Name: Chris Padoan
New title: Chief operating office, Popeyes U.S. and Canada
Previous title: Vice president, South Region, Burger King U.S.
Padoan has more than 15 years of operations experience with Burger King, according to the press release. In his most recent role at Burger King, he oversaw operational improvements in the South region, working closely with operators and restaurant teams to improve performance and execution.
He also spent six years as the owner of a fast casual restaurant. Restaurant Brands International said this experience means Padoan possesses “a practical, firsthand perspective on what it takes to run great restaurants.”
At Popeyes, he will be responsible for strengthening execution and supporting franchisees, as the brand looks to improve the operations underpinning its guest experience.
Padoan is the latest executive RBI has shifted from BK to Popeyes. Peter Perdue, Popeyes president in North America, joined the chicken chain in November after two years as COO at Burger King, where he helped oversee the implementation of operational aspects of the Reclaim the Flame program. Burger King has posted same-store sales growth in six of the last eight quarters thanks to combined investments in marketing, operations and renovations.
Popeyes, on the other hand, has struggled, with a nearly 3% same-store sales decline for its U.S. business in 2025, per RBI’s earnings release, and U.S. franchisee four-wall profitability dropped from $255,000 in 2024 to $235,000 last year.
RBI’s CEO Joshua Kobza said on the company’s most recent earnings call that the chain’s underperformance relative to the booming chicken segment necessitated intervention in operations. Competitors in the chicken market have very good operations, and Popeyes needs to work on improving its store-level execution, he added.
“Popeyes' biggest opportunity is improving restaurant-level execution and reengaging with our core guests,” Kobza said. “We know Popeyes is capable of much more, and we're taking decisive action to put the brand back on the right path.”
Kobza said RBI has increased its field operations team for Popeyes by 75%, and is offering targeted support for weak performing locations.
