News

Church's, Texas Chicken tap former Popeyes execs for development roles

December 12, 2017

Church's and Texas Chicken brands have made a big investment in their development leadership, hiring three one-time Popeyes executives to fill key roles, a news release said. 

The three are:

• Russ Sumrall, director of international business development, Church’s and Texas Chicken
  Sumrall, who has nearly 40 years of restaurant leadership experience, is now responsible for the international growth of both brands. He previously served as chief operations and development officer for the Kudu Company for Food and Catering  and as vice president of international supply chain management, quality assurance and product commercialization at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen.

• Mitch Langston, director of international marketing, Church's and Texas Chicken 
  The QSR and casual dining veteran stepped into his new role in August. According to the release, he has a track record in brand building that includes previous work at Popeyes and Applebee's.

• Tanya Mareno, director of domestic new business, Church's
  Mareno previously managed market development planning and communications for Popeyes Louisiana Chicken. At Church’s, she will pursue domestic development agreements with new and existing franchise operators and assist franchisees to boost market share and unit growth. 

Church's Chicken hired vice president of domestic franchise development David Knies in July. The 65-year-old brand, and its Texas Chicken sister brand, have more than 1,600 locations in 27 countries and international territories and system-wide sales of more than $1 billion. 

Editor’s Note: Church’s CMO Hector Munoz shares his thoughts on marketing a brand with “some age on it” in the newly released QSR State of the Industry report. In April, CEO Joe Christina will address the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit in Louisville.