became the first FMCG company in India to achieve retail sales exceeding Rs 5000 crore in a single year.
In the 1920s, Mohanlal Chauhan, a native of Gujarat, had big dreams of becoming a successful businessman. He laid the foundation for Parle G. His five sons – Maneklal, Pitambar, Narottam, Kantilal, and Jayantilal – joined forces in their father’s shop. Mohanlal Chauhan then invested Rs 60,000 of his savings to import German machines, introducing advanced technology to India.
Parle G, under Mohanlal’s leadership, gained popularity in independent India as an affordable Indian alternative to British snacks. Subsequently, Parle Products entered the competitive market against Coca-Cola by launching its own line of soft drinks, including the well-known Thums Up, Gold Spot, Limca, and Frooti.
In 2011, a Neilson report recognized Parle G biscuits as the best-selling biscuits globally, attributing their success to their affordability and consistent flavor. Presently, Vijay Chauhan and his family, who are the grandchildren and relatives of the company’s founder, Mohanlal Chauhan, oversee Parle Products and Parle G.
The leadership of Parle Products is now in the hands of Vijay, Sharad, and Raj Chauhan. They manage a range of brands, including Parle-G, 20-20, Magix, Milkshakti, Melody, Mango Bite, Poppins, Londonderry, Kismi Toffee Bar, Monaco, and KrackJack. As of Forbes 2022 data, Vijay Chauhan and his family currently hold a net worth of USD 5.5 billion, equivalent to Rs 45,579 crore.