Name: Meghan Farren
New title: President, Taco Bell North America
Previous title: General manager, KFC UK and Ireland
Farren, who has worked in various leadership roles for KFC’s U.K. and Ireland business over 10 years, will move to her new position at Taco Bell on Feb. 10, according to an email sent to Restaurant Dive. She has had “tremendous impact” on KFC’s business, per the company.
Farren held her most recent role for more than two years, per her LinkedIn profile. Prior to that, she served as chief customer officer at ASDA, a U.K. supermarket chain, after spending almost six years as chief marketing officer for KFC U.K. and Ireland. In the CMO position, she “led the business through a multi-year turnaround, transforming KFC into a modern, relevant, and distinctive brand whilst delivering same store sales and profit growth,” according to her LinkedIn profile. Her previous roles included marketing director and innovation director for this KFC division. She has also worked at Gu Chocolate Puds, Marakon and JPMorgan.
Farren succeeds Scott Mezvinsky, who was promoted to the KFC U.S. CEO position earlier this month, following Sabir Sami’s departure.
Farren will oversee a business that is well positioned for further sales and growth in the U.S. and is one of parent company Yum’s biggest growth drivers. Taco Bell posted a 4% increase in same-store sales in the U.S. in Q3 while many other U.S. chains faltered.
Taco Bell’s latest strategies for growing traffic and sales include additional price points for its Luxe Cravings Box, testing a beverage-driven concept and menu innovation like its recent chicken nuggets limited-time offering.
“Taco Bell's competitive advantages in innovation, value leadership at compelling price points and strong consumer connection are clear reasons why the brand remains a category of one when it comes to winning with consumers in any economic environment,” Yum Brands CEO David Gibbs said during a November earnings call.
