Name: Kate Ward
New title: Chief legal officer, Bojangles
Previous title: Chief legal officer, KFC U.S.
Ward has more than15 years of experience in strategic leadership and legal guidance focused on business operations, according to a Monday press release. She began her role at Bojangles on Monday and succeeded Laura Roberts, who was at Bojangles for 12 years. Roberts will assist in the transition.
Ward previously spent nine years at KFC U.S., where she worked her way up from attorney to chief legal officer, according to her LinkedIn profile. As chief legal officer, a role she held for more than two years, she oversaw 15 legal professionals, guided legal strategy, compliance, risk management and franchise relations, according to the press release.
She also helped shape KFC’s growth and operational strategies, including leading negotiations for franchise and development agreements. In addition, she advised the leadership team and developed legal strategies to enable the use of various technologies.
“Kate’s deep expertise in strategic growth initiatives, franchise law and compliance makes her the perfect fit for Bojangles,” Jose Armario, Bojangles CEO, said in a statement. “Her leadership and experience will be instrumental as we continue to expand and innovate.”
Like many chicken chains, Bojangles, which currently has about 800 company-owned and franchised units, has been growing rapidly through franchising. It is currently on a path to surpass 1,000 units. Last year, the brand expanded into catering, began installing ordering kiosks and implemented voice AI at hundreds of drive-thrus.
