CEO - Papa Johns (UAE, KSA & Jordan)
A BSc in Mathematics from St. Xavier’s College & a Business Diploma from NMIMS, Mumbai, India, Tapan Vaidya started working in restaurants from his University days – loved his work so much, he never left the industry.
Now a veteran in the industry & on Caterer Middle East Power 50 List 3 years in a row, from 2020 to 2022; RetailME ICONS awardee for 2021; Tapan is currently CEO of PJP Investments Group, owner-operators of Papa Johns in the UAE, KSA, Jordan & Iraq. With 36 years’ experience across Middle East & India, Tapan Vaidya has been associated with the development of hundreds of restaurants across these markets with brands including Papa Johns, Chili’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Outback Steakhouse… it is a long list.
Currently focused on developing and expanding Papa Johns in the UAE, Saudi Arabia & Jordan, Tapan is keen to give back to the industry from his deep knowledge and hands on experience.
He is also on the Advisory Board of UAE Restaurant Group, a no-for-profit organization patronized by UAE Chamber of Commerce, the voice of the industry in UAE. The current crisis that the industry has now faced for almost two years, Tapan has dug deep to bring new insights and creative solutions in handling his business.