In the rapidly evolving food supply chain industry, technology has become a critical enabler of efficiency, growth, and customer engagement. Independent food distributors, often overshadowed by larger corporations, now have a partner in Pepper—a company built to elevate their role in the marketplace.
By blending deep industry knowledge with cutting-edge technology, Pepper is reshaping how food distributors connect with customers and manage their operations. The company’s foundation lies in the vision of its Co-Founder and CEO, Bowie Cheung, whose extensive experience in the food delivery sector has positioned Pepper to lead the charge in digital transformation.
Bridging Technology and Food Distribution
Pepper was founded on the belief that a team of veteran operators from the food distribution industry, working alongside product builders from leading technology companies, could build a different kind of company—one that serves the community of independent food distributors with software designed to future-proof their businesses. The company aims to create a digital operating system that streamlines the complex operations of food distributors, enabling them to find new customers, deepen relationships, grow revenue, and run more efficiently.
Bowie Cheung, Co-Founder and CEO, brings a wealth of experience to Pepper, having previously led Uber Eats from a small experiment to a billion-dollar business. His leadership in the food delivery space, combined with his expertise in operations and strategy, has been instrumental in Pepper’s growth. Cheung holds an MBA from Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management, along with advanced degrees in Applied Science from the University of Toronto.
The Founders
Bowie Cheung is joined by co-founders Chetan Narain and Ivana Tesanovic, who both bring unique skill sets to the company. Chetan Narain, Co-Founder and CTO, has an impressive background in technology, having worked as a Group Product Manager at Uber and an Associate Product Manager at Google. With a degree in Operations Research and Financial Engineering from Princeton University, Narain has demonstrated a strong ability to drive innovation and improvement in the tech industry. His expertise in data intelligence and analysis plays a crucial role in developing Pepper’s cutting-edge solutions.
Ivana Tesanovic, Co-Founder and VP of Operations complements the team with her experience in managing operations at prominent organizations like Baker McKenzie and Massive Insights. Holding a Bachelor of Arts degree from York University, Tesanovic’s strategic acumen ensures that Pepper’s operations run smoothly, and her experience in marketing and analytics further strengthens the company’s capabilities. Together, these three leaders form a dynamic team that leverages their diverse backgrounds to build a company that truly understands the needs of independent food distributors.
Scaling Impact on the Food Industry
Looking ahead, Pepper aims to solidify its position as the go-to digital solution for food distributors. With a customer base of over 200 food distribution companies and 28,000+ active operators, the company continues to expand its reach. Pepper is dedicated to continuous innovation, with over 65 new features released annually and over 40 unique ERP integrations, ensuring that its software remains at the forefront of industry needs.
Pepper’s future looks promising as it continues to enhance its offerings and support the growth of independent food distributors. Under the leadership of Bowie Cheung and his team, the company is set to make a lasting impact on the food supply chain, helping distributors thrive in an increasingly digital world.
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