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Former KFC president replaces embattled CEO at Hardee's parent company

March 22, 2017

With hardly a mention of the resignation of its CEO of 16 years and former U.S. Labor Secretary nominee, Andrew Puzder, CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. announced that former KFC U.S. President Jason Marker would fill the top job, beginning in April. 

The company — which includes the Hardees and Carl's Jr. brands — stepped into an often negative national spotlight when President Donald Trump nominated Puzder to lead the U.S. Labor Department, a federal agency that oversees all matters related to U.S. workers. 

Puzder, who had served as CKE's president and CEO since 2000, pulled out of the nomination process last month after Republicans in Congress backed away from supporting him after it was alleged that he failed to pay taxes within a timely period for his former housekeeper who wasn't authorized to work in this country. He also took a barrage of heat from labor organizations for his well-publicized opinions opposing significant wage increases, as well as numerous regulations intended to protect American workers. 

But, the CKE announcement late Tuesday only mentioned Puzder in a quote attributed to him in the press release about the appointment of his successor. 

"Jason has tremendous experience in franchising, in the QSR sector, and in positioning and growing iconic brands,” the release said that the 66-year-old Puzder who it said "has served as CKE’s CEO since 2000" had said of his successor.

He added that  "I expressed my desire to have CKE plan for succession approximately a year ago, and I could not be more pleased to have Jason Marker selected to be the company’s next leader. He is an outstanding executive who will continue to build the Hardees and Carl’s Jr. brands both internationally and domestically."

USA Today newspaper reached Puzder last night by phone and reported that he told them the events surrounding the nomination had nothing to do with his decision to retire. Instead, he told the newspaper that his four-year contract was up and he decided last year that "I’ve been CEO long enough." He also told the paper he didn't know whether he would remain involved in the QSR industry. 

CKE Restaurant Holdings said in its release that Marker is not only an experienced player in the industry but has a proven track record of revenue and profit growth, innovation and brand positioning, which he will put to use for Hardees and Carl's Jr. beginning in April. 

As president of KFC U.S., Marker was responsible for the overall strategy and performance of a business with more than $4.2 billion in system sales, 4,200 restaurants, and 450 franchisees. Marker launched an advertising campaign in 2015, invested in operations and partnered with the franchise community to drive profitable growth, the release said. 

KFC U.S. has reported three consecutive years of same-store sales and transaction growth, as well as a the doubling of its operating margins. 

Marker has been president of the brand since 2013, and previously held an array of marketing leadership roles at parent company, Yum Brands. He has a master's degree in  business and commerce from New Zealand's Victoria University and has also held previous leadership positions at Unilever.

Earlier, KFC U.S. announcedit named Kevin Hochman its new president. 

Photo: iStock