Calcutta, May 14: Calcutta-based Dhunseri Group is set to bring American casual dining chain Uno Pizzeria & Grill to India - taking on the likes of TGIF & Chili's as the Rs 4,000-crore business house diversifies into the food and beverages (F&B) sector.

The group has signed an exclusive franchisee agreement with the Boston-based chain, known for its Chicago style deep-dish pizza, to open 60-70 outlets across the country over the next six years.

One of the first outlets may come up in the Park Street area and in South City mall in Calcutta and in Delhi NCR by the end of this year.

"We will start with full service dine-in restaurants on prime locations to establish the brand in the country. More formats in the smaller category will be added later," Mrigank Dhanuka, chairman of Tastetaria Pvt Ltd, said.

The billion-dollar organised pizza industry is dominated by Domino's and Pizza Hut in India and is growing 8-10 per cent annually.

Fredrick Houston, vice-president of franchisee operations of Uno, said the success of these international brands encouraged the US firm to explore the Indian market.

The unlisted Uno, which recorded $248 million in sales in 2016 from 125 outlets, mostly from the US and a few in West Asia, started a discussion with Tastetaria a year back when Dhanuka was exploring Chicago, arguably the pizza capital of the US.

"The petrochem business is managed by our partner while my father looks after tea. I decided to enter the F&B segment," Mrigank Dhanuka, 36, said.

Mrigank had started with the acquisition of a niche patisserie chain in Singapore, Twelve Cupcakes. He managed to turn around the loss-making venture and expand its network, too.

Dhunseri Petrochem, which jointly owns the 0.7-million-tonne pet resin business with the Lohias of Indo Rama Ventures, is the promoter of Tastetaria. Dhanukas also have a 20-million-kg tea plantation in Assam and Malawi, Africa.

Uno will, however, first test the success of Dhunseri's food business as it fights for a slice of the fast expanding pizza business. Houston said apart from a full service dine in, express (smaller menu) and kiosk (food courts in malls) formats will also be explored.

"We will offer 60-70 items on the menu, shorter than what is offered in the US. The items will be customised for Indian taste. Beef will be out. There will be lots of vegetarian items along with seafood, shrimp and chicken," Houston, who came down to Calcutta to formally sign the deal, said.

Dhanuka hopes the deep dish Chicago style, an upside down pizza, would be the clincher in the Indian market as no other chain offers it now. The menu will also offer salads, pasta, grills and steaks.