Staffing

Church's Texas Chicken appoints CMO, chief legal officer

Navin Sharma, CMO of Church's Texas Chicken. Photo: Church's Texas Chicken

January 17, 2025

Chuch's Texas Chicken has appointed Navin Sharma as CMO to replace Church's retiring EVP and CMO Natalia Franco. The brand also named Alisa P. Cleek at chief legal officer and corporate secretary, according to a press release.

Alisa P. Cleek, chief legal officer and corporate secretary of Church's Texas Chicken. Photo: Church's Texas Chicken

Sharma will oversee brand marketing, digital strategies and advertising. Prior to Church's, Sharma was a founding partner at Datacraft Advisors, a specialized marketing and digital advisory firm. Sharma also spent many years of his career in the restaurant industry having served as the chief commercial services officer at Inspire Brands, Inc. and as the SVP of insights, analytics and digital at Arby's Restaurant Group.

Cleek joins Church's from Hooters of America, where she was chief legal officer and corporate secretary and had oversight for legal, human resources, risk management, loss prevention, real estate, compliance and licensing. Cleek was previously an equity partner and practice group leader at the national law firm of Taylor, English Duma, LLP.

"We are pleased to welcome Navin and Alisa to the Church's family," Joe Guith, CEO of Church's Texas Chicken, said in the release. "Their exceptional background and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to drive innovation, strengthen our brands, and navigate our rapidly changing industry."

Church's Texas Chicken and its international arm, Texas Chicken have more than 1,500 locations in 22 countries and global markets and system-wide sales of more than $1.4 billion.