Atlanta-based quick-service chain Church’s Chicken has named Jim Hyatt as chief executive officer. Hyatt resigned from the CEO position at Cosi Inc. just two months ago. Hyatt succeeds Mel Deane, who served as the chain’s chief executive since 2009.
Hyatt has more than 35 years of restaurant experience, including four years at Deerfield, Ill-based Cosi, where he worked from 2007 until his resignation in August. Before serving as Cosi’s chief executive, Hyatt spent 16 years as an executive and franchise owner at Burger King Holdings. During his tenure as a Burger King franchisee, he represented more than 11,000 restaurants and more than 1,200 franchisees in 65 countries, while serving on various committees in leaderhip roles with the brand’s National Franchisee Association. Prior to that, Hyatt served as director of operations at Hardee’s Restaurants from 1988 to 1990.
Church’s has more than 1,700 locations in 23 countries and system sales approaching $1.2 billion.
