Educational Background and Early Career

Srivastava holds a B.Sc. in Hospitality & Hotel Administration from IHM Lucknow and an MBA in Retail & Merchandising Management from BIMTECH. His career commenced in the hospitality industry, where he gained foundational experience in operations and customer service.

Professional Trajectory

His initial roles included positions at KFC India, where he managed real estate and expansion efforts, and at Starbucks India, where he contributed to market research, store strategy, and layout planning. Srivastava’s tenure at Chaayos and Jubilant FoodWorks further honed his skills in business development, real estate strategy, and multi-brand expansion.

At Raymond Limited, Srivastava led business development and real estate expansion across various brands, including The Raymond Shop and Park Avenue. This experience broadened his understanding of retail dynamics beyond the food and beverage sector.

Devyani International’s Growth and Challenges

Devyani International has experienced significant growth, reporting a 39.2% year-on-year increase in revenue for FY25, totaling ₹4,951 crore. The company added 257 net new stores during the fiscal year, bringing its total to 2,039 outlets across India, Thailand, Nigeria, and Nepal. However, this expansion has been accompanied by challenges, including increased operating expenses and pressure on profit margins.

The company’s core brands—KFC, Pizza Hut, and Costa Coffee—have shown mixed performance. While Costa Coffee demonstrated strong momentum with a 30.8% revenue growth, KFC and Pizza Hut faced declines in same-store sales, indicating potential areas for operational improvement.

Strategic Focus Areas for Srivastava

In his new role, Srivastava is expected to focus on several key areas:

• Real Estate Optimization: Ensuring cost-effective lease agreements and efficient store layouts to improve profitability.
• Format Innovation: Developing smaller, delivery-focused store formats to adapt to changing consumer behaviors.
• Expansion into Tier II and III Cities: Identifying and capitalizing on growth opportunities in smaller cities to drive future growth.
• Brand Integration: Streamlining operations and aligning development strategies across Devyani’s diverse brand portfolio.

Akash Srivastava’s appointment as Chief Development Officer at Devyani International marks a strategic move to strengthen the company’s expansion efforts and operational efficiency. His extensive experience in real estate and business development positions him to address the challenges associated with rapid growth and to contribute to Devyani’s continued success in the competitive QSR industry.

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Masala Republic, the foodservice restaurant located on the first floor of the building, boasts an all-vegetarian menu catering to the tastes of young, urban individuals who appreciate exceptional food and desserts. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes, including Fusion Chaat, Modern Indian, Continental, Chinese, and more.

Additionally, the establishment offers a special selection of South Indian sweets such as Bobbatlu, Bellam Ariselu, Putharekulus, Kaju Pakam, and a variety of namkeens like Chekkalus, Chekodis, Murrukkus, and Sakinalus, all available at Dadu’s. The brand also features Turkish delicacies, dry fruits, high-quality gelato in fusion flavors like motichoor gelato and rose kheer gelato, and a selection of bakery items.

One standout feature is the Interactive Gifting Station, where customers can create personalized gift hampers for any occasion. These hampers and gift boxes are fully customizable and assembled on the spot for the customer.

Speaking on the occasion, Rajesh Dadu, Owner, Dadu’s Sweets, said, “We are extremely excited and pleased with the opening of our newest outlet at Kompally, Hyderabad. We are confident about this new location and our latest banquet space, and we anticipate great success from here. Our brand has been expanding rapidly in recent years and is now ready for exponential growth with the upcoming establishment of a cutting-edge factory this year. This new outlet will enrich the overall portfolio of Dadu’s Group. We have plans to unveil several more branches in the near future.”

Muskaan Dadu, Managing Partner, added, “Without a doubt, our latest services will ensure complete satisfaction for our customers. In the near future, we plan to open two more stores at the airport and one in the city. Our vision is to see the esteemed traditions of our mithai craftsmanship go beyond borders with our upcoming export plans. Our main objective is to prioritize excellence in quality, exceed customer expectations, and enhance celebrations with the unique Dadu’s touch.”

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Commenting on the new establishment, Gagan Anand, Founder, Scuzo Ice ‘O’ Magic, said, “We are thrilled to launch our first lounge and are passionate about creating unforgettable culinary experiences. With our Dehradun location, we are eager to demonstrate our dedication to innovation and quality, inviting customers to explore diverse cuisines within a vibrant lounge setting. We are confident that this new venture, starting in Dehradun, will expand to other cities such as Delhi/NCR, Bangalore, Rajkot, and Hyderabad, and will be a great success.”

Scuzo Ice ‘O’ Magic combines healthy desserts with Italian delicacies. The brand creates a perfect blend of ‘Italiano Cucina’ and healthy desserts. Whether customers wish to enjoy a classic pasta dish with a refreshing beverage or a slice of authentic Italian pizza, Scuzo has focused on every aspect of the desserts and delicacies. The brand also plans to extend its presence to other cities across the country.

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