DECEMBER 2013
H
business elite canada
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Today, Pizza Depot has 30 stores in operation with
plans to expand despite the increasingly competi-
tive state of the food and beverage industry. In
1992, Ranjit Mahil, the current owner and President
of Pizza Depot, arrived in Canada with a Bachelor
of Science and hopes of starting a new chapter with
his family. Previously a chemist for a pharmaceuti-
cal manufacturing plant in India, his prior experi-
ence did not translate into work. After months of
searching for employment to no avail, he acquired
a position as a pizza deliveryman, a role he held
for several years. Gaining momentum, he bought a
pizza franchise that he ran for three years. There, he
gained additional insight into and an understanding
of the food and beverage industry. Recognizing the
growing South Asian population in his communi-
ty, he saw a niche market and started Pizza Depot,
combining western pizza with South Asian cuisine
and considerations. “I though, ‘why not just start
something different?’” says Mahil.
Upon launching, Pizza Depot sought to create the
best product possible and establish a distinctive-
ness that their competitors lacked. Aside from us-
ing fresh dough and cutting fresh vegetables each
