Devyani International Names New Leaders for Pizza Hut, Costa Coffee

Devyani International Limited has appointed two key senior managers, effective April 6, 2026. Sandeep Anand will become Chief Marketing Officer and Business Head for Pizza Hut. Robinder Singh has been named Business Head for Costa Coffee and Airport retail outlets.

Why this matters

These appointments show Devyani International's focus on bolstering leadership for its key brands. The company aims to improve marketing and operations for Pizza Hut, Costa Coffee, and airport retail by bringing in experienced leaders, hoping to drive better performance and expansion.

Company background

Devyani International is a major force in India's quick-service restaurant (QSR) sector, running more than 2,000 outlets for brands like KFC, Pizza Hut, and Costa Coffee. The company is actively growing. It recently announced a major merger with Sapphire Foods India, which is expected to form one of India's largest QSR groups with over 3,000 stores and a unified Yum! India franchise for KFC and Pizza Hut. Devyani has also increased its stake in Indian cuisine brands, buying Sky Gate Hospitality, showing a varied growth plan beyond international franchises. Earlier in 2026, Manish Dawar was appointed President & CEO to oversee the Sapphire merger.

Key appointments and focus areas

• Sandeep Anand (Chief Marketing Officer and Business Head, Pizza Hut): This role focuses on enhancing marketing strategies and overall business operations for the Pizza Hut brand.
• Robinder Singh (Business Head, Costa Coffee & Airports): This position is dedicated to capitalizing on growth opportunities within Costa Coffee and the airport retail segment.
• These leadership additions are expected to drive improved brand performance and strategic execution.

Risks to watch

No specific risks were mentioned in the filing related to these appointments.

Peer comparison

Devyani International operates in a competitive QSR landscape. Its peers include:

• Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd: A major competitor operating Domino's Pizza and Dunkin' Donuts in India, and Popeyes internationally.
• Sapphire Foods India Ltd: Another significant Yum! Brands franchisee (KFC, Pizza Hut) in India, currently merging with Devyani, but historically a competitor.
• Restaurant Brands Asia Ltd: Operates Burger King and Tim Hortons in India and Indonesia.

These companies also focus on strengthening their operational and marketing leadership to drive growth in the fast-evolving Indian QSR market.

Key Metrics

• As of December 31, 2024, Devyani International managed over 2,030 stores in India, Thailand, Nigeria, and Nepal (standalone).
• The merger with Sapphire Foods India is projected to become effective April 1, 2026 (consolidated).

What to track next

• The execution of strategies by the new appointees for Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee.
• The successful integration of leadership teams following the impending merger with Sapphire Foods.
• Any further announcements regarding senior management roles or organisational structure changes.
• Performance updates for Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee segments in future quarterly results.
• How these appointments contribute to the overall growth trajectory of Devyani International post-merger.