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RBI names Sami Siddiqui as president of Popeyes AmericasRBI names Sami Siddiqui as president of Popeyes Americas

Former Asia-Pacific executive succeeds Felipe Athayde at quick-service brand

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

September 8, 2020

1 Min Read
Popeyes names Sami Siddiqui president 2020Aug
Sami Siddiqui has been named president of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen for the Americas.Restaurant Brands International Inc.

Restaurant Brands International Inc. has named Sami Siddiqui as president of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen for the Americas, the company said Tuesday.

The Toronto-based company, which also owns Burger King and Tim Hortons, said Siddiqui succeeds Felipe Athayde, who is leaving RBI for a role outside the quick-service industry.

Siddiqui most recently served as president of Asia-Pacific for RBI, leading the growth of Popeyes, Burger King and Tim Hortons throughout the region, including introducing the Popeyes brand in China and the Philippines.

“Popeyes is a brand with a well-known heritage and more recently has demonstrated unprecedented growth through exceptional menu innovation in our iconic chicken sandwich,” said José Cil, RBI’s CEO, in a statement. “Sami has an excellent track record working with our franchisees to drive our brand and restaurant expansion."

The company said Siddiqui and Athayde will work together to transition the role throughout September.

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen ranked No. 19 among restaurant brands in U.S. systemwide sales in the most recent Nation’s Restaurant News Top 200. Domestic sales were $3.8 billion for the fiscal year ended December 2019, up from $3.2 billion in the preceding year.

Restaurant Brands International has more than 27,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries and U.S. territories.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

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About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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