Name:

Catherine Tan-Gillespie

New Title:

President, KFC U.S.

Previous Title:

Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Development Officer, KFC U.S.

Catherine Tan-Gillespie is set to assume the role of President of KFC’s U.S. division, effective April 1. This announcement was made through a press release issued by the renowned chicken chain. Tan-Gillespie has been an integral part of the KFC brand since 2015, initially joining as the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for KFC’s South Pacific region. She later advanced to the role of KFC Global CMO, further solidifying her leadership within the organization.

In 2022, Tan-Gillespie succeeded Nick Chavez as the U.S. Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Development Officer. Her appointment coincided with the brand’s renewed efforts to accelerate its turnaround strategy. In this capacity, she oversaw various aspects of the chain’s operations, including integrated marketing, advertising, public relations, media relations, consumer insights, and digital engagement.

Prior to her role in the U.S., Tan-Gillespie served as the President and General Manager of KFC’s Canadian operations. During her tenure, she successfully transformed the business by implementing strategic initiatives that included accelerating restaurant upgrades, enhancing digital ordering capabilities, offering compelling value deals, and launching award-winning advertising campaigns.

In her upcoming position as President, Tan-Gillespie will report directly to Scott Mezvinsky, who was appointed as CEO of KFC effective March 1. Her predecessor, Tarun Lal, who has held the position of U.S. President since 2022, is set to retire after more than three decades of service with the KFC brand.

In recent years, KFC U.S. has faced challenges compared to other chicken brands, experiencing a decline in same-store sales. Reports indicate that same-store sales fell by 5% year-over-year in both the fourth quarter and throughout 2024, as disclosed in Yum Brands’ most recent earnings report.

In response to these challenges, KFC has initiated the testing of a new concept named Saucy by KFC, which features a menu centered around chicken tenders and sandwiches, along with a selection of sauces and premium beverages. Yum Brands CEO David Gibbs highlighted the promising early engagement with this new concept, expressing confidence in its potential to drive sales and enhance the brand’s relevance in a competitive market.

The introduction of Saucy by KFC could play a crucial role in revitalizing KFC’s U.S. operations, particularly in light of the growing popularity of chicken tenders and sandwiches among competitors like Raising Cane’s and Dave’s Hot Chicken. Additionally, the surge in interest from Gen Z consumers in premium beverage options has prompted major chains, including McDonald’s and Jollibee, to invest in new beverage platforms to attract this demographic.

As KFC prepares for this transition in leadership, updates regarding the appointments for the U.S. CMO and Chief Development Officer positions will be announced at a later date. The brand is poised to leverage Tan-Gillespie’s extensive experience and innovative vision to navigate the challenges ahead and drive KFC toward a successful future in the U.S. market.