News

Pizza Hut names new international president

October 11, 2018

Pizza Hut Asia-Pacific Managing Director Vipul Chawla will step into the role of president of Pizza Hut International on Dec. 3, reporting to Yum Brands CEO Greg Creed. Chawla will assume responsibility for driving the brand strategy and performance of Pizza Hut's international business outside the U.S. in his new role, according to a press release. 

Pizza Hut is the world's largest pizza restaurant company with more than $12 billion in global system sales and nearly 17,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries and territories as of year-end 2017. All general managers for the chain worldwide — aside from those in the U.S. — will report to Chawla as well as leaders of Pizza Hut International's global functions. Pizza Hut U.S. President Artie Starrs will report to Creed.

"Vipul Chawla is an extraordinarily talented leader and highly respected global marketer with a proven track record of growing Pizza Hut across the Asia-Pacific region with our franchise partners," said Creed in the release. "He's the ideal person to take Pizza Hut International to the next level by ensuring that each market has strong operations and digital execution in place, offers compelling value and consistently communicates the brand positioning."

Chawla will succeed Milind Pant, who has served as Pizza Hut International president for the past three years and is stepping down from his role at the end of November to pursue other opportunities outside the company.

Chawla is an international restaurant and retail industry veteran who has been with the company for more than seven years. In his current role he has led Pizza Hut's largest business outside the U.S. in terms of units, spanning nearly 5,000 franchise restaurants across 16 markets. 

He previously served as general manager of Pizza Hut Asia as well as chief marketing officer of KFC Asia where he elevated KFC's brand positioning and accelerated its growth across the region. Chawla joined Yum in 2011 after 20 years with Unilever serving in various leadership positions.

"I want to thank Milind Pant for his strong leadership, passion and contributions to Pizza Hut and Yum Brands over the past decade and wish him continued success on his future endeavors," Creed said in the release.