Hocco: The Rise of India’s Coolest Ice Cream Brand in 2025

India’s ice cream market, valued at USD 3.46 billion in 2024 and projected to reach USD 14 billion by 2034, is a hotbed of innovation and competition. Among the standout players is Hocco, an Ahmedabad-based ice cream brand that has captured the hearts of Gen Z and beyond with its premium, preservative-free offerings and vibrant branding. Launched in 2023, Hocco has rapidly become one of India’s most famous and popular ice cream brands, ranking fourth in Gujarat behind Amul, Vadilal, and Havmor. This blog explores Hocco’s origins, its meteoric rise, the visionary behind it, and its impact on India’s dessert scene, with a nod to regions like Bhilwara where its popularity is soaring.

The Genesis of Hocco

Hocco’s story begins with a legacy rooted in 1944, when Satish Chona, an engineer with BOAC (predecessor to British Airways), started an ice cream parlor in Karachi, then part of undivided India. Post-partition, Satish relocated to Ahmedabad, opening a quick-service restaurant (QSR) on Relief Road with a basement ice cream factory. This venture evolved into Havmor, a beloved brand that grew to a 12.5% national market share and 35% in Gujarat by 2017, when the Chona family sold it to South Korea’s Lotte Wellfood for ₹1,020 crore.

After the sale, the Chonas shifted focus to their food business and new ventures. In 2016, they launched Huber & Holly, a premium ice cream parlor brand, which wasn’t part of the Havmor deal. However, the idea for Hocco emerged organically in 2019, as the family realized they could create their own ice cream for their restaurants instead of relying on third-party suppliers. Incorporated in 2022 and commercially launched in October 2023, Hocco—short for House of Chonas Collaborative—marked the family’s bold re-entry into the ice cream market, targeting Gen Alpha and Gen Z with affordable, high-quality products.

The Visionary: Ankit Chona

At the helm of Hocco is Ankit Chona, a third-generation entrepreneur and the managing director of Hocco Foods Pvt Ltd. Ankit, grandson of Satish Chona and son of Pradeep Chona, is a visionary who has transformed the family’s legacy into a modern, youth-centric brand. Before spearheading Hocco, Ankit was deeply involved in the family’s food and beverage empire, HRPL Restaurants Pvt Ltd, which operates over 80 restaurants across India, including Hocco Eatery, 1944 The Hocco Kitchen, and Huber & Holly. His last major role was leading the transition of the family’s ice cream business after the Havmor sale in 2017, while expanding their restaurant portfolio and launching Huber & Holly, which now has 15 stores across six cities.

Ankit’s background is steeped in entrepreneurship. He modernized the family’s operations, introducing innovative concepts like ready-to-eat products and health-focused snacks under the Phab brand in 2020. His experience managing Havmor’s growth, coupled with his knack for identifying consumer trends, positioned him perfectly to launch Hocco. Ankit’s podcast appearance on The Barbershop with Shantanu in March 2024 highlighted his passion for innovation, crediting quick commerce and Gen Z’s impulse-buying habits for Hocco’s early success.

Hocco’s Launch and Rapid Growth

Hocco began commercial operations in October 2023 with a 20,000-liter-per-day ice cream plant in Bavla, near Ahmedabad. The brand’s launch coincided with a surge in demand, prompting a swift expansion to 40,000 liters daily by March 2024. By May 2025, Hocco’s production capacity reached 1.3 lakh liters per day, with plans to double to 2.5 lakh liters by February 2026. This rapid scaling reflects Hocco’s ability to capture market share in a competitive landscape dominated by Amul, Vadilal, and Havmor.

In its first full financial year (FY25), Hocco posted ₹220 crore in revenue, targeting ₹420–450 crore by FY26. The brand operates over 150 outlets, including ice cream parlors, QSRs, and company-owned experience zones, with 15,000 retail touchpoints and nearly 200 distributors. Hocco’s presence spans Gujarat, Delhi-NCR, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and parts of Uttar Pradesh, with plans to enter Punjab and Chhattisgarh. Its quick commerce partnerships with Blinkit, Zepto, and Instamart contribute 20% of revenue, up from 7–8% in 2024, reflecting Gen Z’s preference for instant delivery.

Product Innovation and Branding

Hocco’s success lies in its innovative products and Instagrammable branding. With over 150 SKUs, the brand offers a diverse range, including:

• BIX: A house-baked cake sandwich, blending ice cream with pastry.

• Oh-Cone: A cone topped with a chocolate-coated ball, a social media sensation.

• Healthies: A sugar-free range catering to health-conscious consumers.

• Huber & Holly Premium Line: Flavors like Salted Caramel Popcorn and Sicilian Pistachio, launched in June 2024, compete with Baskin Robbins.

Hocco’s automated cone-making line and preservative-free recipes emphasize quality, using high-grade ingredients to deliver a creamy texture. Posts on X, like @DigiInteracts, praise Hocco’s “legacy + speed + taste” formula, noting its appeal to younger audiences through playful packaging and pop culture tie-ins. The brand’s billboards, spotted in Gujarat and Delhi, evoke nostalgia while promoting summer indulgence, with campaigns encouraging fans to tag @hoccoicecream for free scoops.

Funding and Financials

Hocco’s growth has been fueled by significant investments. Since June 2023, the company raised USD 30 million across four rounds, valuing it at ₹646 crore. The latest Series B round, announced on May 15, 2025, secured USD 10 million, co-led by the Chona Family Office and Sauce VC, with participation from angel investors like Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar. An additional USD 10 million is expected by January 2026, potentially from global funds, as Sauce VC has committed to further investment. The funds are being used to double production, enhance cold-chain infrastructure, and expand nationally, with a potential IPO on the horizon.

Hocco’s cold chain, with GPS-enabled trucks and in-house cold rooms, minimizes wastage and ensures quality, a strategy Ankit credits for efficient scaling. The company’s 50-50 model—half company-owned stores, half franchised—supports rapid expansion while maintaining control.

The Chona Legacy and Leadership

The Chona family’s 80-year legacy in ice cream, starting with Satish Chona’s Karachi parlor, is integral to Hocco’s identity. Pradeep Chona, Ankit’s father and Hocco’s chairman, scaled Havmor in the 1980s, commissioning a state-of-the-art factory in Ahmedabad. His focus on quality ingredients and no-shortcuts approach shapes Hocco’s ethos. Pradeep’s vision of pairing ice cream with Indian food led to the family’s QSR ventures, which complement Hocco’s dessert offerings.

Ankit, as managing director, brings a modern perspective, leveraging quick commerce and social media to reach Gen Z. His prior role managing HRPL’s 80+ restaurants honed his operational expertise, while his investment portfolio—Mokobara, Neuron Energy, Vadham Tea—demonstrates his business acumen.

Market Impact and Consumer Reception

Hocco has disrupted India’s ice cream market, projected to hit ₹42,700 crore by FY25. Its fourth-place ranking in Gujarat, a major ice cream-consuming state, underscores its rapid rise. In Bhilwara, where dessert culture thrives, Hocco’s pushcarts and quick commerce availability make it a favorite among youth. The brand’s 1,400 pushcarts in Delhi-NCR and growing presence in Rajasthan reflect its urban and semi-urban appeal.

Consumers on X, like @oneandonlyrk, celebrate Hocco’s funding milestones, while @DigiInteracts highlights its 150+ outlets and ₹200 crore revenue in just two years. Hocco’s rebranding from Havmor’s legacy to a Gen Z-focused identity, with vibrant aesthetics and flavors like Pondicherry Vanilla, resonates with trend-driven audiences.

Strengths and Challenges

Strengths

• Legacy and Expertise: The Chona family’s 80-year ice cream heritage ensures quality and trust.

• Innovative Products: 150+ SKUs, including BIX and Oh-Cone, cater to diverse tastes.

• Quick Commerce: 20% of revenue from Blinkit and Zepto taps into impulse buying.

• Cold Chain Control: In-house logistics minimize wastage and ensure freshness.

• Funding Support: USD 30 million raised, with Sauce VC and angel investors backing growth.

Challenges

• Competition: Amul, Vadilal, and Havmor dominate, while new players like Go Zero and Cold Love vie for share.

• Regional Focus: Gujarat-centric presence limits national penetration compared to Amul.

• Scaling Costs: Doubling production and entering new markets require significant capital.

Future Outlook

Hocco aims to break into India’s top three ice cream brands by 2026, challenging Amul, Vadilal, and Havmor. Plans for a second factory in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, or Rajasthan will service northern markets, while international expansion targets the US and Canada via franchisee-owned QSRs in cities with Indian diasporas. The Virginia Beach outlet, opened in 2024, broke even in three months, signaling strong potential.

Hocco’s ready-to-eat products, like dal and chana, are gaining traction, with exports to the US and plans for scaling. The brand’s Healthies range and Huber & Holly’s premium line position it to capture both mass and niche markets. Ankit’s IPO aspirations, though timeline-agnostic, reflect confidence in Hocco’s long-term value.

Conclusion

Hocco’s meteoric rise since its 2023 launch marks it as one of India’s most exciting ice cream brands. Rooted in the Chona family’s 80-year legacy, led by Ankit Chona’s entrepreneurial vision, and fueled by USD 30 million in funding, Hocco blends tradition with Gen Z appeal. From its 1.3 lakh-liter-per-day plant to 150+ outlets and quick commerce success, Hocco is redefining India’s dessert landscape. In Bhilwara and beyond, its Oh-Cones and BIX treats are synonymous with joy. As Hocco eyes a ₹450 crore revenue and global markets by FY26, its journey from Havmor’s