KFC Global Names Chief Operations Officer

KFC Global has named Maria Cacciapuoti as its chief operations officer, effective Sept. 1. She’ll report to Scott Mezvinsky, KFC Global CEO.

In her new role, Cacciapuoti will lead KFC’s Global Operations function, driving operational excellence across the brand and partnering with franchisees to modernize the KFC experience for consumers and restaurant employees. (The brand announced a slew of updates, including newly designed spaces, in June.)

Cacciapuoti joined KFC in 2015 and has held leadership roles in KFC markets around the world, including Italy, Iberia, Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe and most recently North Asia.

“Maria is known as a courageous leader who delivers results and has a passion for building high-performing teams and franchise partnerships,” the company says in a July 22 post. “She brings deep expertise in operations, finance and franchising and general management, with more than 20 years of her career spent in the restaurant and retail industries.” She has held roles at McDonald’s, Autogrill and Librerie Feltrinelli.

KFC, part of Yum Brands, has more than 34,000 restaurants in 150-plus countries.