Burger King Announces Management Shifts

Leadership change at Burger King is being fueled by its equity firm parent’s acquisition activity.

Burger King Worldwide CEO Bernardo Hees is leaving the company to become CEO at H.J. Heinz Co., which parent company 3G Capital is in the process of acquiring. The chain’s CFO Daniel Schwartz will take over the chief executive role on July 1 or when the acquisition is completed—whichever comes first. He already has stepped into the role of COO, reporting to Hees.

Hees will remain at Burger King until 3G Capital, in partnership with Berkshire Hathaway, completes its purchase of Pittsburgh-based Heinz; he will continue to serve on the chain’s board of directors.

Both men have been with Burger King since 2010, the same year the company was acquired by 3G Capital. Miami-based Burger King operates or franchises nearly 13,000 locations worldwide.