Julio Sánchez, most recently chief operating officer of CKE International (Carl's Jr.), has been appointed CEO of Pollo Campero's U.S. business, effective immediately. The move installs a multi-brand operator with more than 25 years across QSR franchising, development, and market entry — a profile that signals the Dallas-based chicken chain is shifting from brand-building mode into a structured growth phase.
Sánchez's résumé reads like a roadmap for exactly what Campero needs at this stage. He held senior roles at Pizza Hut, Burger King, and Church's Chicken before his tenure at CKE International, where he managed international operations across North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe. His background in same-store sales recovery and new-market introduction is directly relevant for a brand that competes in the increasingly crowded premium fried chicken segment alongside Chick-fil-A, Raising Cane's, and Popeyes.
What the Hire Signals
With more than 150 U.S. locations now open and a global portfolio exceeding 400 restaurants, Pollo Campero sits at an inflection point that operators and franchise investors should note. The brand is large enough to attract serious franchise capital but still small enough that unit-level economics and operational consistency can swing systemwide results. Bringing in an executive who specifically shepherded international QSR brands into domestic U.S. markets — and who is known for a floor-level management style — suggests CMI Foods is prioritizing four-wall performance before accelerating the unit count further.
José Gregorio Baquero, global CEO of CMI Foods, framed the appointment around execution: "Julio combines deep operational expertise with sound business judgment and a proven record of delivering results." That language — results, operational expertise — is deliberate signaling to franchise partners and development teams that the next chapter is about margin discipline alongside top-line growth.
Franchise and Vendor Implications
For foodservice operators watching the competitive fried chicken landscape, Campero's move is a data point worth tracking. The brand's core differentiator — a proprietary marinade and dual fried-and-roasted format rooted in Guatemalan family recipes — gives it a cultural authenticity story that resonates strongly in Hispanic-American markets. Sánchez's stated focus on community presence and guest experience suggests the brand will double down on those markets while working to broaden awareness beyond its existing base.
Vendors, packaging suppliers, and regional food distributors operating in Campero's existing markets should expect operational audits and potential sourcing reviews as a new CEO establishes priorities. Franchise groups considering the brand would be well served to evaluate how Sánchez's CKE playbook — which emphasized franchisee accountability and unit-level profitability — translates into Campero's development agreements. Operators looking for context on how QSR brands manage franchise expansion intelligence and leadership transitions in foodservice will find this appointment instructive.
Pollo Campero is part of Corporación Multi Inversiones (CMI), a family-owned multinational with 106 years of history and operations in 15 countries. The outgoing COO, Luis Javier Rodas, concluded nearly 26 years with CMI on October 16.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
