Pizza Hut, a division of US-based Yum! Brands, today announced the appointment of Manish Guptaa as the new Chief Marketing Officer for Pizza Hut India. In this role, Manish will be responsible for all marketing and branding efforts, with a mandate to strengthen Pizza Hut’s position and relevance in India’s evolving food market. In the interim, he will continue to lead the Digital and Technology function until a new leader is announced.
With a vision to make Pizza Hut more accessible and appealing to a younger, wider audience, Guptaa will drive initiatives anchored in a back-to-core strategy delivering great value, launching craveable innovations, and creating distinctive campaigns that resonate with modern consumers. Beyond this, he will be central to sharpening Pizza Hut’s brand positioning in India, strengthening its cultural relevance, deepening everyday connect with younger audiences, and steering the brand’s transformation for the next phase of growth.
Guptaa, who has been with Pizza Hut since 2019, spearheaded tech-led innovations as Chief Digital and Technology Officer building a robust performance marketing engine, scaling digital commerce, and embedding data-driven decision-making at the core of brand strategy. His leadership has been instrumental in reshaping Pizza Hut’s digital and consumer engagement playbook.
With over 20 years of experience in QSR, auto, and consumer technology sectors, Guptaa brings a mix of strategic, leadership, and consumer-focused experience. This will help him lead Pizza Hut’s marketing and brand efforts in India, keeping the brand aligned with market shifts. Outside of work, he mentors young professionals and participates in teaching and speaking forums as a way to stay curious, continue learning, and engage with the next generation.
Speaking on the appointment, Rohan Pewekar, Managing Director, Pizza Hut Indian Subcontinent, said: “Manish has been a driving force behind some of our most impactful digital innovations and campaigns in recent years. His deep understanding of consumer behavior, combined with his strategic and tech- forward mindset, makes him the ideal leader to steer our marketing strategy into its next phase of growth. We are excited to see him take on the role of CMO and further strengthen Pizza Hut’s position as the brand of choice for today’s consumers.”
Commenting on his new role, Manish Guptaa, Chief Marketing Officer, Pizza Hut India, said “At the heart of our brand is craveability – the irresistible appeal that keeps consumers coming back for more. My focus will be to build on this by delivering our iconic and craveable pizza, bold flavors, and unforgettable brand experiences that spark joy and desire. As we move forward, we will strengthen Pizza Hut as a modern, digital-first brand that connects deeply with consumers through data-driven storytelling and agile marketing strategies.”
