VLCC Franchise

* Breakdown as published by VLCC.

Ways to Partner with VLCC

2 partner models published by the brand. Figures it doesn't publish are left blank.

What the press, courts and real franchisees or customers have said about VLCC — summarised by us, with every source linked.

• In the news· 2025-10-29

  ICRA downgrades VLCC group to BBB (Stable) after three years of losses (Oct 2025)

  ICRA's rating note of 29 Oct 2025 cut VLCC Limited's long-term rating from BBB+ to BBB (Stable) and its short-term rating from A2 to A3+. It cites the consolidated group's loss after tax of Rs 146.3 crore in FY25 (provisional; Rs 40.6 crore in FY24 and Rs 60.3 crore in FY23), a fall in operating margin to 9.5% from 23.0% in FY23, debt of 7.1 times operating profit and interest cover of 1.0 times, with 47 clinics opened in FY25 still making losses. ICRA noted cost cuts in FY26 but said whether they last remains to be seen. These are group accounts including products and international units; they do not show what a franchised centre earns.

  Source: ICRA
• In the news· 2026-08-12

  Managing Director and Group CEO Vikas Gupta to leave for Himalaya (Aug 2026)

  Storyboard18 (12 Aug 2026) and BW People (13 Aug 2026) reported that Himalaya appointed Vikas Gupta, then VLCC's CEO and Managing Director, as its India CEO from 23 Sep 2026. The articles do not name his successor at VLCC.

  Source: Storyboard18
• Legal / regulatory· 2022-08-12

  Chandigarh State Commission upheld refund order against VLCC Health Care (Aug 2022)

  The Tribune reported that the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chandigarh dismissed VLCC Health Care Ltd's appeal and upheld a District Forum order (11 Nov 2021) to refund Rs 75,500 and pay Rs 20,000 compensation to a customer who paid for a weight-loss programme. The commission found deficiency in service and said a misleading advertisement had misled the consumer.

  Source: The Tribune
• Legal / regulatory· 2022-09-10

  Chandigarh District Commission: VLCC Wellness Centre guilty of deficiency in service (Sep 2022)

  The Tribune reported that a customer who paid Rs 2 lakh for a weight-loss programme was awarded a Rs 1 lakh refund plus Rs 10,000, with the commission saying the centre did not show services were provided as committed.

  Source: The Tribune
• Legal / regulatory· 2023-10-05

  Mumbai commission orders VLCC refund ex parte (Oct 2023)

  Free Press Journal reported that the Mumbai Suburban Additional District Commission ordered a refund of Rs 21,228 with 7% interest and Rs 7,000 costs after VLCC did not respond to the notice; the commission called the non-delivery of service an unfair trade practice.

  Source: Free Press Journal
• Legal / regulatory· 2026-04-28

  Madras High Court: arbitral award against VLCC largely upheld in Coimbatore lease dispute (Apr 2026)

  LiveLawBiz reported that the Madras High Court partly allowed VLCC Health Care Ltd's appeal on a 2008 lease, removing a Rs 7.2 lakh rental-loss component but upholding Rs 14.84 lakh damages and Rs 1.35 lakh rent arrears. It is a landlord dispute, not a franchisee one.

  Source: LiveLawBiz

Earlier format sizes on VLCC's older franchise site (page copyright 2017)

These older pages are still online. They show lower totals than the current table and a 15% royalty on monthly turnover. They are kept as dated history, not current prices.

Source: VLCC older franchise site, guidelines page (taxes as applicable)

Key Terms at VLCC

The clauses that shape day-to-day running and your exit — read these before the fee.

Payments to the brand

Royalty is shown as '18% + FRR (Based on city potential)'. The page does not define FRR or say what the percentage is charged on. The page says the franchise fee is based on the potential of the location or city.

Pricing

Franchise fee is 'based on the potential of a location / city', so the Rs 25 lakh shown may differ by city.

Legal & Contract Summary

Key contract terms at a glance — read before you sign.

Who Can Apply for VLCC

Conditions the brand sets for partners, and the licences the business needs.

• Site: VLCC evaluates the proposed site for foot traffic, demographics and competitionRequired
• Carpet area: 1,800-2,200 sq ftRequired

About the Brand

VLCC Outlet Network

Cities with Outlets

These figures are for Carlyle bought a majority stake in Jan 2023 (Reuters via DealStreetAsia); ICRA's Oct 2025 note says Carlyle's stake fell from 62.44% to 51.73% by 31 Mar 2025 after it sold part to Alpha Wave Ventures II, and it remains the controlling investor as a whole group, not this brand alone — separate from what a single franchise outlet earns.

A profitable franchisor doesn't mean profitable franchisees. These are the company's numbers, not an outlet's. A franchisor can grow on fees and supplies while outlets struggle — talk to existing franchisees and see their accounts before you decide.

Company Health Check

What VLCC's franchisor company has filed with the registrar and the courts — the checks a lawyer would run before you sign.

Status with the registrar

Active

Source: ICRA rating rationale of 29 Oct 2025 (consolidated group); VLCC franchise, About and investor-relations pages; Tofler mirror of MCA data; consumer-commission and High Court reports (Tribune, Free Press Journal, LiveLawBiz, Indian Kanoon). MCA21, NCLT and IBBI not queried directly. (checked Oct 2026)

How VLCC looks once the numbers are checked side by side.

• •Investment above the Beauty & Salon medianMidpoint ₹105 L vs a category median of ₹72.5 L across brands on FranchiseChuno.
• !The franchisor company is loss-makingIts latest filed accounts show a net loss. Franchisors that lose money can cut support or change terms — ask how franchise operations are funded.
• ✓Brand operating for 37 yearsFounded in 1989. The brand doesn't state when franchising began.
• !Outlet claim is well above its store locatorVLCC claims 310 outlets, but its own store locator lists 200 (25 Oct 2026 (recount: 200 centre-page URLs in VLCC's centres sitemap, all under /clinics/ for India; includes 2 repeated centre names with different IDs; closed centres may still be listed)). Ask for a current list of operating outlets.
• !6 red flags in the news or public discussionSee Reputation & News below, and ask the brand to address each one.

Ask Before You Sign

Questions tailored to what VLCC does and doesn't publish.

1. 1Speak to at least 3 franchisees who have run an outlet for 2+ years and see their actual monthly sales and profit — a franchisor making money doesn't mean its franchisees do.
2. 2Ask for the agreement term, renewal fee and exit or transfer terms.
3. 3Ask whether you get an exclusive territory, and how large it is.
4. 4Ask how the franchisor funds training and support while it's loss-making.
5. 5Ask the brand to respond to each red flag listed under Reputation & News.
6. 6Have a lawyer review the franchise agreement before paying anything.
7. 7Visit 2–3 existing outlets and speak to their owners without the brand present.

What VLCC franchisees say

We haven't yet heard from enough VLCC franchisees to show anything. We publish totals once 3 or more people who run an outlet have answered and we've called each one to check.

Frequently Asked Questions