Restaurant Brands Asia Elevates Sumit Zaveri as India CEO Amid Strategic Expansion
Restaurant Brands Asia (RBA), the parent company managing Burger King’s operations in India and Indonesia, has announced a significant leadership transition. Effective November 1, 2026, Sumit Pushkar Zaveri will step into the role of Chief Executive Officer for the India business. Zaveri, who currently serves as the Group Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer, will continue to report to Group CEO Rajeev Varman.
The appointment was formalized by the company’s board on October 29, following a recommendation from the Nomination and Remuneration Committee. This move is part of a broader organizational restructuring aimed at bolstering RBA’s market presence and operational efficiency within the highly competitive quick-service restaurant (QSR) sector.
A Focus on Growth and Operational Excellence
Group CEO Rajeev Varman emphasized that the company’s primary objectives remain focused on robust sales growth, strict cost management, and the aggressive scaling of its restaurant footprint. Zaveri brings over 28 years of professional experience to the position. Before his tenure at RBA—which began in 2019—he held significant roles at major organizations, including Tata Starbucks, The Indian Hotels Company, and Nature’s Basket. His deep expertise in finance, treasury, and capital management is expected to be a major asset as RBA looks to consolidate its gains in India.
The timing of this leadership shift aligns with the company’s strong financial performance. In the second quarter of FY27, RBA’s India operations reported revenues of Rs 705.6 crore, representing a 24.1% year-on-year increase. Same-store sales growth (SSSG) reached 14%, a notable improvement over the 12.6% recorded in the previous quarter. With a network of 607 outlets as of September, the company remains on track to add between 80 and 100 new restaurants annually using a cluster-based expansion model.
Strengthening Profitability
Financial metrics for the quarter demonstrate significant operational improvements. Gross margins climbed to 70.4% from 68.3% in the year-ago period, aided by a reduction in material costs relative to revenue. Furthermore, restaurant-level EBITDA (before Ind AS 116) grew by over 53%, signaling that RBA’s efforts to streamline processes and optimize supply chains are yielding tangible results.
Sweeping Organizational Changes
Zaveri’s elevation is only one piece of a larger management overhaul at RBA. Following a change in ownership this past July—where a consortium led by Lenexis Foodworks took over as the new promoter—the company is reshaping its leadership team to prioritize innovation and efficiency.
Several key appointments accompany Zaveri’s transition:
- Kiran Komatla steps in as Group Chief Technology Officer.
- Nitin Bhayana takes the role of Group Chief Asset Procurement Officer.
- Sumeer Bedi has been appointed Chief Business Development Officer.
- Deepa Prasad will lead as Chief Supply Chain Officer.
- Gaurav Ajjan and Bhavika Dave will manage Corporate Development/Investor Relations and the legal function, respectively.
As RBA continues to focus on value-driven menu offerings and digital engagement, the new leadership team is tasked with maintaining this momentum in an evolving market, ensuring that Burger King remains a dominant force in the Indian QSR landscape.
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