Bata India Crosses 700 Franchise Stores, Scales Up Expansion in Emerging Markets

Footwear brand Bata India has crossed the milestone of 700 franchise stores across the country, reinforcing the growing importance of its franchise-led expansion strategy. The franchise network now contributes over 35% to the company’s total retail footprint of nearly 1,980 stores.

A significant 70% of these stores are located in Tier 2, 3 and 4 cities, highlighting the rising demand for branded footwear beyond metro markets. The company is now gearing up to accelerate its growth further by doubling the pace of new store openings.

Speaking on the milestone, Badri Beriwal, Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Business Development Officer, Bata India, said the franchise model has emerged as a key growth engine by combining local market expertise with strong brand equity. This approach has enabled the company to expand efficiently into high-potential markets while maintaining operational discipline.

For entrepreneurs, the model offers a compelling opportunity with an initial investment of approximately ₹35–40 lakh, making it accessible for a wide range of investors.

For Bata India, the franchise route enables faster market entry with lower capital investment, while strengthening its presence across diverse geographies. The company continues to focus on expanding accessibility across regions, categories and price points through a balanced mix of company-owned and franchise stores.