HEMANT GUPTA
Faridabad
Summary
Strategic hospitality leader with 22+ years of proven leadership in scaling multi-unit food retail businesses, driving operational excellence, and delivering sustained growth. Expert in P&L ownership, business transformation, and brand expansion across dynamic, fast-paced markets. Adept at building high-performance teams, optimizing customer experiences, and introducing innovative service models. Trusted leader in stakeholder management, regulatory compliance, and global brand alignment, with a consistent track record of launching successful outlets and turning around underperforming operations.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President – Café Business
Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters (India)
06.2026 - Current
- Leading the café business for a network of 300+ cafés across India, with end-to-end accountability for operations, profitability, customer experience, and an annual expansion of 150+ new café openings.
- Managing a business with annual revenues of ₹600+ crore, while leading a frontline workforce of 4,000+ employees across cafés and central support functions.
- Providing strategic leadership to Operations, Training, and Maintenance, driving execution excellence, capability building, and standardized operating practices across the network.
- Established a scalable New Store Opening (NSO) function with dedicated teams, governance, and standardized launch processes to support rapid expansion while ensuring operational readiness from Day 1.
- Driving operational transformation through process standardization, performance management systems, productivity improvements, and cost optimization to build a scalable, operations-led organization.
- Partnering with Business Development, Supply Chain, HR, Finance, and Marketing to accelerate profitable growth and deliver a consistent guest experience across all markets.
Chief Operating Officer
Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group (India)
01.2023 - 05.2026
- Led the India business with full accountability for operations, profitability, growth strategy, and business expansion across all restaurant formats.
- Doubled the business footprint within 12 months, launching 14 restaurants in just 8 months while consistently maintaining global brand standards and operational excellence.
- Re-engineered operational processes and built a scalable supply chain infrastructure to support accelerated growth and improve execution efficiency.
- Represented the India business in leadership forums with Jamie Oliver International (UK), ensuring compliance with global operating standards, governance, and brand guidelines.
- Strengthened capital allocation and unit economics through disciplined CapEx management, cost optimization, and operational efficiencies, creating a sustainable path to profitability.
- Introduced localized menu innovations and customer experience initiatives by successfully adapting international concepts for the Indian market.
- Built and developed high-performing leadership teams, strengthening operational capability and succession planning across the organization.
Chief Operating Officer
Wendy's India
01.2015 - 01.2023
- Led nationwide operations across 110 cloud kitchens and multiple dine-in restaurants, with full ownership of operations, profitability, people, and business performance.
- Successfully led the business transformation that culminated in Wendy's India becoming part of Rebel Foods, driving strategic growth, operational excellence, and digital expansion.
- Conceptualized and scaled India's largest international cloud kitchen network for Wendy's, establishing a highly efficient, digital-first operating model.
- Directed end-to-end P&L management, expansion strategy, operational excellence, and cross-functional execution across Operations, Supply Chain, HR, Marketing, and Finance.
- Built high-performing leadership teams and implemented robust operational systems that improved productivity, quality, customer satisfaction, and profitability.
- Received international training in Dubai and Manila, successfully adapting global best practices and operational standards for the Indian market.
- Played a key role in menu localization, digital growth initiatives, and delivery-first operational strategies that significantly expanded the brand's market presence.
Operations Consultant
McDonald's India (North & East Region)
06.2004 - 12.2014
- Earned promotion to Operations Manager in 2013, reflecting consistent high performance and leadership, with role transition deferred due to internal organizational restructuring.
- Managed operations for 39 restaurants, leading a workforce of 1,200+ employees with annual business revenues of approximately ₹300 crore.
- Delivered operational excellence by consistently improving restaurant profitability, customer satisfaction, food safety, and people performance across the region.
- Led restaurant managers and area leadership teams through structured coaching, succession planning, and leadership development programs.
- Improved restaurant profitability through localized marketing initiatives, productivity improvements, and disciplined cost management.
- Championed operational audits, food safety compliance, and customer experience programs, consistently delivering high operational standards.
- Drove employee engagement, training, and performance management initiatives that strengthened talent retention and leadership pipeline development.
Education
Executive General Management Program -
IIM AHMEDABAD
01-2021
MBA - Marketing & HR
HIMACHAL PRADESH UNIVERSITY
01-2011
B.Sc - Hospitality & Hotel Administration
IHM CHANDIGARH
01-2004
Skills
- Multi-Unit Operations Leadership
- Business Growth & Market Expansion
- P&L Ownership & Financial Turnaround
- Cloud Kitchen & Delivery Model Innovation
- Brand & Franchise Management
- Cross-Functional Team Leadership
- New Concept & Product Development
- Regulatory Compliance
- Investor & Stakeholder Relations
Timeline
Vice President – Café Business
Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters (India)
06.2026 - Current
Chief Operating Officer
Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group (India)
01.2023 - 05.2026
Chief Operating Officer
Wendy's India
01.2015 - 01.2023
Operations Consultant
McDonald's India (North & East Region)
06.2004 - 12.2014
Executive General Management Program -
IIM AHMEDABAD
MBA - Marketing & HR
HIMACHAL PRADESH UNIVERSITY
B.Sc - Hospitality & Hotel Administration
IHM CHANDIGARH