Rajat Luthra is the Chief Executive Officer of Third Wave Coffee, having stepped into the role in the first quarter of FY25. With nearly 30 years of experience across the FMCG and QSR sectors, Mr. Luthra brings deep operational insight and proven leadership to one of India’s fastest-growing specialty coffee chains.

Founded in 2015, Third Wave Coffee has grown rapidly to over 145 outlets across major Indian cities, known for its high-quality coffee and customer-centric service. Under Mr. Luthra’s leadership, the brand is sharpening its execution, expanding intelligently, and enhancing the overall customer experience. His mandate: scale with discipline, innovate with purpose, and deepen the brand’s impact in India’s dynamic coffee landscape.

Mr. Luthra’s extensive background in the FMCG and QSR sectors underpins his leadership approach. Prior to joining Third Wave Coffee, he served as CEO of KFC (Devyani International) India and Nepal for over ten years, where he led significant expansion and operational transformation. He has also held leadership roles at Hindustan Unilever, Jubilant FoodWorks, and Future Group India—building a strong foundation in retail, consumer insights, and business strategy.

Rajat holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Delhi University, a Postgraduate Certificate in Business Management from XLRI Jamshedpur, and a Diploma in Hotel Management from the Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Chennai.