Bira 91 cedes control of The Beer Café to investors

Bira 91’s parent company, B9 Beverages, has lost control of The Beer Café after its largest shareholder Kirin Holdings of Japan and lender Anicut Capital reportedly invoked pledged shares amid mounting financial stress.

Recent filings with the Registrar of Companies (RoC) indicate that Kirin Holdings and Anicut Capital have jointly taken possession of shares in BTB (Better Than Before), the company operating The Beer Café’s 42 outlets and other food and beverage ventures.

The restructuring effectively removes B9 Beverages from any ownership in BTB. However, Ankur Jain, the Founder and CEO of Bira 91 has contested the move, asserting that BTB “remains a wholly owned subsidiary” of B9 Beverages. He has reportedly taken the matter to court, alleging that some lenders violated contractual terms.

On October 17, the Delhi High Court issued an interim order restraining Anicut Capital from selling or creating any third-party interest in BTB shares until further notice.

Kirin Holdings currently owns about 20.1 percent of B9 Beverages, while Peak XV Partners holds 14.6 percent. Ankur and his family collectively control around 17.8 percent, with the remaining stake held by smaller investors and family offices.