JKS Restaurants hires Pavan Pardasani as global CEO as it eyes further international expansion: JKS Restaurants, the London- hospitality group founded by siblings Jyotin, Karam and Sunaina Sethi, has hired Pavan Pardasani as global chief executive of the company’s Indian restaurants including Trishna, Gymkhana, Brigadiers and Ambassadors Clubhouse, as it plans further international expansion. Most recently, Pardasani served as chief marketing officer at Tao Group Hospitality, where he led global marketing strategy and oversaw guest experiences. Earlier in his career, he held leadership roles at Hakkasan Group and Catch Hospitality, where he helped launch some of the industry’s most influential restaurant and lifestyle brands. Pardasani’s appointment comes as the business has also hired Rob Rawleigh as US managing partner and Rick Tomich as US vice-president of marketing for JKS’ Indian restaurants. Laura Irving will remain as JKS' Indian restaurants managing director for the UK. Pardasani’s role will oversee all aspects of the existing restaurants in London, as well as the expansion of the restaurants into new international markets. The company said: “With more than two decades of executive-level experience, Pardasani will oversee the group’s strategy, development and operations. He brings a keen attention to detail and exacting standards that will uphold the Sethi siblings’ foundational values and business acumen, while tailoring it to American audiences and beyond.” Pardasani joins JKS as it gears up to launch in the US. Propel revealed last month that JKS is to begin its push into the US, with the opening of Ambassadors Clubhouse in New York, followed by Gymkhana in Las Vegas. It is thought the company’s expansion focus for the immediate future is North America and the Middle East. “Pavan is the perfect addition to our leadership team to help guide this exciting and pivotal expansion,” said Jyotin Sethi. “His deep industry knowledge, strategic mindset and passion for hospitality align perfectly with our vision for this next chapter as we continue to champion Indian cuisine globally.” Pardasani said: “This is a full-circle moment for me. It’s an incredible honour to lead the global expansion of JKS’ Indian restaurants and to share the richness of our cuisine and hospitality on the world stage. JKS is rooted in tradition, innovation, and community – bringing that spirit to new markets is a true privilege, and a responsibility I carry with great pride.” This autumn, the first US location of Ambassadors Clubhouse will open at 1245 Broadway, bringing the brand to Manhattan’s NoMad neighbourhood. Later this year, JKS will launch its second US Indian restaurant with the opening of Gymkhana at Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. JKS features in the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book, which is available exclusively to Premium Club subscribers and features 1,163 companies. JKS’ turnover of £73,658,364 for the 65 weeks to 31 March 2024 is the 171st highest in the database. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

Deliveroo founder and CEO Will Shu to step down: Will Shu, founder and chief executive of Deliveroo, is to step down from the business on completion of its acquisition by DoorDash. The US meal delivery firm reached a deal in May to acquire the British food delivery app in a transaction valuing Deliveroo at approximately £2.9bn, with the deal set to become effective on Thursday, 2 October. Shu will remain chief executive of the company he founded in February 2013, until that date. Shu said: “I have decided that now is the right time for me to step down. Taking Deliveroo from being an idea to what it is today has been amazing. Today the company's growth and profitability are accelerating and we are delivering on our mission to transform the way people shop and eat, but after 13 years I want to contemplate my next challenge. I'm super proud of everything we have achieved. We pioneered and then redefined a new category. Our teams have always seen the business through the eyes of the consumer and that consumer obsession has given us focus, drive and resilience. I want to thank everyone involved in the company, from our employees to our merchant partners, riders, consumers, as well as our investors. This is the start of a new chapter for the company and great things lie ahead.” At the same time, the company’s non-executive directors, including chair Claudia Arney, and Karen Jones – co-founder of Café Rouge and chair of Hawksmoor – have also agreed to step down on the same date. Arney said: “Will is an incredible innovator and has brought a unique mix of passion, vision and commitment to the creation and growth of Deliveroo. He has created a British success story that has had a hugely positive impact on the way we eat and shop, provided a new form of work for tens of thousands of people and helped thousands of restaurants and other merchants grow their businesses – both here and around the world. On behalf of the board, I want to thank Will for his remarkable contribution. Deliveroo is entering a new era as part of the enlarged DoorDash, with exciting opportunities ahead.”