Name: Natalia Franco

New title: EVP, global chief marketing officer, Church’s Texas Chicken

Previous title: Marketing SVP, Focus Brands

Franco joins several new hires at Church’s, including a CFO, procurement VP and CEO, as the brand focuses on domestic and international growth under new ownership. Franco brings over 30 years of executive leadership experience to her position at Church’s, which she began on Monday, according to a company press release. She has experience in P&L and business development, portfolio management, customer relationship management and leadership development, among other skills. 

In her new position, Franco will be responsible creating “a strategic vision for the brand and creatively leading marketing ideation, brand execution and digital prowess across the organization to drive brand awareness and positioning,” all of which will help the company’s continued growth and franchise relationships. 

Franco has held several positions across the industry, including EVP, chief brand and strategy officer at California Pizza Kitchen; president and founder of Brandmark Global; SVP and CMO at IHOP; and global CMO and EVP for Burger King. In her most recent position, she served as marketing SVP at Focus Brands for concepts including Jamba, Auntie Anne’s, Cinnabon and Carvel. Prior to that role, she was CMO at McAlister’s Deli.