The appointments were approved by the company’s Board of Directors through a circular resolution passed on April 3, following recommendations from the Nomination and Remuneration Committee—underscoring a structured approach to leadership transition.

Leadership Transition at Pizza Hut

Sandeep Anand will take charge from April 6, 2026, succeeding Vijay Gogate, who currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Pizza Hut within the company. This transition marks a notable shift in leadership structure for one of Devyani International’s key QSR brands in India, with a sharper focus on integrated marketing and business leadership.

Sandeep Anand: Driving Scale Through Brand and Platform Leadership

With close to two decades of experience across consumer tech, FMCG, and QSR, Anand brings a strong track record of building and transforming large-scale businesses. In his previous role at Domino’s, he served as Chief Marketing Officer and Business Head – Platforms (Swiggy & Zomato), leading all-India operations across 1,850+ restaurants spanning delivery, dine-in, and takeaway channels.

His portfolio includes leading and scaling power brands such as Dettol, Horlicks, Complan, SugarFree, Veet, Domino’s, Zomato and Strepsils. His core expertise lies in brand strategy, innovation, performance marketing, CRM, and delivering superior customer experience through strong on-ground execution. Anand has also been part of the South Asia Leadership Teams at Domino’s and Zomato, managing large, cross-functional teams.

Robinder Singh to Lead Costa Coffee and Airport Businesses

Robinder Singh takes on the role of Business Head for Costa Coffee and airport operations, bringing a strong focus on operational excellence and strategic growth. His experience spans operations management, long-term planning, profitability optimisation, and process improvement.

Singh is known for his ability to align business strategy with execution, drive efficiency, and build high-performing teams. His expertise in cross-functional collaboration, marketing initiatives, and problem-solving positions him well to scale Costa Coffee and strengthen the company’s presence in high-footfall airport locations.

A Strategic Push for Growth and Efficiency

This leadership restructuring reflects Devyani International’s broader intent to drive brand growth, enhance customer experience, and improve operational efficiency across its portfolio. By bringing together strong marketing leadership and operational depth, the company is positioning itself to navigate the next phase of growth in India’s evolving QSR landscape.

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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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The brand’s evolution in India has been dynamic, aligning seamlessly with the evolving consumer landscape. With a focus on deepening its relevance, KFC has introduced a menu blending globally renowned favorites like the Hot & Crispy Bucket and Zinger Burger with innovative, limited-time offerings rooted in local flavors.

At the forefront of technological advancements, KFC leads with 20+ all-digital Smart Restaurants. Employing cutting-edge technology, including self-ordering digital kiosks and App ordering, the brand has set new industry standards for seamless consumer access, enhancing efficiency and convenience.

KFC’s growth narrative goes beyond numerical achievements. Initiatives like KFC Kshamata prioritize diversity and inclusivity, doubling the number of Special KFCs operated by speech & hearing-impaired employees. The brand’s India Sahyog, initiated in 2021, supports 1,000 local restaurants and food joints in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era.

In a gesture of social responsibility, KFC has pledged support to 1,000 underprivileged families across India with food rations to commemorate the opening of its 1,000th restaurant.

The success of KFC is inseparable from its collaboration with franchise partners Devyani International Limited and Sapphire Foods India Limited. Ravi Jaipuria, of Devyani International, expressed pride in the brand’s journey and anticipates unlocking the next phase of growth together.  “At Devyani International, we are extremely proud to have been a part of the brand’s journey since it entered India in 1995. We wholly support KFC’s ambitions to grow inclusively with India and contribute to the economy along the way. We look forward to unlocking this next phase of growth, together.”

KFC’s commitment to driving meaningful change in India is evident through the launch of 20+ sustainable restaurants. Emphasizing responsible practices, the brand has shifted to using recyclable, compostable, or biodegradable materials, saving over 3,000 metric tonnes of plastic wastage.

Present in 240+ towns and cities, KFC continues its expansion, entering 20+ new geographies in 2023. Sanjay Purohit, representing Sapphire Foods, envisions the 1,000 restaurants as the beginning of sustained growth, highlighting KFC’s status as one of the nation’s beloved restaurant brands. “Sapphire Foods believes that this is just the start of many years of growth, and we are excited to be a part of the next chapter of KFC in India. We look forward to a sustained and fruitful partnership with Yum and KFC for many decades to come.”

Moksh Chopra, General Manager of KFC India, eagerly anticipates the next phase of continued growth. “KFC is proud to be a part of the India growth story along with our franchise partners. KFC is a global brand with a local heart, committed to growing together with the nation and we are especially proud of our restaurant teams, including the specially abled teams, who have played a pivotal part in our journey.”

Today the brand is present in 240+ towns and cities, with 20+ new geographies entered in 2023.

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