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KFC India appoints Suhayl Limbada as new Chief Marketing Officer
Seasoned marketer returns to the KFC fold after leading Thailand operations.
MUMBAI: KFC India has found a finger-lickin’ good new leader for its marketing efforts, one who knows the brand inside out. The fast-food chain has named Suhayl Limbada as its new Chief Marketing Officer, replacing Aparna Bhawal. Limbada brings with him a wealth of international experience, most recently as CMO and later Market Lead for KFC Thailand, where he oversaw a 1,250-restaurant business with full P&L responsibility.
In a LinkedIn post, Limbada described his four-plus years in Thailand as “the chapter of a lifetime.” During his tenure, the brand secured its first Cannes Lions Gold under Yum Brands and won over 80 creative awards.
Before Thailand, Limbada served as Marketing Director for KFC South Africa from 2018 to 2022 and earlier managed marketing across 16 African markets. His career began at Cadbury Schweppes in South Africa in 2006, followed by roles at Kraft Foods and Mondelēz.
Expressing his excitement for the new role, Limbada said he is “grateful for the opportunity to step into this next chapter with KFC India” and looks forward to shaping the brand that serves 1.4 billion people.
The appointment comes as KFC India continues to strengthen its position in one of the world’s most competitive and dynamic quick-service restaurant markets.
With a proven track record of driving growth and creative excellence across multiple continents, Suhayl Limbada is expected to bring fresh energy and strategic insight to KFC’s marketing efforts in India. The brand, known for its bold flavours and youthful appeal, appears well-positioned to benefit from his leadership as it looks to deepen consumer connections in the years ahead.
MAM
Indian soft drink bottlers forecast revenue recovery this fiscal
Hotter summer and deeper penetration expected to drive 15 per cent growth.
MUMBAI: India’s soft drink bottlers are set to fizz back to life thanks to a scorching summer that could turn up the heat on sales. After a subdued performance last year, revenues for the sector are projected to return to their long-term trajectory of around 15 per cent growth this fiscal, according to a report by Crisil Ratings. Summer months, which typically account for nearly 40 per cent of annual sales, are expected to provide a major boost, supported by above-normal temperatures forecast by the India Meteorological Department and the possible influence of El Niño conditions.
The analysis of 13 bottlers across carbonated drinks, juices, and packaged water points to a strong rebound in volumes, driven by both favourable weather and expanded distribution networks. Players have increased bottling capacities by 30–35 per cent over the past two fiscals while also strengthening cold chain infrastructure.
“Players have increased their bottling capacities by 30–35 per cent over the past two fiscals while also expanding distribution and cold chain infrastructure,” said Shounak Chakravarty of Crisil Ratings. “This, along with modest price hikes, should help drive double-digit volume growth and restore revenue momentum.”
However, the outlook is not without challenges. New entrants are gaining ground with products priced at popular points such as Rs 10 and Rs 20, along with indigenous flavours. Their market share has risen to an estimated 6–7 per cent in the last fiscal, up from around 2 per cent a year earlier.
Incumbents are expected to respond by increasing spending on marketing, distribution, and capacity expansion to protect their share. Profitability is also likely to face pressure from rising input costs, particularly packaging, which accounts for 20–22 per cent of total expenses due to higher crude oil prices amid West Asia tensions.
“Intensifying competition and reduced pricing flexibility, along with higher packaging costs, will moderate profitability this fiscal,” said Rucha Narkar of Crisil Ratings. Margins may decline by 200–250 basis points but are still expected to remain healthy at 15–16 per cent, supported by modest price hikes and a growing focus on zero-sugar variants.
Larger bottlers with pan-India presence are better positioned to weather these pressures, benefiting from stronger pricing power and economies of scale. Despite margin compression, cash flows are projected to remain stable, supporting continued investments in capacity and distribution, including visi-coolers at retail outlets.
Capital expenditure intensity is expected to ease slightly this fiscal after a surge last year driven by acquisitions. As a result, key credit metrics such as debt-to-Ebitda and interest coverage ratios are likely to improve, pointing to stable credit profiles for the industry.
In a sector where weather can make or break the season, this year’s hotter summer could be the perfect ingredient for a refreshing rebound in revenues. For India’s soft drink bottlers, the forecast is finally looking fizzy again.
