Restaurant India News: KFC India Appoints Suhayl Limbada as New Chief Marketing Officer

KFC India has appointed Suhayl Limbada as its Chief Marketing Officer, replacing Aparna Bhawal. The move comes as the brand looks to strengthen its positioning in one of its largest and most competitive markets.

Limbada joins the India business after a four-year stint with KFC Thailand, where he most recently served as Market Lead with full profit and loss responsibility for a network of 1,250 restaurants. His transition signals a shift towards bringing global market experience into India’s fast-growing quick service restaurant segment.

During his tenure in Southeast Asia, Limbada was associated with multiple brand and marketing milestones. Under his leadership, KFC Thailand secured a Cannes Lions Gold, marking the first-ever Gold Lion for the brand under Yum! Brands. The market also recorded over 80 industry awards for marketing innovation, reflecting a strong focus on creative strategy and brand visibility.

His role evolved from Chief Marketing Officer to Market Lead, where he managed broader business operations beyond marketing, including growth strategy and performance management.

Before his time in Thailand, Limbada served as Marketing Director for KFC South Africa between 2018 and 2022, overseeing campaigns across 16 markets in Africa. His career began in 2006 with Cadbury Schweppes in South Africa, followed by leadership roles at Kraft Foods and Mondelēz International.

Limbada said, "Grateful for the opportunity to step into this next chapter... excited at the prospect of shaping our brand that serves 1.4 billion people."

The appointment reflects the increasing importance of marketing leadership in scaling quick service restaurant brands in India. With rising competition and evolving consumer behaviour, operators are focusing on brand differentiation, digital engagement, and localisation strategies to drive growth.

Limbada’s experience across international markets is expected to support KFC India’s efforts to expand its footprint while maintaining consistency in brand positioning and customer engagement.