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Burger King president Chris Finazzo leaves Restaurant Brands InternationalBurger King president Chris Finazzo leaves Restaurant Brands International

Burger King CMO Ellie Doty and COO Tom Curtis will take on his roles on an interim basis

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

July 7, 2021

1 Min Read
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Joanna Fantozzi

Restaurant Brands International Inc. announced that Burger King Americas president, Chris Finazzo, has left the company, according to an 8-K form filed Tuesday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The company did not give a reason for Finazzo’s departure, and no replacement has yet been announced. On an interim basis, Burger King chief marketing officer, Ellie Doty, and chief operating officer, Tom Curtis “will be responsible for the Burger King brand and business in the U.S. and Canada” until a replacement is announced, the 8-K form clarified.

Both Doty and Curtis report directly to RBI CEO José Cil. Doty joined the company last year after previous experience in leadership roles at Chili’s and Yum Brands. Curtis joined the company after several decades as a franchisee and later, executive vice president, with Domino’s Pizza.

Earlier this year, former RBI chief marketing officer Fernando Machado announced his resignation after seven years with the company.

As of March 31, RBI had 27,173 restaurants, including 18,691 Burger Kings, 4,987 Tim Hortons and 3,495 Popeyes, in more than 100 countries.

Contact Joanna at [email protected]

Find her on Twitter: @JoannaFantozzi

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Tim HortonsYum Brands

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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