Suparjya Swain 
BHUBANESWAR: Pizza Hut, a division of the US-based Yum! Brands, has announced the appointment of Rohan Pewekar as the new Managing Director for the Indian Subcontinent. This significant leadership change, effective immediately, sees Pewekar taking over from Merrill Pereyra, who is stepping down from the role.
In his new position, Pewekar will oversee Pizza Hut’s operations across India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. He will be based in Gurugram, where he will guide the brand’s strategic direction and growth in these key markets.
Pewekar has been an integral part of Pizza Hut for over four years, during which he significantly contributed to the brand’s expansion as the Chief Strategy and Finance Officer. His leadership has been instrumental in driving Pizza Hut’s rapid growth in the region. Prior to his tenure at Pizza Hut, Pewekar worked with Samsung Electronics India, bringing a wealth of experience in the consumer electronics sector.
With over 15 years of experience in B2C sectors across various countries, Pewekar brings a broad range of skills to his new role, including expertise in finance, go-to-market strategies, and channel expansion.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Pewekar said, “Pizza Hut has seen incredible growth, now reaching close to 900 restaurants across 200 cities in India, and I am honored to lead the brand in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.” He highlighted the promising outlook for the Indian food services industry, noting its double-digit growth and Pizza Hut’s strategic position to capitalize on this momentum.
Pewekar also extended his gratitude to Merrill Pereyra for his mentorship, which he credits as being crucial in preparing him for this next chapter. He expressed eagerness to work closely with Pizza Hut’s talented team and dedicated franchisee partners to drive continued growth, deliver exceptional results, and set new benchmarks for success.
