C. Gopalakrishnan is a veteran entrepreneur and food-retail professional, and the Founder & Managing Director of N Dairy Farm and N Supermarkets. He comes from the founding family of Nilgiris 1905, one of India’s pioneering organised food and grocery businesses.
A qualified refrigeration engineer from Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, Gopalakrishnan began his career in 1974 as a maintenance engineer in the family business. In 1994, he was instrumental in conceptualising and establishing Nilgiris’ supermarket franchise network, helping pioneer the organised franchising model in Indian food and grocery retail.
Following the sale of the family business in 2008, he launched N Dairy Farm, leveraging his extensive experience across food retail, dairy, manufacturing and distribution. The group operates a mechanised bakery and staples-processing facility in Krishnagiri, producing bakery and confectionery products and processed staples for markets in South India, with some products distributed nationally and internationally.
He also heads Yeti Refrigeration, a South India-focused business specialising in refrigeration and retail-display solutions. His entrepreneurial journey reflects a strong focus on innovation, organised retail, food manufacturing and rural employment generation.