Keymer resigns as CEO of Popeyes' parentKeymer resigns as CEO of Popeyes' parent

ATLANTA Popeyes parent AFC Enterprises said it has appointed Frederick B. Beilstein to serve as interim chief executive officer following the resignation of Ken Keymer, who also served as president. No reason was given for Keymer’s departure, which is effective March 30.

Beilstein is a managing partner of Equicorp Partners LLC, a investment and consulting company affiliated with AFC chairman and former CEO Frank Belatti. Beilstein had been chief financial officer of AFC from 2004 to 2005, when he left to join Equicorp. Keymer was hired as Popeyes’ president in 2004 and was widely seen as Belatti’s successor as AFC’s CEO. He moved up to that job in 2005.

AFC also announced that it had created the post of chief operating officer and filled it with James Lyons, a Burger King and Domino’s veteran who had been serving as the chicken-chain franchisor’s chief development officer.

The announcement indicated that the company is beginning the search for a permanent successor to Keymer.

AFC is based here. It operates or franchises 1,876 quick-service chicken restaurants.