Ravi Jaipuria Biography: Building a Beverage Empire

Ravi Jaipuria, born November 28, 1954, in Delhi, India, is a billionaire businessman and chairman of RJ Corp, a conglomerate dominating beverages and fast food. Known as India’s “Cola King,” Ravi Jaipuria leads Varun Beverages, PepsiCo’s second-largest bottler globally, and Devyani International, Yum! Brands’ top Indian franchisee. This biography explores his early life, career growth, struggles, comeback, and influence in 2025.

Ravi Jaipuria’s Early Life

Marwari Roots in Delhi

Born into a Marwari Hindu family, Ravi Jaipuria grew up in Delhi. His father, Chunilal Jaipuria, co-founded a major woolen mill, exposing Ravi to business early on. As the youngest of three brothers, he developed a competitive spirit, which shaped his entrepreneurial drive.

Education Abroad

At 16, Ravi moved to Canada and later New York to study business management. He spent 14 years abroad, dabbling in textiles and real estate in Montreal. In 1985, the tragic Kanishka air crash claimed close family members, prompting his return to India to join the family’s bottling business.

Career Growth

Joining the Family Business

In 1985, Ravi Jaipuria entered the family’s Coca-Cola bottling business. After a 1987 family division, he received one bottling plant in Agra and switched to PepsiCo in 1991. He founded RJ Corp in 1987, laying the foundation for a diversified empire.

Building Varun Beverages and Devyani

Ravi established Varun Beverages in 1995, named after his son, which became PepsiCo’s second-largest bottler outside the U.S. by 2025. Additionally, he launched Devyani International in 1991, named after his daughter, operating over 1,200 KFC, Pizza Hut, and Costa Coffee outlets. Both companies went public, with Varun Beverages listing in 2016 and Devyani in 2021.

Struggles and Down Phases

Family Losses and Early Risks

The 1985 Kanishka air crash was a personal blow, forcing Ravi to return to India under emotional strain. The 1987 family business split left him with just one bottling plant, a modest start compared to his brothers’ shares. This limited his early resources significantly.

Pesticide Controversy

In 2003 and 2006, pesticide allegations against PepsiCo products caused a 30% sales drop overnight. This crisis threatened Varun Beverages’ growth, testing Ravi’s ability to navigate public perception and regulatory scrutiny. Moreover, early fast-food ventures like KFC faced protests from farmers in 1995.

Comeback and Rise to Fame

Despite setbacks, Ravi Jaipuria turned challenges into opportunities. His strategic acquisitions, like his brother’s Delhi bottling business in 2013 for $65 million, strengthened Varun Beverages. The 2022 PepsiCo International Bottler of the Year award and successful IPOs of Varun Beverages and Devyani International boosted his global fame. By 2024, Forbes ranked him 14th among India’s richest with a $17.3 billion net worth.

Current Status and Influence

As of July 2025, Ravi Jaipuria holds a $17.6 billion fortune, per Forbes, ranking 172nd globally. Varun Beverages serves 1.4 billion customers, with 2023 revenue of ₹156 billion ($1.9 billion). His 2024 succession plan positions son Varun to lead food and beverages and daughter Devyani to oversee healthcare and education. RJ Corp’s expansions into Ghana and Tanzania, plus investments in Medanta and Lemon Tree Hotels, show his diversified influence.

Conclusion

This Ravi Jaipuria biography traces a journey of resilience and vision. From overcoming family tragedies and market crises to building a $17.6 billion empire, Ravi Jaipuria redefined India’s beverage and fast-food sectors. His strategic leadership and global expansions inspire entrepreneurs. In 2025, his legacy as India’s Cola King continues to shape industries and communities.