Hemant Arora

Dynamic Business Growth, Commercial Real Estate and Retail Expansion leader with over 21 years of progressive leadership experience across Retail, QSR, Higher Education, Commercial Real Estate and Integrated Facility Management. Proven expertise in business expansion, commercial negotiations, portfolio optimisation, asset management, leasing strategy and strategic partnerships. Successfully managed a ₹106 Crore annual rental portfolio, delivered ₹24+ Crore in commercial savings, led expansion across six Indian states, launched 17 new restaurants, and negotiated high-value commercial agreements with airports, technology parks, developers, institutional landlords and multinational corporations.

Recognised for driving business transformation through process innovation, cross-functional leadership and commercially focused decision-making.

Chief Manager – Asset Management & Business Development (South India) at Sapphire Foods India Ltd. (2025-10 – Present)

Lead Asset Management for South India while driving Alternate Channel Business Development across South, West and North India.

• Managed portfolio of 350 restaurants
• Annual Rental Portfolio: ₹106 Crore
• Team Leadership: 4 Direct Reports + 8 Indirect Reports
• Delivered ₹2 Crore in rental savings through commercial negotiations
• Successfully completed 15 lease renewals
• Opened 3 new Pizza Hut restaurants
• Negotiated a ₹1.2 Crore commercial settlement
• Reduced monthly rental from ₹15 lakh to ₹5 lakh on a strategic lease restructuring
• Successfully resolved high-value landlord negotiations involving AAI Chennai, Manyata Tech Park, DLF Chennai, and several institutional landlords
• Introduced mandatory lease registration across the organisation
• Implemented Regional Authorised Signatory framework to reduce agreement execution timelines
• Improved rental advance approval process and lease governance

Regional Head – Strategic Expansion at Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd. (2022-01 – 2025-10)

Led strategic expansion, commercial real estate and market development for Domino's across South India.

• Expansion responsibility across approximately 656 restaurants
• Bengaluru – 183
• Karnataka – 90
• Hyderabad – 100
• Chennai – 100
• Rest of Tamil Nadu – 120
• Kerala – 28
• Goa – 35
• Team Size: 4
• Successfully opened 14 Domino's restaurants
• Delivered ₹22 Crore in commercial savings
• Negotiated 4 years rent-free
• Secured ₹45 lakh landlord CAPEX contribution at Vivira Mall, Chennai
• Developed and implemented the Landlord Grievance Management Application
• Introduced a cross-functional workflow platform replacing email-based approvals with defined turnaround times across Legal, Finance, Projects, Operations and Asset Management

National Account Director at Sodexo India (2020-09 – 2022-01)

Managed strategic enterprise accounts across Bengaluru and Mumbai.

• 6 Strategic Client Sites
• Monthly Billing: ₹2 Crore
• Team Leadership: 6 Direct Reports + 30 Team Members
• Led multi-city operations across Bengaluru and Mumbai
• Managed strategic enterprise client relationships
• Improved operational efficiency, governance and service delivery

National Key Account Head at JLL India (2018-08 – 2020-09)

Managed Integrated Workplace & Facility Management portfolios for leading multinational organisations.

• HCL Technologies – Noida Campus
• Fidelity International – National Portfolio
• Managed enterprise client relationships across multiple cities
• Led workplace operations and operational governance
• Delivered consistent service excellence across national accounts

Head – Leasing & Commercial Development at Lovely Professional University (2013-10 – 2018-08)

Led commercial development, leasing strategy and non-academic revenue generation across one of India's largest private university campuses.

• 650 Acre Integrated Campus
• 8 Floor Shopping Mall
• 28,000 Sq. Ft. Floor Plate Per Level
• 12 Student Messes
• 35,000 Students
• 7 Commercial Market Clusters
• 12 Daily Need Stores
• 40,000 Sq. Ft. Bowling Arena
• Go-Karting Arena
• Developed commercial leasing strategy for the university
• Negotiated a landmark commercial partnership with Coca-Cola India
• Lovely Group became regional distributor for Coca-Cola across LPU & Phagwara
• Secured exclusive campus rights, two delivery trucks and annual Coke Studio as part of the commercial agreement

National Head – Corporate & Institutional Sales at OCM Pvt. Ltd. (2011-09 – 2013-10)

• Led Corporate & Institutional Sales across India
• Managed strategic key accounts and institutional business
• Drove national business development initiatives and revenue growth

Regional Head – Domestic Sales (South) at OCM Pvt. Ltd. (2009-11 – 2011-09)

• Managed regional sales operations across South India
• Led distributor development, channel management and regional business expansion

Area Manager – Operations at Louis Philippe (Madura Garments) (2007-10 – 2009-11)

• Managed multi-store retail operations
• Led store performance, customer experience, merchandising and operational excellence
• Developed store teams and ensured achievement of business objectives

Assistant Restaurant Manager at KFC India (2005-08 – 2007-10)

• Managed restaurant operations in a high-volume Quick Service Restaurant environment
• Led frontline teams, customer service, quality standards, inventory management and business performance

Bachelor's Degree