LVMH-Backed Firm Grows Its Appetite for India With Investments in Indian Restaurant, Dishoom

The 'Indian pull' seems to have once again worked its magic, with investors spreading their wings and tapping into the growing luxury consumer base. Take Luxury powerhouse LVMH, for instance. The brand's fashion and beauty houses have long made upmarket entries across Indian metros. The group has already brought several of its marquee brands to Indian shores, including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Bulgari, Sephora, and Tag Heuer, each strategically opening stores in high-growth cities and aligning with India’s aspirational consumer base. Its focus isn’t only retail; through its investment arm L Catterton, backed by LVMH and Bernard Arnault’s family holding company Groupe Arnault, the group is now actively investing in India’s consumer ecosystem too.

In July 2024, for instance, the private equity firm filed with India’s market regulator, SEBI, to launch L Catterton India Fund I, an INR 4,000-crore alternative investment fund focused exclusively on India’s booming consumer sector. This marked one of the first rupee-denominated funds from a global private equity player, underscoring a long-term commitment to the Indian landscape.

This growing focus on India and Indian-origin brands is also reflected in L Catterton’s latest global move.

Indian restaurant Dishoom, which has cemented its name among gourmands flying to London, has welcomed its first external investment after 15 years in the business. In a recent development, the Iranian cafés-inspired restaurant has sold a minority stake to L Catterton, a global consumer-focused private equity firm backed by LVMH and Bernard Arnault’s (founder and CEO of LVMH) family office. While the exact figure remains undisclosed, reports speculate the deal values Dishoom at approximately EUR 300 million (approximately INR 347 crore).

A Pivotal Expansion

This minority investment marks a strategic shift as Dishoom prepares to open its first restaurant in the US, specifically in New York City, in 2026. This decision follows a summer pop-up at Pastis in New York’s Meatpacking District, which reportedly served around 7,000 people, with another 20,000 in waiting.

Founded in 2010 at Covent Garden by Shamil and Kavi Thakrar (along with Amar and Adarsh Radia, who both left the business in 2017), Dishoom has expanded to 11 restaurants across the UK. On August 29, 2025, Dishoom will open the doors to its Glasgow restaurant, too. Beyond food, it also has four drinks-first outlets in cities including Oxford, Cambridge, Brighton, and London.

Future Forward

Post this investment, co-founder Thakrar will continue to oversee operations, supported by CEO Brian Trollip, who joined the company in 2024. L Catterton, on the other hand, is a specialist in mid-market consumer brands who will bring in experience from investments in brands like Birkenstock and Ganni. Going forward, Dishoom plans to open two or three sites per year in the US, without compromising on its quality.