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© History Oasis
Note: Since its founding, Burger King has had more than twenty CEOs, but some interim CEOs and very short-term leadership appointments between major transitions may not be fully documented in available records.
1954-1967
The visionary duo who transformed a failing Insta-Burger King into America’s second-largest burger chain. McLamore created the iconic Whopper in 1957 for 37¢, choosing the name because it conveyed “something big.” They pioneered franchising and plastic cutlery in fast food.
1980s-1989
The transition leader during Pillsbury’s sale to Grand Metropolitan. Levin was replaced when the new owners decided BK needed fresh leadership and consistent marketing. His departure marked the end of American ownership and the beginning of international control.
1989-1993
Gibbons was a former UK pub manager who cut 500+ jobs, survived Hurricane Andrew destroying HQ, and launched Kids Club (1M signups in 2 months). He greenlit the acquisition of 381 Wimpy locations, converting 200 to Burger Kings. Gibbons was horrible at advertising but doubled profits to $250M annually.
1993-1995
The back-to-basics CEO who increased burger sizes by 50%. Adamson created the first successful ad campaign, “Get your burger’s worth,” and achieved 28% sales growth. He consulted all the time with co-founder McLamore to bring BK back to its roots.
1995-1997
Lowes was a Grand Met Foods Europe executive who set ambitious goals: $10B sales by 1997 and 10,000 outlets by 2000. He gained a position on the Grand Met executive committee, signaling corporate commitment. His tenure ended with the Guinness merger, creating Diageo.
1997-2000
As a former Asian beverage division executive, Malamatinas presided during the “neglect era” when Diageo focused on spirits over burgers. Systematic institutional neglect damaged major BK franchises and decreased total company value significantly.
December 2002-July 2004
Brad Blum was a former Olive Garden turnaround expert who doubled profits in year one. He was hired by the hip ad agency CP+B, and restored the “Have it your way” campaign to Burger King. He quit after 18 months over “strategic differences.”
August 2004-April 2006
Brenneman was a Mennonite-raised airline turnaround specialist from Kansas who led BK to its record-breaking IPO. He was the youngest Bain & Company partner in history, with a Harvard MBA with distinction. He announced public offering plans and generated $425M in the largest restaurant chain IPO ever.
April 2006-October 2010
The longest-serving modern CEO in Burger King’s history. Chidsey was a lawyer/CPA who achieved a 68% stock price jump and a record $2.2B revenue in 2007. Expanded globally into four new countries. Feuded with franchisees over $1 Double Cheeseburger, leading to lawsuits. Chidsey later ran Subway.
October 2010-2013
Brazilian 3G Capital managing partner who co-chaired during $3.26B acquisition. Be hiring represented a 46% premium surprise buyout that shocked previous CEO Chidsey. He started a massive restructuring, where he fired seven top executives and 261 HQ employees immediately.
2013-2019
Schwartz is the youngest restaurant CEO in history at 32. He never flipped burgers, so he worked drive-thrus and broiler stations to learn. Daniel doubled BK’s market cap, created Restaurant Brands International via a $12.5B Tim Hortons merger. He was a wonderkid in the fast food world.
2019-2023
Cil was a bankruptcy lawyer turned collaborative leader who worked Whopper stations in 2003. He created the Popeyes chicken sandwich phenomenon—the strongest single-quarter sales in modern restaurant history. Cil led Burger King through the pandemic and won Restaurant Leader of the Year 2021.
March 2023-Present
Josh Kobza is an 11-year company veteran, climbing from CFO to CTO to COO to CEO. Integral to Tim Hortons, Popeyes, and Firehouse acquisitions. Kobza is a former Blackstone analyst tasked with reclaiming the #2 burger spot from Wendy’s via $ a $400M “Reclaim the Flame” investment.
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