Time Out Group plc has signed its first global franchise agreement with India's Quint Digital Limited to launch Time Out Market Delhi in the second half of 2026. Located at 5 Worldmark, Aerocity, the capital-light 24,500-square-foot venue will feature 11 food and beverage concepts curated by local editors.
LONDON and DELHI — June 8, 2026 — Time Out Group plc (AIM: TMO), the London-headquartered global media and hospitality business, announced today that it has signed a binding franchise agreement with Indian media-tech firm Quint Digital Limited for the development and operation of Time Out Market Delhi. The deal represents Time Out’s first-ever franchise agreement globally, shifting from its traditional managed or owned-and-operated structures to unlock a highly capital-efficient pathway for international expansion.
Scheduled to open its doors in the second half of 2026, the premium culinary destination will be located at 5 Worldmark, Aerocity—the newly developed phase of Delhi’s premier commercial and hospitality hub. The vast venue will occupy approximately 24,500 square feet, offering domestic consumers, corporate professionals, and international travelers an editorially curated collection of 11 distinct food and drink concepts alongside immersive cultural programming.
A Strategic Move Toward Capital-Light Expansion
The binding corporate agreement follows a structured framework established between the two entities in May 2025, when Time Out Group granted an exclusive three-year option to Quint Digital Limited to evaluate and secure Time Out Market footprints across the Indian subcontinent.
Under the specific parameters of this franchise agreement, Quint Digital will entirely fund, develop, and manage the day-to-day operations of Time Out Market Delhi. The business model ensures that Time Out Group does not commit capital expenditures toward construction or real estate development. Instead, the AIM-listed parent entity will generate steady corporate revenue through a structure of upfront contractual franchise fees accompanied by ongoing royalty payments linked to the venue’s performance.
This model complements Time Out’s current network of 13 open markets across major global capitals. While metropolitan locations such as Lisbon, Porto, Barcelona, and New York (Brooklyn and Union Square) continue to run under an owned-and-operated framework, other major destinations like Dubai, Cape Town, and Montreal operate through Management Agreements (MA). The Delhi site serves as the foundational blueprint for a third, pure-franchise vertical.
Impact on Delhi Consumers and Real Estate Investors
For citizens and visitors of the National Capital Region (NCR), the arrival of Time Out Market Delhi inside Aerocity promises a significant evolution in the regional hospitality landscape. Unlike traditional retail food courts, the marketplace uses a strict editorial selection process. Time Out’s regional editors will collaborate directly with local operating teams to ensure that the 11 culinary stalls represent highly rated local chefs, emerging restaurateurs, and mixologists from the city.
For retail real estate investors and businesses operating within the Worldmark ecosystem, the scale of a 24,500-square-foot editorially driven footprint acts as a high-traffic anchor tenant. The integration of live cultural performances and art events alongside food concepts is designed to lengthen consumer dwell times and boost footfall for neighboring commercial establishments in the Aerocity district.
Official Sources Section
The details of this corporate transaction were disclosed via an official Regulatory News Service (RNS) filing submitted by Time Out Group plc to the London Stock Exchange on June 8, 2026, under corporate category "Acquisitions and alliances" (RNS Number: 4075H). Supplemental commercial metrics were cross-verified via data releases from Quint Digital Limited's regulatory disclosures on the Indian bourses.
Executive Statements
Commenting on the historic nature of the deal, leadership emphasized the operational adaptability of the brand's layout.
"This is a landmark moment for Time Out Market as we sign our first franchise agreement globally," said Chris Ohlund, Chief Executive Officer of Time Out Group plc. "The agreement demonstrates the strength and flexibility of the Time Out Market model and creates an additional pathway for international expansion through a highly capital-efficient structure. We are delighted to be taking this next step with The Quint, a trusted partner that shares our vision for bringing the very best of Delhi's food, culture and talent together under one roof."
Why It Matters
The execution of this franchise agreement signifies a structural shift in how international hospitality brands penetrate high-growth emerging economies. By transferring capital execution risks to an established domestic partner like Quint Digital, Time Out Group accelerates its footprint expansion into India's premium retail market while insulating its balance sheet from local construction and inflationary pressures. For the Indian retail sector, it introduces an globally recognized, curated food hall benchmark to compete directly with traditional high-end dining formats.
Key Facts at a Glance
Location: 5 Worldmark, Aerocity, Delhi, India.
Footprint Scale: Approximately 24,500 square feet of curated commercial space.
Internal Layout: 11 dedicated food and drink concepts alongside live cultural programming areas.
Projected Launch Window: Anticipated opening in the second half of 2026.
Financial Model: Pure franchise contract; funded entirely by Quint Digital with royalty and fee streams returning to Time Out Group.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a Time Out Market compared to a standard food court?
A Time Out Market is an editorially curated cultural and culinary space where a city's top-rated chefs, independent restaurateurs, and artists are handpicked by local journalists to showcase their concepts under a single communal roof, eliminating commercial fast-food chains.
When will Time Out Market Delhi open to the public?
According to regulatory timelines announced by the parent company, the venue is currently anticipated to open its doors during the second half of 2026.
Where exactly will the market be situated in Delhi?
The market will be located inside 5 Worldmark, which forms part of the newly developed phase of the Aerocity commercial complex adjacent to Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Will Time Out Group be funding the construction of the Delhi site?
No. Under the terms of the capital-light franchise agreement, Indian partner Quint Digital Limited is solely responsible for developing, financing, and operating the physical location.
Source: Official regulatory announcements published via the London Stock Exchange Regulatory News Service (RNS), alongside direct investor relations reporting from Time Out Group plc and financial statements from Quint Digital Limited.
