KFC India appoints Suhayl Limbada as Chief Marketing Officer

KFC India has strengthened its leadership bench by appointing Suhayl Limbada as its new Chief Marketing Officer, succeeding Aparna Bhawal in the role. The move signals KFC’s intent to deepen its consumer connect and amplify its brand narrative in a rapidly evolving quick‑service restaurant landscape.

Limbada joins KFC India after a high‑impact stint with KFC Thailand, where he served as Chief Marketing Officer and later took on the additional responsibility of Market Lead for a 1,250‑restaurant business with full P&L ownership. During his tenure in Thailand, the brand not only won multiple international awards, including a Cannes Lions Gold, but also cemented its position as a leading QSR brand in the region.

Prior to Thailand, Limbada held senior marketing roles at KFC South Africa and earlier managed KFC’s marketing across 16 African markets, giving him a broad canvas of emerging‑market experience. His background stretches back to Cadbury Schweppes and other global FMCG players, which has helped him balance creative storytelling with commercial rigour in complex, high‑growth environments.

For KFC India, Limbada’s appointment is expected to drive a more integrated approach to brand and performance marketing, blending digital‑first innovations with mainstream media and experiential initiatives. India’s fast‑food market, with its young, urban‑centric audience and rising demand for differentiated formats, requires sharp positioning and consistent messaging—areas where Limbada has a strong track record.

KFC India is also known for its bold flavours, youth‑oriented campaigns, and aggressive expansion, and Limbada is likely to build on this momentum by deepening emotional resonance and cultural relevance. His experience in leading award‑winning creative campaigns and social‑first activations in Thailand positions him to bring fresh ideas tailored to Indian tastes, festivals, and digital consumption habits.

The brand has described the move as part of its broader effort to strengthen capability and leadership in India, a key market within Yum! Brands’ global portfolio. With Suhayl Limbada at the helm, KFC India appears poised to sharpen its marketing playbook and scale its presence across both tier‑1 cities and emerging consumption centres.