GOPIZZA INDIA

Charoen Pokphand Group Co.,Ltd., Thailand's largest conglomerate and controlled by the country's richest family, has invested $10 million in South Korea-based GOPIZZA Global HQ as the pizza chain startup seeks to expand in the populous Southeast Asia region. The investment was made by CP Group’s convenience store arm, CP ALL Plc, which operates 7-Eleven stores in Thailand. The deal marks CP All’s first investment in an overseas startup. CP All’s decision to invest in GOPIZZA was helped by the chain’s track record of selling pizzas in GS25 convenience stores in South Korea. “We went to CP and told them, ‘Let’s do it with 7-Eleven in Thailand,’ ” says Jae Won (Jay) Lim, GOPIZZA's founder and CEO, who was on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia list in 2019. “It makes perfect sense now that it’s a proven business model.” GS25 convenience stores are operated by South Korean conglomerate GS Group's (주)GS리테일(GS Retail Inc.). The venture capital arm of GS Group, GS Ventures, is also a strategic investor in GOPIZZA. Other backers of the company include CJ Investment Inc., the corporate venture arm of South Korean food-to-entertainment conglomerate CJ Group; and Mirae Asset Securities. Jay founded Seoul-based GOPIZZA in 2017 and made its first overseas expansion in 2019, entering India (GOPIZZA INDIA). GOPIZZA expanded into Thailand (GOPIZZA THAILAND) in 2023, setting up a store in a Lotus’s supermarket, which is also operated by CP. GOPIZZA also has stores in Indonesia, Malaysia and Japan. The company currently has about 450 stores and plans to open as many as 1,000 new locations this year, says Jay. “India and Southeast Asia are our main markets, so it makes perfect sense that we work with CP, a big conglomerate in Southeast Asia,” says Jay. “As a startup, we want to grow indefinitely, but Korea is a very competitive market and has a shrinking population, so food and beverage companies don’t have a bright future.” GOPIZZA plans to expand into the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan in the near future, adds Jay.

Jacob Naiaparhalm, a 20-year-old from Mizoram, embarked on a new chapter of his life when he moved to Bangalore eight months ago. With his academic journey halting after the 9th grade, Jacob sought opportunities beyond his hometown. Back in Mizoram, his family owned a small general store, a place where he spent much of his time helping out and learning the basics of business management. It was through a friend that he got in touch with the HR department at GOPIZZA INDIA, a popular restaurant in the city. Soon, he found himself immersed in the world of hospitality, taking on roles as a cook, service staff, and cashier. The transition was swift, and Jacob quickly adapted to his new environment. He mastered the art of making pizza, from measuring ingredients with precision to understanding the right temperatures and perfecting serving techniques. Alongside these culinary skills, he also honed his customer service abilities, learning how to interact with guests warmly and professionally. When reflecting on his journey, Jacob expressed immense satisfaction. He enjoyed the daily interactions with customers and took pride in serving the pizzas. More importantly, this job taught him a crucial life lesson—the value of money. In Mizoram, Jacob had been a lavish spender, but his experiences in Bangalore instilled in him the importance of financial management. He now managed his earnings and expenses with care, a skill that he knew would benefit him greatly in the long run. Outside of work, Jacob found joy in simple pleasures. He loved playing football and indulging in BGMI, a popular mobile game. At such a young age, Jacob was not only learning and earning but also making time for his hobbies. Looking ahead, he aspired to grow professionally within the hospitality industry, aiming to climb the career ladder and achieve greater success. Jacob's story is one of adaptation, growth, and aspiration, a testament to the resilience and ambition that drive him forward in the vibrant city of Bangalore. #risersofindia #staffingsolutions #hiring