Revan Gunewardene, Chief Commercial Officer of Giga Foods (Pvt) Ltd, shares a compelling narrative about the inception of the company and its alignment with the dynamic culinary landscape of Sri Lanka. Conceived in late 2019, Giga Foods was born from the innovative concept of a cloud kitchen. This model aims to optimize space, equipment, and labour by concentrating solely on food preparation, packaging, and dispatch, rather than the traditional restaurant focus on in-house dining. This strategic approach allows Giga Foods to offer a diverse range of restaurant-quality cuisines at affordable prices, delivered directly to customers’ doorsteps.
Despite the unforeseen delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the determination and vision of Giga Foods’ investors and board of directors led to the company’s launch in January 2021. Their first brand, Indian Affair, debuted from their initial outlet in Mount Lavinia. Since then, Giga Foods has rapidly expanded, establishing seven outlets across key locations including Mount Lavinia, Colombo 05, Nawala, Thalawathugoda, Crescat Boulevard, Welisara, and Maharagama. Revan emphasizes that this growth is just the beginning, with plans to extend their reach further across the Western Province and beyond, continually adapting to and shaping the evolving food scene in Sri Lanka.
Revan envisions a dynamic evolution of his role as the company continues its growth and innovation in the Sri Lankan food market. In the wake of the pandemic and economic crisis, Sri Lanka has witnessed a revival of its vibrant food culture. Consumers are increasingly exploring diverse cuisines, integrating these culinary experiences into their everyday lives. This cultural shift has prompted Giga Foods to reassess its strategic direction, moving beyond the confines of the cloud kitchen model to more directly engage with customers.
He identifies this moment as an opportunity for Giga Foods to introduce its key brands to physical locations. Central to this strategy is the elevation of Full’r Burgers as the primary brand, envisioned within a Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) model. This transition signifies a significant enhancement in Giga Foods’ business ethos and customer experience model. Revan’s current focus is on developing a comprehensive playbook to facilitate this transformation, ensuring a seamless rollout across its network.
With a rich background spanning over a decade in various roles within the hospitality sector, Revan brings a wealth of insights and a deep understanding of the industry’s nuances to his current position. His leadership approach is not only influenced by his professional trajectory but also by his entrepreneurial endeavors and the invaluable lessons learned along the way.
In contemplating his leadership philosophy, Revan draws upon a moment of transition from the corporate landscape to the realm of start-ups. This transformative shift exposed him to the exhilarating yet daunting reality of entrepreneurship. He vividly recalls encountering a poignant quote that has since become a guiding beacon in his entrepreneurial journey: “An entrepreneur is someone who jumps off a cliff and builds the parachute on the way down.” This powerful metaphor encapsulates the spirit of audacity, innovation, and adaptability inherent in the entrepreneurial pursuit. For Revan, it serves as a constant reminder of the inherent risks and uncertainties that accompany the pursuit of entrepreneurial ventures, while also embodying the resilience and resourcefulness required to navigate them successfully.
Embracing the ethos of entrepreneurialism, Revan has cultivated a leadership style characterized by agility, vision, and a willingness to embrace ambiguity. His experiences have instilled in him a profound appreciation for the dynamism and unpredictability of the culinary industry.
With a diverse portfolio of brands like Indian Affair, Full’r Burgers, and Solo Bowl under the Giga Foods umbrella, Revan acknowledges the daunting task of preserving each brand’s unique identity while aligning them with the overarching company vision. However, he emphasizes that there is a method to this complexity. From a branding and marketing perspective, Revan and his team approach each brand as a distinct entity, carefully crafting its identity, tone, and target audience. They meticulously curate and portray each brand to the world, ensuring that its essence is communicated effectively. This strategic focus on individual brand narratives lays the foundation for their integration into the company’s overall vision.
To ensure operational coherence while maintaining brand integrity, Giga Foods employs a multifaceted approach. Operational specialists, food scientists, and trained chefs collaborate to uphold the quality and consistency of each brand’s offerings. Strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) for menu items, dedicated brand teams at each location, state-of-the-art equipment, and a robust supply chain further bolster the company’s operational efficiency.
Revan underscores the importance of assembling the right talent with the right attitude, emphasizing that the recipe for success lies in the synergy between skilled professionals and a shared commitment to excellence. By combining meticulous brand management with operational excellence, Giga Foods navigates the complexities of the culinary landscape, ensuring that each brand not only maintains its unique identity but also contributes meaningfully to the company’s overarching vision of culinary innovation and customer satisfaction.
While refraining from making presumptive predictions about future trends, Revan emphasizes the importance of humility, openness, and acceptance of change. This mindset underscores Giga Foods’ commitment to staying ahead of the curve and meeting the evolving demands of consumers.
At the core of Giga Foods’ strategy lies a dedication to innovation and integrity. As a locally grown and locally funded startup, the company prioritizes customer-centricity and agility. Revan recognizes the dynamic nature of the culinary landscape and emphasizes the need for Giga Foods to remain nimble and responsive to the diverse preferences of the Sri Lankan market.
By fostering a culture of openness to change and a relentless pursuit of excellence, Giga Foods positions itself as a trailblazer in the culinary industry. Revan’s forward-thinking approach underscores the company’s commitment to serving the passionate people of Sri Lanka with the highest standards of quality and innovation. As Giga Foods continues to evolve and adapt, guided by its ethos of customer-centricity and adaptability, it remains poised to shape the future of the culinary landscape in Sri Lanka.