Rajesh Keerthi – Founder
Rajesh Keerthi is a seasoned retail leader whose career spans multiple decades and three Fortune 500 organisations. Known for his deep operational expertise and ability to build businesses from the ground up, Rajesh has played a pivotal role in shaping modern retail practices across South India.
He began his journey at Vivek Electronics Limited, where he served as the Product Head for Karnataka. In this role, he managed a wide product portfolio, strengthened category performance, and contributed significantly to the brand’s leadership in a competitive consumer electronics market.
Second job was with Reliance Retail as one of the early employees, where he gained first-hand experience in establishing scalable retail systems, understanding customer behaviour, and managing fast-evolving business environments. This formative phase gave him a strong foundation in process creation, store operations, and market-driven decision-making.
His leadership trajectory continued at Staples Inc., Bangalore, where Rajesh headed the city’s operations. Here, he led high-performing teams, introduced retail process innovations, and refined his expertise in supply chain management, merchandising, and customer-centric retailing.
Rajesh’s final corporate role was with Yum International (KFC, Pizza Hut & Taco Bell), overseeing operations for South India. This experience introduced him to the fast-paced food-service industry, allowing him to understand the nuances of customer expectations, operational challenges, and the rising demand for high-quality quick-service offerings. His exposure across retail and food sectors helped him identify meaningful gaps in the market—especially in the everyday South Indian coffee experience.
Driven by a strong entrepreneurial vision and a passion for authenticity, Rajesh founded Kaappi Ready—a brand built to elevate and simplify the South Indian filter coffee culture blended with a modern menu like Shakes, varieties of Tea's & Snacks, which caters from Gen Z to Senior Citizens. Under his leadership, Kaappi Ready combines tradition with modern convenience, delivering a product that reflects quality, consistency, and the essence of true Indian culture.
Rajesh’s journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship stands as a testament to his commitment to innovation, customer delight, and creating a brand that celebrates South Indian heritage while aligning with today’s fast-paced lifestyle.