Inside the SGF Franchise Scandal: Kewal Ashwani Ahuja’s Unraveling Empire

Inside the SGF Franchise Scandal: Kewal Ashwani Ahuja’s Unraveling Empire What started as a promising vegetarian quick service restaurant chain under Kewal Ashwani Ahuja has turned into a cautionary tale of mismanagement, unmet promises, and financial setbacks for investors. Over the past decade, India’s franchise industry has grown rapidly, attracting investors with the appeal of brand recognition, operational assistance, and strong returns. SGF (Spice Grill Flame), led by Kewal Ashwani Ahuja , positioned itself as a fast-scaling pure-veg QSR model and quickly expanded across the country. However, behind the brand’s glossy image, franchise partners began facing severe challenges — from operational inefficiencies to financial losses — exposing deep cracks in the business model. The Lure of Easy Returns and Rapid Expansion SGF marketed itself as a national success story with over 125 outlets across India. The FOCO (Franchise Owned Company Operated) model promised investors a fixe...