Billionaire Profile
Manohar Lal Agarwal
Global Rank
#1287

Image: Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons

Manohar Lal Agarwal

CEO, Haldiram Snacks Food Limited
IN
Real-Time Net Worth
$3.1B
As of December 2025
Age
71
Source
Snacks
Industry
food-beverage
Citizenship
IN

Biography

Manohar Lal Agarwal, at 71 years old, is a prominent Indian businessman, best known for his pivotal role in the success of Haldiram's, a major player in the Indian snacks and sweets market. His source of wealth is primarily derived from his ventures in the food and beverage industry, particularly snacks. Through strategic vision and business acumen, he transformed a family snack business into a global enterprise. He is known for modernizing the packaging and presentation in the Indian snacks industry. His career has been marked by significant achievements in the food industry, contributing to the expansion and success of Haldiram's, and now is one of the key stakeholders in the company.

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Manohar Lal Agarwal's journey began in the 1930s, as the grandson of Ganga Bishan Agarwal, who started selling snacks in Bikaner, Rajasthan. Manohar Lal, along with his brother Madhusudan Agarwal, inherited and expanded the family business, contributing to what it is today.

Rise to Success

Manohar Lal Agarwal, along with his brother Shiv Kishan, played a crucial role in growing the business. His strategic vision and focus on quality, packaging, and innovation were key to the company's expansion. The brothers were instrumental in setting up the first factory in Delhi, which would become a cornerstone of their distribution network. Together they expanded and innovated to the global snack empire of Haldiram's. The company expanded to over 100 countries and is one of the most recognized brands in the world.

Key Business Strategies

Haldiram's success can be attributed to several key strategies. The company focused on quality ingredients and authentic recipes while innovating with modern packaging. Manohar Lal Agarwal, with his foresight, put significant emphasis on packaging and presentation, which became industry norms. Distribution was another key area, with Haldiram's establishing a strong presence across India. They also adapted the brand to the ever-changing needs of the customers and have expanded into modern trends.

Philanthropy

Details of Manohar Lal Agarwal's philanthropic activities are not readily available in the search results.

Career Milestones

1983

Expansion to Delhi

Manohar Lal Agarwal started Haldiram's operations in Delhi, expanding the business beyond its origins.

1989

Director of Haldiram Snacks Private Limited

Appointed as director of Haldiram Snacks Private Limited, a key entity in the Haldiram's empire.

2001

EY's Entrepreneur of the Year

Recognized as EY's Entrepreneur of the Year for modernizing the Indian snacks industry.

2023

Merger of Delhi and Nagpur arms

The Delhi and Nagpur branches of Haldiram's merged to create Haldiram Snacks Food Limited, headquartered in Delhi.

2025

Temasek Stake

Temasek took a 10% stake in Haldiram's