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BK names new president for Europe, Middle East and Africa regionBK names new president for Europe, Middle East and Africa region

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

July 16, 2009

1 Min Read
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Ron Ruggless

MIAMI Burger King Corp. on Wednesday named Kevin Higgins president of its Europe, Middle East and Africa region, based in Zug, Switzerland.

Higgins will assume the post in August, replacing Peter Robinson, who will complete his three-year commitment to the company in October, Burger King said.

Higgins most recently was general manager of Yum! Brands Inc.’s Europe and Russian franchise business unit. He will report to John Chidsey, Burger King's chairman and chief executive.

“Kevin’s industry and multinational experience are significant assets to our business, and we are pleased to have him on board,” Chidsey said. “We’ve made considerable strides in the past few years in Europe and the Middle East, and we thank Peter Robinson for his contributions to our business. We are confident that through Kevin’s leadership, we will continue to build on our accomplishments in the region.”

Higgins’ career spans more than 20 years in the consumer foods industry in Europe and the United States. Before overseeing franchise business for Yum, Higgins held a variety of positions at Yum’s office in the United Kingdom. Prior to joining Yum, Higgins worked for Pepsico Restaurants in London and for M&M/Mars Inc. in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Burger King has more than 11,800 restaurants in the United States and 74 nations.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].

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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