PepsiCo India has announced Nitin Bhandari as the new head of its beverages business, effective March 31, 2025. Bhandari, a long-time veteran of the company, will take over from George Kovoor, who is set to retire to explore other opportunities.
The leadership transition comes amidst heightened competition in India’s soft drinks sector, with major developments reshaping the market dynamics. PepsiCo’s franchise partner Varun Beverages Ltd (VBL) continues to manage the company’s bottling operations in India, while Coca-Cola India recently saw a significant change in its bottling strategy. In December 2024, the Jubilant Bhartia Group acquired a 40% stake in Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB), Coca-Cola’s bottling arm, for ₹12,500 crore.
As the beverage industry gears up for the critical summer season, this leadership change positions PepsiCo to navigate an evolving and competitive market landscape.