In the ever-evolving world of food and hospitality, leadership today is about more than running a business; it’s about shaping culture, setting benchmarks, and redefining excellence in one of the world’s most competitive industries.
The second edition of The Restaurant Times Global Powerlist celebrates the most influential C-suite executives driving transformation across the food and hospitality sector in India.
These are leaders reshaping brands, markets, and business models. The Powerlist recognizes executives whose influence goes beyond the boardroom, those who are redefining consumer expectations, industry practices, and the future of food in India and beyond.
Restaurant Executives
Chandan Tiwari
From the bustling streets of Delhi to tier-2 cities across India, Chandan Tiwari has redefined what it means to grow at scale. With over 27 years in the F&B industry, he’s not just managing brands like KFC and Pizza Hut; he’s nurturing ecosystems of excellence. Under his leadership, Yum! Brands in the Indian Subcontinent has found its unique rhythm: disciplined operations blended with local flavor. For Chandan, success lies in harmonizing global systems with India’s dynamic consumption patterns, ensuring every outlet delivers not just food, but familiarity, speed, and satisfaction.
Suman Hegde
At the financial helm of Jubilant FoodWorks, which spans over 1000+ food outlets, Suman Hegde combines precision with progressiveness. With nearly two decades of expertise, Suman’s leadership is all about sustainable growth, innovation, and fiscal integrity. She’s the strategist behind the scenes, ensuring that bold ideas are built on a solid, scalable foundation.
Sanjay Purohit
Sanjay Purohit is the Group CEO of Sapphire Foods and a Partner at Samara Capital, leading one of India’s largest food service platforms with over 500 outlets. His 24+ years of industry expertise span food retail, consumer products, and private equity. Sanjay’s leadership embodies a unique blend of strategic foresight and operational discipline, shaping Sapphire Foods into a resilient, growth-oriented enterprise that thrives on customer-centricity and innovation.
Rahul Agarwal
Rahul Agarwal isn’t just leading a beloved restaurant brand; he’s crafting an experience where customers return for the food and the feeling. With over 20 years in the industry, Rahul has steered Barbeque Nation into an expansive footprint of 200+ outlets in India and internationally in the UAE, Malaysia, and Oman. His leadership is characterized by a deep understanding of consumer preferences, operational innovation, and a relentless focus on scalable excellence.
Priyank Sukhija
With over 30 restaurants and 23 years in the business, Priyank Sukhija is a prolific restaurateur and a respected name in India’s F&B industry. Driven by passion and a keen palate, he has built an impressive empire from the ground up. Under his leadership, First Fiddle Restaurants has launched some of the most talked-about brands in the country, including Diablo, Lord of the Drinks, Plum by Bent Chair, Lazeez Affaire, Tamasha, and The Flying Saucer Cafe. Priyank’s intuitive understanding of consumer tastes, combined with his relentless drive, has positioned him as a visionary leader shaping India’s dynamic culinary landscape.
Amit Bagga
Amit Bagga brings a creative flair and strategic rigor to the evolving Indian dining scene. With 13+ years of entrepreneurial and brand-building expertise, he co-founded Daryaganj, a restaurant chain with 11 outlets across India. His leadership philosophy intertwines innovation with nostalgia, reviving classic recipes while embracing modern operational models. Amit’s approach has made Daryaganj a destination where heritage meets contemporary hospitality.
Kazem Samandari
Kazem Samandari brought French pastry and a philosophy of grace to India. L’Opéra, with its Parisian charm and Indian soul, is a reflection of his patient, precise leadership. With just 15 outlets, his focus has never been on numbers; it’s on nuance. Kazem’s legacy is layered: quality over quantity, elegance over excess, and the belief that true luxury lies in consistency and care.
Krishan Kumar Chutani
Krishan Kumar Chutani brings 32+ years of experience in the FMCG and retail space to his role as CEO of Haldiram’s Snacks Pvt. Ltd. Under his leadership, the brand has expanded to over 150 outlets while retaining its cultural roots and wide appeal. Krishan’s vision emphasizes balancing tradition with transformation, ensuring Haldiram’s legacy continues to thrive in an evolving marketplace.
Sameer Bhasin
Sameer Bhasin leads with a passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences. As the CEO of Nando’s India for over 25 years, he has cultivated the brand’s signature peri-peri charm nationwide. His leadership is marked by a hands-on approach, combining global brand ethos with local adaptability, ensuring Nando’s remains a vibrant player in India’s competitive dining landscape.
Matt Chitharanjan
Matt Chitharanjan started a coffee brand and sparked a cultural shift. What began as a humble roasting operation is now a 100+ outlet movement bringing specialty coffee to the Indian mainstream. His leadership feels less like corporate growth and more like an invitation to slow down, savor, and care. With Blue Tokai, Matt has turned a niche experience into a lifestyle, one cup at a time; bridging Indian growers and urban consumers through transparency, artistry, and soul.
Sagar J. Daryani
Sagar J. Daryani is the Co-Founder & CEO of Wow! Momo, India’s largest homegrown quick-service restaurant (QSR) chain specializing in momos and fast food. He launched the brand in 2008, alongside his classmate Binod Homagai, with just ₹30,000 and a single kiosk in Kolkata. Today, Wow! Momo operates 680+ outlets across 35 cities, generating ₹2,000 crore in annual revenue. Daryani is known for his innovative approach to brand building, introducing unique products like Moburg (momo burger) and Butter Masala Momos. His leadership has earned Wow! Momo multiple accolades, including the National Entrepreneurship Award (2016) and Economic Times 40 Under Forty (2019).
Hotel Executives
Patu Keswani
Patu Keswani is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Lemon Tree Hotels, one of India’s leading hospitality brands. Under his leadership, Lemon Tree has expanded to 111 hotels across 70 cities. Keswani has championed inclusive hiring, with 17% of Lemon Tree’s workforce comprising individuals with disabilities. His efforts earned the company multiple National Awards from the President of India for its commitment to accessibility. Keswani has received numerous accolades, including the Business Today Best CEO Award (2024), HVS Anarock Industry Leader of the Year (2023), and Lifetime Achievement Award from IIHM (2021). He was also named one of the 100 Most Powerful People in Global Hospitality by the International Hospitality Institute (2022).
Puneet Chhatwal
Puneet Chhatwal has been the Managing Director & CEO of The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) since November 2017, driving the brand’s transformation and expansion. With nearly four decades of global hospitality experience, he has led IHCL’s re-imagination strategy, fostering sustainable and profitable growth. Before IHCL, he was the CEO of Steigenberger Hotels AG – Deutsche Hospitality and Chief Development Officer at The Rezidor Hotel Group – Carlson Hotels Worldwide. A Delhi University and ESSEC, Paris graduate, he also completed an Advanced Management Program at INSEAD. Chhatwal chairs the National Committee of Tourism and Hospitality (CII) and the Hotel Association of India.
Anuraag Bhatnagar
Anuraag Bhatnagar is the Chief Executive Officer of The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, overseeing India’s luxury hospitality portfolio. With over 35 years of experience, he has held leadership roles at Oberoi, Starwood, and Marriott International, shaping his expertise in luxury hotel management. Since joining The Leela, Bhatnagar has focused on expanding the brand’s footprint, enhancing guest experiences, and driving operational excellence. He also launched the Leela Leadership Development Program (LLDP) to nurture future industry leaders. Known as the “Man with the Midas Touch,” he continues to elevate The Leela’s reputation as a symbol of Indian luxury.
Nikhil Sharma
Nikhil Sharma is the Managing Director & Chief Operating Officer of Radisson Hotel Group, South Asia, overseeing the brand’s strategic growth and regional operations. He was appointed in April 2024, bringing extensive experience in business development, operations, and hospitality leadership. Before joining Radisson, Sharma held key roles at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, where he served as Market Managing Director, Eurasia, and Ginger Hotels, where he was Chief Operating Officer. He was also a founding member of Lemon Tree Hotels, contributing to the growth of India’s upscale hotel segment. His leadership focuses on expansion, revenue growth, and strengthening Radisson’s presence in India, where the group operates nearly 199 hotels. Sharma is also actively involved in industry committees and associations, shaping transformative decisions in South Asia’s hospitality sector.
Vikramjit Singh Oberoi
Vikramjit Singh Oberoi is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of EIH Limited, the flagship company of The Oberoi Group. He assumed this role in April 2015, bringing over 25 years of experience in luxury hospitality. A graduate in science from Pepperdine University, California, he has held various executive roles within EIH since joining its Board in 1993. His leadership spans operations, strategy, and international expansion. In addition to his role at EIH, he serves as Director across several affiliated entities in India and abroad, including Oberoi Hotels Private Limited and PT Astina Graha Ubud Indonesia, reflecting his wide-ranging influence in the sector.
Dr. Jyotsna Suri
Dr. Jyotsna Suri has led The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group since 2006, overseeing its growth into one of India’s leading privately-owned hotel brands. The Group operates 12 luxury properties under The LaLiT brand, two mid-segment hotels, and an international outpost in London. She was awarded Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun for strengthening bilateral ties in tourism and business, making her the first Indian woman to receive the honour. Dr. Suri has held leadership roles across FICCI, HAI, and WTTC India, and has received more than 30 national and international recognitions for her contributions to hospitality and industry.
Rajeev Menon
Rajeev Menon serves as President of Marriott International, Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC), leading operations across a diverse and fast-growing region. With over 30 years in hospitality (and 22 of those with Marriott), he oversees performance, brand execution, and strategic initiatives across key markets. Recognized with industry honours including Marriott’s General Manager of the Year and the Hall of Fame Award (2017), he brings deep operational insight shaped by global experience. Rajeev is also Vice Chair of the Tourism Committee at the US/ASEAN Business Council. A Harvard Business School alumnus, he continues to shape Marriott’s presence in Asia Pacific’s dynamic hospitality market.
Ashutosh Chhibba
Ashutosh Chhibba is the Chief Executive Officer of WelcomHeritage Hotels, appointed in February 2025. With over 30 years of experience, he has held leadership roles at ITC Hotels, managing iconic properties like ITC Maurya, ITC Mughal, ITC Kakatiya, and Welcomgroup Chola Sheraton. Chhibba has extensive expertise in luxury hospitality, operations, and revenue optimization. He has also led international projects, including the launch of the acclaimed Dum Pukht restaurant in Riyadh. His leadership at WelcomHeritage focuses on expansion, innovation, and preserving India’s cultural heritage.
Priya Paul
Priya Paul is the Chairperson & Executive Director of The Park Hotels, a leading luxury boutique hotel chain in India. She took over the hospitality division of Apeejay Surrendra Group in 1990, following the passing of her father, Surrendra Paul. Under her leadership, The Park Hotels has evolved into a trendsetting brand, known for its contemporary design, vibrant nightlife, and innovative hospitality experiences. She pioneered the boutique hotel concept in India, launching Zone by The Park and The Park Collection to cater to diverse travelers. Paul is a founding member of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) – India Initiative and has served as Chairperson of the Hotel Association of India. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 2012 for her contributions to Indian hospitality. Her vision continues to shape modern luxury and experiential travel in India.
Anil Chadha
Anil Chadha is the managing director of ITC Hotels Limited, leading the brand’s growth, expansion, and enhancement of customer experience across India. With a three-decade-long association with ITC Hotels, he has played a pivotal role in strengthening its luxury and premium hospitality portfolio. Under his leadership, ITC Hotels has launched Mementoes and Storii, expanding its distinctive brand offerings. He has also championed sustainability, overseeing the development of Carbon Zero and LEED Platinum Certified Hotels. Chadha’s career spans Delhi, Agra, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Chennai, where he mastered luxury hospitality, customer insights, and business strategy. His leadership is defined by attention to detail, persistence, and talent development, earning him multiple industry accolades, including Hotelier of the Year (BBC Food Awards 2018) and General Manager of the Year (Business World Hotelier).
Closing Note
This edition of The Restaurant Times Global Powerlist 2025 recognises the leaders driving a new era of growth and resilience in the Indian food and hospitality landscape. With foresight, adaptability, and strategic clarity, they are leading businesses and shaping the industry’s future.
As global dynamics shift and expectations rise, these leaders exemplify what it means to build at scale, lead with intent, and create lasting value in one of the world’s most dynamic sectors.
