Tapan Vaidya
CEO, PJP Investments Group (Papa Johns UAE, KSA & Jordan)

Tapan Vaidya

CEO, PJP Investments Group (Papa Johns United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia & Jordan)

BSc in Mathematics from St. Xavier’s College & a Business Diploma from NMIMS, Mumbai, India, Tapan 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; two-time winner of Global Franchisee of the Year in the Papa Johns system; two-time RetailME MENA ICONS awardee; Foodservice MENA ICON awardee, Tapan is currently CEO of PJP Investments Group, owner-operators of Papa Johns in the UAE, KSA, Jordan & Iraq. With 37 years’ experience (of which last 20 years have been with Papa Johns) across Middle East & India, Tapan 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 & Iraq, 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 not for profit organization patronized by Dubai Chambers 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.