News

Church's Chicken changes up leadership team

January 17, 2012

Atlanta-based Church's Chicken has announced a handful of changes to its leadership team, spearheaded by newly appointed CEO Jim Hyatt.

Effective immediately, new team members and promotions are as follows:

• Edward Brett, executive vice president, Chief People Officer. Brett joins Church's after having served as a consultant for the brand in 2011. Prior to joining Church's, he was the EVP of Human Resources and Community Affairs for Macy's Inc. Central Division in Atlanta. He also served in senior positions in Human Resources at Gaylan's Trading Company and Circuit City. As chief people officer, Brett's responsibilities include HR operations, improving talent acquisitions and development and employee relations. He reports to Hyatt.
• Edward Williams, vice president, Company Operations. Williams most recently was at Burger King Corporation with the same title. He will be responsible for deploying key initiatives and multi-unit operator developments as well as sales and profit improvements for 250 company-owned restaurants. The multi-unit infrastructure includes 32 market leaders and three zone directors. Williams reports to Jim Bowie, president, U.S. Operations.
• Zack Kollias has been promoted to EVP, International Operations.Kollias joined Church's in 2005 and has led the international team since 2006. His responsibilities include overseeing operations, restaurant development, purchasing, training, marketing and new product development for 442 Church's /Texas Chicken franchise restaurants in 21 countries. Kollias reports Hyatt.
• Marcus Wasdin, has been promoted to VP, Information Systems and Learning Technology.In his new role, Wasdin will be responsible for aligning the company's information systems to achieve the brand's goals and objectives. This includes optimizing internal and external resource systems in support of global company and restaurant operations. He will report to Dusty Profumo, chief financial officer.

"As we move forward to strengthen our brand globally and relentlessly work on improving restaurant operations and profitability for all our stakeholders, it's important to continue to bring the right mix of experience, strategic foresight and drive to our team," Hyatt said.

Read more about operations management.