Hard Rock International's Indian franchise partner, JSM Group dismissed reports claiming that it had ended its partnership with the global brand and was shuttering their 10 restaurants across India. The company called Hard Rock International's previous announcement terminating their agreement with it a "unilateral, illegal and entirely misconceived announcement."
Hard Rock international had previously announced that it would be shutting shop on its 10 music-themed restaurants save for Goa's Hard Rock Hotel and that it would be ending its 22-year partneership with JSM Corp. Pvt.
The company did not divulge the reason behind the decision to terminate the agreements, which dismantles its footprint across key locations in India.
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These include Hard Rock Cafe Bengaluru; Bengaluru International Airport; Bengaluru Whitefield; Chandigarh; Chennai; Hyderabad; Hyderabad Hitech City; Kolkata; New Delhi and Pune.
"JSM expresses its deep shock at the unilateral, illegal and entirely misconceived announcement made across news platforms regarding the alleged closure of Hard Rock Cafes in India. The Hard Rock Group's unilateral claims in this regard are outside the contractual framework, especially since the JSM Group has made a substantial monetary claim against the Hard Rock Group," the firm said in a statement.
"While we are evaluating our options, our immediate priority remains our employees, loyal customers, partners and suppliers in India who have supported and operated the brand for over two decades," JSM Group added.
"We remain fully committed to protecting the interests of all stakeholders, including circulating credible and accurate information to the public," the firm further said.
The company said Hard Rock Cafes in India will continue to operate per usual "pending any binding order of a court of appropriate jurisdiction to the contrary."
Founded in 1971, Hard Rock Cafe is a global chain of music-theme bar-restaurants, memorabilia shops, casinos, hotels and museums with a presence across over 70 countries.
(With PTI inputs)
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