Ravi Mulchandani

Director-level operator with 20+ years across retail fashion and F&B franchising in the GCC — working at both altitudes, the strategy and the execution: sourcing a deal and writing the business plan, then negotiating the lease, hiring the team and opening the store. Strongest where companies need it most in today's market of rising COGS, freight and occupancy costs: making the P&L work — renegotiating landlord, brand and supplier terms, exiting costly contracts, controlling losses and rebuilding margin without damaging the brand or the customer experience.

Director of Sales & Operations — Founding Team at Spoon and Spirit Restaurant LLC (2025-01 – 2026-07)

UAE & Qatar franchisee of Max's Restaurant (Max's Group, Philippines)

• Brought the acquisition to the table: identified Max's Restaurant's UAE & Qatar operations as a buyout opportunity from its previous operator and jointly negotiated the takeover with the principal, completed 15 September 2025.
• Formed the operating companies in the UAE and Qatar and led the takeover end-to-end — 3 running stores transferred with staff, delivery aggregators and vendor accounts operational from day one, ensuring zero business interruption.
• Grew the network post-acquisition: opened 2 new stores and a cloud kitchen across the two countries while directing sales and operations for the full network, reporting directly to the principal.
• Reviewed International Franchise Agreements clause-by-clause with the brand's global legal team, securing corrections across three markets — and exited a restrictive national beverage exclusivity agreement on clean terms, with no penalties or rebate clawback.
• Protected the P&L through the transition: negotiated rent commencement relief, directed the company's commercial and legal defence, and drove supplier reconciliations and agency accountability.
• Built the board-level weekly business review; established that the sales gap was traffic-led rather than price-led and redirected commercial strategy from discounting to traffic, functions and attach-rates.
• Authored the operating policy framework for the newly formed company — commercial, incentive and performance governance — and closed the chapter with a fully documented handover.

Business Head — International Brands at Multi-brand retail group, UAE (2021-03 – 2025-01)

16 international fashion & lifestyle brands

• Opened or took over 75+ stores in 2 years — site selection, leasing, fit-out, recruitment and launch, including running businesses absorbed into the portfolio — while directing AED 100M+ in revenue and a 200+ member organisation, reporting to the Managing Director.
• Personally onboarded 10 international brands to the UAE market — Sergent Major, Carpisa, Calliope, Mia Makeup, Bella Maison, Flo, Colcci, Ramsey, Penti and Yargici — negotiating brand terms, and securing locations and lease terms with every major mall landlord in the UAE.
• Ran the portfolio for profitability in a tightening market — owned buying, pricing, stock turns and allocations; delivered sales budgets with staff costs held under budget and store operating expenses cut across the network.

Senior Brand Manager → Brand Manager at Sergent Major, IKKS M&W, IKKS Junior, Manoukian (2014-02 – 2021-02)

• Led the Sergent Major brand UAE-wide — buying, retail standards, teams and P&L; brand honours in Paris five consecutive years, including Best Budget & Highest Average Basket (2011–2015).

Area Manager → Store Manager roles at Sergent Major, Z, IKKS Junior, Petit Bateau, GOCCO (2005-04 – 2014-01)

• Rose from Store Manager to Area Manager across premium retail brands; DSES Best Service Performance Brand (2006); certified Best Store Manager (2006).