For generations of Indians, a cup of hot tea with a Rs 5 packet of Parle-G biscuits was more than just a snack. It’s a dear childhood memory. Behind these iconic biscuits lies the fascinating story of Parle Products, a company that has grown from a small, family-run business to one of India’s most valuable FMCG brands.
Parle Products started its journey nearly a century ago at Vile Parle in Mumbai with just 12 family members. The company is now gearing up for an initial public offering (IPO), said to be expected to take place next year, with plans to raise around $1 billion (about Rs 9,530 crore). The IPO marks another milestone in the company’s long business journey.
The biscuits were originally launched as Parle Gluco. However, in 1982, the company shortened the name to Parle-G after several brands introduced similar glucose biscuits, creating confusion among consumers. While the letter “G” originally stood for “Glucose,” the company later popularized it among children with its memorable “G for Genius” marketing campaign.
The Parle story began in 1929, when Mohanlal Dayal set up the Parle Company in Mumbai to manufacture sweets. He started the business with just 12 family members. About a decade later, in 1939, the company expanded into biscuit manufacturing, laying the foundation for one of India’s most popular food brands.
At a time when most of the biscuits sold in India were imported and expensive, Mohanlal Dayal introduced Parle Gluco as an affordable alternative to Indian consumers. The biscuits quickly gained popularity, even becoming widely consumed by the British Indian Army during World War II.
After the Partition of India in 1947, the country faced a severe shortage of wheat, the primary ingredient used in Parle Gluco biscuits. As a result, production had to be temporarily halted. To overcome the crisis, the company began producing biscuits made from barley until wheat supplies improved.
Today, Parle Products operates in over 21 countries and has over 125 manufacturing plants across India. In addition to Parle-G, its portfolio includes popular brands like Monaco, Crackjack, Hide & Seek, Melody, Kismi and Mango Bite, along with chocolates, cakes, rusks and confectionery products.
According to a PTI report, Parle Products registered an 8.5% increase in operating income, to Rs 15,568.49 crore in FY25. During the same period, its net profit fell by 39% to Rs 979.53 crore. The company was valued at Rs 75,420 crore in the Burgundy Pvt Hurun India 500 list, making it the seventh most valuable company in India.
