RAHUL SHINDE
Rahul Shinde, Former CEO, Yum! Brands
Rahul Shinde is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in strategy, operations, brand development, and business growth across diverse geographies, including the US, Europe, Asia, and India. He has a proven track record of influencing internal and external stakeholders to achieve business objectives, balancing conflicting expectations, and building strong business organizations and relationships.
In his last assignment Rahul served as the CEO of Devyani International Limited, India’s largest Yum franchisee, where he rebooted the KFC and Pizza Hut organizations to focus on sales-driven operations execution and sustained new unit growth. As the former CEO of Yum! Brands, Rahul led the company’s strategic growth initiatives, leveraging his consumer-centric approach, analytical skills, and operational expertise. He has also served as General Manager of KFC Greater Asia, overseeing $2 billion in sales across 2,000 restaurants in Japan, Indonesia, Korea, Myanmar, and Mongolia.
Rahul’s professional journey began at McKinsey & Company, where he worked as an Engagement Manager, leading teams to identify and implement growth strategies for Fortune 100 clients. He later transitioned to JCPenney as Director of Corporate Strategy, driving transformation initiatives and developing new store formats.
At Yum! Restaurants International, Rahul held various leadership roles, including Managing Director of KFC Indian subcontinent, Chief Operations Excellence Officer for KFC Great Britain, and Director of Corporate Strategic Planning. He also served as Chief Financial Officer of Taco Bell Global.
Rahul has been instrumental in driving business growth through technology advancements, redefining business models, operational processes, and customer experience. He has successfully led organizations through periods of change, including navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rahul holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an MSc in Manufacturing Systems Engineering, and a BE in Mechanical Engineering from COEP Technological University.
