Draft:Smita Jatia

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  • Comment: Kindly do not remove AFC logging information, it is important for the process. Where is says "Do not remove this line!" it means you do not remove that line. ChrysGalley (talk) 09:39, 14 May 2026 (UTC)
  • Comment: It can be difficult for business people to get an article on Wikipedia. For this area we need ideally 3 feature length profiles on the subject by independent and reliable sources, or something in this ballpark. See WP:BASIC. The Forbes article has only a few words on the subject, most of the short paragraph is on the company. Other sources are questionable, some of them seem to be taking scrapes from websites akin to churnalism. Notability is by Wikipedia's definition, and needs to be backed by rock solid sources.
    The second issue is that the tone is promotional, so phrases like Under her leadership, McDonald’s India launched its all-women crew drive-thru near the Statue of Unity, reflecting the organisation's focus on gender inclusion and regional empowerment are the sort of thing one sees on LinkedIn, not an encyclopedia. ChrysGalley (talk) 14:24, 2 December 2025 (UTC)
  • Comment: The sources are a mix of interviews, brief profiles, and routine business reporting covering the organisations she is affiliated with rather than her. DoubleGrazing (talk) 06:50, 30 June 2025 (UTC)
Smita Jatia
Born (1970-05-20) May 20, 1970
CitizenshipIndian
Alma materSydenham College, Mumbai

Harvard Business School, Boston

Hamburger University, Chicago
OccupationsVice Chairperson, Westlife Foodworld
OrganizationWestlife Foodworld
Websitehttps://www.westlife.co.in

Smita Jatia is the Vice Chairperson of Westlife Foodworld Limited (WFL, formerly Westlife Development Limited).[1][2][3] Smita was featured on the Forbes India, Power Businesswomen List in 2019.[4][5] She was recognised as one of India’s Most Powerful Women in Business by Business Today for two years consecutively, in 2022 and 2023.[6][7]

Smita was also named one of the Most Influential Women in Business by BW Businessworld in 2025.[8]

Early Life and Education

Born in Mumbai to a traditional Marwari business family, Smita Jatia earned her undergraduate degree in commerce from Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics, University of Mumbai.[2] She then completed an executive management program at Harvard Business School, as well as restaurant leadership training at the McDonald’s global training facility, Hamburger University in the United States.[9][10]

Career

Smita Jatia began her professional journey in marketing in 1998 and gradually expanded her scope across human resources, and operations before becoming the Managing Director.[10][11] Smita was instrumental in reviving the brand after the COVID-19 Pandemic.[12] Later she was elevated to Vice Chairperson of the company in 2023.[1]

Smita oversaw the launch and growth of McDonald’s brand extension - McCafe, introducing the coffee format and occasion within Indian QSR operations.[13][14]

She also launched McDonald’s India’s Experience of The Future (EOTF) Restaurants, which incorporated digital technology such as Digital Self Ordering Kiosks (SOK)[10][15] and redesigned layouts to enhance customer experience. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Smita along with her team introduced the “On the Go” service via the McDelivery app to adapt to evolving consumer needs.[16][17][13]

Under her leadership, McDonald’s India launched its all-women crew drive-thru near the Statue of Unity, reflecting the organisation's focus on gender inclusion and regional empowerment.[18][19]

Philanthropy

Smita is the Chairperson of the India chapter of Ronald McDonald House Charities.[20][21][22] The first Ronald McDonald Family Room (RMFR) was inaugurated by her at the Pediatric Oncology department of The Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children in Mumbai.[23] The second was opened in October 2024 at the Government Cancer Hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad), Maharashtra.[24]

She has also contributed to educational campaigns that raise awareness about cancer stigma in our society.[25]

Board Memberships and Professional Affiliations

Recognition and Awards

Personal life

Smita is married to Amit Jatia, Chairperson of Westlife Foodworld Ltd. [31] Amit played a foundational role in bringing McDonald’s to India, joining as Managing Director of Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt. Ltd. in 1995.[32]

Smita has twin sons, Ayush and Akshay Jatia.[33] Ayush is married to Diya, the daughter of Mona and Russell Mehta.[34] Ayush is the founder of the Italian restaurant chain Si Nonna’s,[35] while Akshay is the CEO of Westlife Foodworld Ltd.[36]

References

  1. Writer, Staff (May 17, 2023). "Westlife Foodworld elevates Amit Jatia as Chairperson and Smita Jatia as Vice Chairperson". Hotelier India. Archived from the original on June 30, 2025. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  2. "Company Profile". The Wall Street Journal. 2025-09-25. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  3. Srivastava, Samriddhi (16 September 2025). "McDonald's India: How Smita Jatia builds careers that last". People Matters. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  4. Tyagi, Harshita (8 October 2019). "4 Indians featured in Forbes Asia's Power Businesswomen list: All you need to know". ET Now News. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  5. Team, Forbes Asia. "ASIA'S POWER BUSINESSWOMEN". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  6. "MPW 2022: Meet Smita Jatia, the undisputable burger queen of India - BusinessToday". Business Today. 2023-03-06. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  7. "MPW 2023: Smita Jatia is leading Westlife Foodworld through a high growth phase - BusinessToday". Business Today. 2023-12-13. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  8. "BW 100 Most Influential Women Leaders Powering Growth, Fuelling GDP". BW Businessworld. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  9. "Westlife: Growth Outlook for McDonalds stores". PA Wealth Management. 11 September 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
  10. "Shoppers Stop Limited Appoints Smita Jatia as an Additional Director". MarketScreener. 21 February 2023. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
  11. "McDonald's India to display Allergen & Nutritional info for entire menu". Zee Business. 2022-04-07. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  12. Kumari, Jagriti (17 May 2023). "Westlife Foodworld announces leadership change". People Matters. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  13. Singh, Prashant V (2020-03-16). "Coronavirus impact! Ordering food from McDonald's and Domino's Pizza? This is what you must know". People Matters. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  14. Ananda, Jonathan (2016-11-19). "'McCafe rollout aggressive, plan to double outlets in 12 to 15 months'". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  15. "McDonald's take-out biz has seen significant traction: Smita Jatia". ETBrandEquity.com. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  16. www.ETBrandEquity.com. "'As long as you are sure of what goes in your food, you're safe': Smita Jatia, MD, McDonald's India West and South - ET BrandEquity". ETBrandEquity.com. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  17. "Home delivery, on the go, drive in formats come to McDonald's rescue amid COVID 19 - BusinessToday". Business Today. 2021-05-18. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  18. "McDonald's India opens first all women drive thru restaurant near Statue of Unity - BusinessToday". Business Today. 2022-06-30. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  19. "McDonald's India launches first All-Women Gold Standard Drive-Thru Restaurant in Gujarat". restaurantindia.in. 2022-07-01. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  20. Aggarwal, Jigyasa (2025-02-03). "Union Budget 2025: Expert Opinions and Outlooks". Businessoffood.in. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  21. "Ronald McDonald House Charities launches its India chapter". India Today. 2016-09-20. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  22. PR, ANI (2022-09-23). "Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) India Chapter celebrates its 6th anniversary". ThePrint. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  23. "Ronald McDonald House Charities launches its India chapter". The Business Standard. 2016-09-20.
  24. Imchen, Atula (2024-10-10). "Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Gets New Ronald McDonald Family Room to Support Paediatric Cancer Patients and Families". CSR Mandate. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  25. "First Care Conference of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) India, creates awareness about cancer in our society". CSR Times. 2023-08-23. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  26. "Company Profile". Reuters. 2025-09-25. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  27. "Board of Directors". Corporate.Shoppers Stop. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
  28. "Company Profile". Reuters. 2025-09-25. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  29. "Board of Directors". Syrma SGS. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
  30. "Company Profile". Reuters. 2025-09-25. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  31. "Meet Amit, Smita Jatia, couple leading company that owns McDonald's India". DNA World. 2023-05-15. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
  32. "Vikram Bakshi & Amit Jatia: A tale of McDonald's two franchise partners in India". The Economic Times. 2013-09-24. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
  33. Bhat, Shravan (2014-03-14). "Amit Jatia and McDonald's 15-year Wait for Success". Forbes India. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  34. Vogue.in (2017-05-09). "Bahrain saw its first Indian wedding, and it was as grand as you'd imagine". Vogue India. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  35. www.EThospitalityworld.com. "Pizza chain Si Nonna's to double its footprint in India". hospitality.economictimes.com. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
  36. www.ETRetail.com. "Akshay Jatia elevated as Westlife Foodworld's CEO, replaces Amit Jatia - ET Retail". ETRetail.com. Retrieved 2025-06-30.