Church’s Texas Chicken® Appoints Roland Gonzalez as CEO to Lead Brand’s Next Phase of Global Growth
Church’s Texas Chicken®, one of the world’s largest quick-service chicken restaurant chains, has announced the appointment of Roland Gonzalez as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). With decades of experience in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry, Gonzalez steps into this role after serving as Chief Operations Officer (COO), where he played a pivotal role in shaping the brand’s transformation over the past two years. As CEO, Gonzalez will be responsible for leading the next phase of the brand’s evolution, strengthening its market position, and accelerating its global expansion. He succeeds Joe Guith, who was appointed CEO in 2022 and has since contributed significantly to the company’s recent growth initiatives.
A Proven Leader in the QSR Industry
Gonzalez is widely recognized as a respected industry leader with a track record of success in business transformation, operational excellence, and international expansion. His expertise in streamlining processes, strengthening franchisee partnerships, and enhancing the guest experience has been demonstrated through senior leadership roles at some of the largest QSR brands. Before joining Church’s Texas Chicken®, Gonzalez held high-level positions at Burger King, Tim Hortons, and Popeyes, where he developed and implemented global growth strategies that helped drive expansion across multiple international markets. He also previously served as Executive Vice President of Operations at Virtual Dining Concepts and was Head of Global Operations Standards and Strategy at Restaurant Brands International (RBI), overseeing a portfolio of over 20,000 restaurants worldwide.
Under Gonzalez’s leadership as COO, Church’s Texas Chicken® has seen significant progress in revitalizing its brand, modernizing operations, and enhancing customer satisfaction. His appointment as CEO reflects the company’s commitment to building on this momentum and setting ambitious goals for the future.
Church’s Texas Chicken’s Vision for Growth
The appointment of Gonzalez as CEO comes at a time when Church’s Texas Chicken® is focused on expanding its footprint and reaching new milestones. With an aggressive goal of reaching $2 billion in system-wide sales within the next few years, the brand aims to accelerate growth through enhanced customer engagement, innovative menu offerings, and strategic franchise partnerships. The company remains dedicated to maximizing franchisee profitability while maintaining the core values and bold flavors that have made Church’s a beloved brand for decades.
High Bluff Capital Partners, the private investment firm backing Church’s Texas Chicken®, expressed confidence in Gonzalez’s ability to lead the company into its next phase of expansion.
“Church’s Texas Chicken® has made significant strides toward revitalizing its legendary brand by focusing on delivering outstanding, bold-flavored chicken, enhancing service and value to customers, and staying true to our community-oriented roots. We thank Joe Guith for being an important part of the first major phase of our transformation as he moves on to his next chapter,” said Anand Gowda, founder of High Bluff Capital Partners.
“Our priority now is to build on this progress and significantly accelerate our momentum and expansion as we strive to reach $2 billion in system sales within the next few years while maximizing franchisee profitability,” Gowda added. “To that end, we are thrilled to welcome Roland Gonzalez as our new CEO—a visionary leader who already has had a tremendous impact on Church’s transformation as COO. His deep understanding of the QSR industry, commitment to growth-focused operational excellence, and dedication to driving franchisee profitability make him the ideal leader to guide Church’s through its next major evolution.”
A Commitment to Innovation and Excellence
Gonzalez has expressed enthusiasm about leading Church’s Texas Chicken® into a new era of growth.
“I am honored to now lead this great brand at a critical inflection point in our growth journey,” said Gonzalez. “With a rich history of quality, bold flavor, and being truly invested in the communities we serve, Church’s holds a special place in the hearts of millions. I look forward to working alongside our talented team and valued franchisee partners to drive innovation, enhance our guest experience, and expand our footprint globally. We have only begun to scratch the surface of the tremendous opportunity ahead.”
Gonzalez is focused on leveraging cutting-edge technology, streamlining supply chain operations, and developing a customer-centric strategy to elevate the brand. Church’s Texas Chicken® has already taken significant steps in adopting digital ordering, enhancing loyalty programs, and modernizing restaurant designs to align with evolving consumer preferences. As the brand continues to navigate a competitive QSR landscape, Gonzalez is committed to ensuring that every aspect of the business is aligned with its long-term vision for sustainable growth.
Strengthening Franchisee Relationships and Market Positioning
One of Gonzalez’s primary objectives as CEO will be to deepen franchisee relationships and ensure their continued success. With a strong network of franchise operators across multiple regions, Church’s Texas Chicken® relies on these partnerships to maintain consistency, quality, and service excellence. By working closely with franchisees and providing them with the necessary tools and resources, Gonzalez aims to drive increased profitability and foster long-term brand loyalty.
Additionally, the company will continue exploring opportunities for strategic expansion in key international markets. Church’s Texas Chicken® has seen growing demand in regions such as Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, where consumers have shown a strong appetite for bold-flavored, high-quality fried chicken. Gonzalez plans to spearhead initiatives that will introduce Church’s to new markets while strengthening its presence in existing territories.
As Gonzalez takes the helm as CEO, the future of Church’s Texas Chicken® looks promising. With a commitment to quality, innovation, and community engagement, the brand is poised to solidify its position as a leader in the global quick-service chicken category. By focusing on customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and strategic growth, Church’s Texas Chicken® is set to achieve new milestones under Gonzalez’s leadership.
With a history spanning nearly seven decades, Church’s Texas Chicken® has built a legacy of serving delicious, bold-flavored fried chicken that resonates with customers worldwide. Gonzalez’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the brand, one that will bring continued growth, enhanced customer experiences, and strengthened franchise partnerships. As the company sets its sights on the future, the leadership of Roland Gonzalez will undoubtedly play a key role in shaping Church’s Texas Chicken® into a powerhouse in the QSR industry for years to come.
