The Inspiring Story of Yoga Bar: From a Post-Yoga Craving to a ₹500 Crore Brand

In a country where “snacking” often meant oily chips or sugary biscuits, two sisters from Bengaluru decided to rewrite the story — one wholesome bar at a time.

🌱 How It All Began

The year was 2014.Suhasini Sampath was pursuing her MBA at Wharton, and her sister, Anindita Sampath, was working with Ernst & Young. Between demanding workdays and evening yoga sessions, they noticed something simple yet powerful — after every yoga class in the US, people reached for quick, healthy energy bars.

When they came back to India, they couldn’t find anything remotely similar — most snacks were loaded with preservatives, sugar, and artificial flavoring. So, they decided to take matters into their own hands.

“If I ever make a healthy snack bar, I’ll call it Yoga Bar,” Anindita had once joked in a yoga studio. That joke soon became a registered trademark — and then a household name.

🍫 Building a Brand, Brick by Brick

Armed with a simple idea and a big dream, the sisters launched Yoga Bar under their company Sproutlife Foods Pvt. Ltd. They started small — selling their first multigrain bars in Bengaluru’s yoga studios and gyms, where their core audience already gathered.

Their promise was clear:

✅ No artificial additives

✅ No preservatives

✅ Honest, clean ingredients

From those humble beginnings, Yoga Bar quickly found a loyal following among young professionals, fitness enthusiasts, and parents looking for better options for their kids.

💪 Growth Beyond the Bars

After the success of their energy bars, the company expanded into protein bars, muesli, oats, nut butters, and breakfast cereals. Each product carried the same clean-label philosophy — real food, real taste, and real nutrition.

Their big break came when the brand caught the attention of major investors like Fireside Ventures and SAIF Partners, helping them scale manufacturing and distribution.

Even the pandemic couldn’t slow them down — they pivoted fast to online sales, becoming one of India’s most recognized homegrown health-snack brands.

🤝 A Strategic Leap with ITC

In 2023, Yoga Bar’s journey took a major turn. FMCG giant ITC Limited announced plans to acquire a 100% stake in Sproutlife Foods over 3–4 years, beginning with a 39.4% investment worth ₹175 crore.

The partnership meant Yoga Bar would retain its authentic, health-driven identity — while gaining ITC’s massive distribution network, R&D muscle, and supply-chain strength.

👶 What’s Next?

The sisters aren’t slowing down. Yoga Bar recently launched “Yoga Baby”, a natural baby food line — taking their clean-ingredient philosophy to the next generation. They’re also exploring new categories beyond breakfast and snacking, aiming to become a complete nutrition brand.

🌟 Lessons from the Yoga Bar Journey

• Start with your own pain point: The best business ideas often come from solving a problem you face yourself.

• Stay authentic: Consumers today reward honesty — and Yoga Bar built trust by staying transparent about ingredients.

• Scale smartly: Partnering with a large company like ITC wasn’t “selling out” — it was a strategic step to reach more people without compromising quality.