Gurugram, Haryana, India, May 2026 — Devyani International Limited (DIL), India’s largest franchisee for KFC and Pizza Hut, has reappointed Manish Dawar as Whole-time Director (President & Chief Executive Officer) for a new term effective 17 February 2027, reinforcing leadership continuity at one of India’s most prominent quick service restaurant operators.
Dawar currently serves as President & Group Chief Executive Officer at Devyani International Limited, having assumed the role in April 2026 after serving as Group CFO & Executive Director since January 2021. During his tenure, he has played a pivotal role in driving strategic growth, operational scale, financial transformation, investor confidence, and long-term expansion across the company’s diversified food service portfolio.
Before joining DIL, Dawar served as Chief Integration & Transformation Officer at Vodafone Idea Limited, where he led large-scale business integration and transformation initiatives following one of India’s most significant telecom mergers. Earlier, he served as Chief Financial Officer at Vodafone India, overseeing financial strategy during a critical business transition period.
Prior to Vodafone, Dawar was Group CFO at DEN Networks Limited, where he managed finance for one of India’s leading cable, broadband, and digital media companies. His global leadership credentials also include serving as CFO – Konkola Resources plc at Vedanta Group in Zambia.
Dawar’s distinguished international corporate career includes over a decade at Reckitt Benckiser, where he served as Senior Vice President – Group Controller in the UK and earlier as Regional Finance Director South Asia & CFO for India operations. He also held significant leadership roles at Reebok International Limited and Hindustan Unilever Limited, building a strong foundation in finance, governance, retail, and multinational business strategy.
With over three decades of leadership across consumer goods, QSR, retail, telecom, media, and global finance, Dawar’s reappointment signals Devyani International’s commitment to strategic continuity, business excellence, and accelerated market leadership.
About Devyani International Limited
Devyani International Limited (DIL) is among India’s leading quick service restaurant operators and the largest franchisee of Yum! Brands for KFC and Pizza Hut in India. DIL is also the sole franchisee for Costa Coffee in India and operates multiple food and beverage brands, including Vaango and extensive airport food court operations.
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