3G names new CEO for Burger King3G names new CEO for Burger King

Ron Ruggless

The private-equity firm acquiring Burger King Holdings Inc. said it would appoint Bernardo Hees as chief executive of the nation's No. 2 burger chain once the deal closes.

Hees most recently was chief executive of America Latina Logistica, or ALL, Latin America's largest railroad and logistics company, and is a partner in Brazilian-backed 3G Capital, which said last week it would acquire Miami-based Burger King for $24 a share in a deal valued at $4 billion. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter.

Hees will replace Burger King's current chief executive, John W. Chidsey, who will serve as co-chairman of the new company along with Alex Behring, managing partner of 3G Capital.

"Bernardo is an experienced executive with an impressive track record of enhancing performance at ALL, where he managed a team that drove strong gains in both revenues and profitability," Behring said. "I know he will be an excellent steward of the Burger King brand."

Hees joined 3G Capital as a partner in July after serving at ALL as chief executive and a board member since January 2005. He previously served as chief operating officer at ALL, where he has worked since 1998.

"Burger King is a pre-eminent company with a truly unique global brand and a strong product offering going back decades, such as the world-renowned Whopper sandwich," Hees said. "I'm thrilled at the opportunity to lead the company, working alongside John, Alex and the broad pool of talent already at the company."

Burger King operates or franchises more than 12,150 restaurants in the United States and 76 other nations and territories.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].