Pollo Campero hires CKE vet as US CEO

Julio Sánchez, who has over 25 years of restaurant experience, will focus on the chain’s next phase of growth as it targets 250 units in the U.S.

• Pollo Campero, a QSR chicken chain, has appointed Julio Sánchez as CEO of its U.S. business.

• Sánchez succeeds Luis Javier Rodas, who retired on Friday after nearly 26 years working at CMI, Pollo Campero’s parent company. Rodas served as CEO for Campero USA for over eight years, according to his LinkedIn profile .

• Sánchez, who previously worked as chief operating officer at CKE International, joins the chain as it grows beyond its roughly 150 U.S. restaurants.

In his new role, Sánchez will initially focus on improving operations, boosting same-store sales growth and increasing brand awareness through guest experience improvements, the press release said.

Sánchez has over 25 years of experience in restaurant operations, franchising and development across North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe. In addition to working at CKE International, he held roles at Pizza Hut, Burger King and Church’s Chicken.

During his career, he “successfully introduced brands into new markets and drove strong same-store sales growth,” the press release said.

Sánchez has a hands-on leadership style and prefers to lead from the restaurant floor, the press release said. He works closely with team members, franchise partners and guests.

“Julio combines deep operational expertise with sound business judgment and a proven record of delivering results. He is the right leader to guide Campero into its next stage of growth,” said José Gregorio Baquero, global CEO of CMI Foods.

Pollo Campero previously announced a goal of reaching 250 U.S. restaurants by 2027, and opened its 150th restaurant earlier this year. Pollo Campero has over 400 restaurants across the U.S., Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico, Honduras and Ecuador.