Fuku, a collection of fast casual restaurants specializing in fried chicken sandwiches created by chef and restaurateur David Chang, has hired Claudia Lezcano as CEO and president.
The former Church’s Texas Chicken SVP of U.S. marketing has also worked for Celebrity Cruises, the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, the MLB’s Miami Marlins and spent eight years with Burger King Corp., where she led strategy and marketing communications for the then $3 billion company, according to a company press release.
“I have known Claudia throughout my career and admire her tremendous work ethic, brilliant marketing vision, and positive attitude while facing the toughest of challenges,” Matt Higgins, co-founder and CEO of RSE Ventures, whose portfolio includes Fuku, as well as Chang’s culinary brands, Momofuku and Bluestone Lane, said in the release. “Claudia is one of those dynamic executives who understands that the success of a restaurant brand starts with operational excellence and delivering on the promises you make to your customers and broader communities.”
Lezcano said she was honored to take the top leadership roles.
“Chef David Chang created an unmatched chicken sandwich when he founded Momofuku à Fuku in 2015, and my vision is to continue building upon on his original concept by offering approachable, tasty food that changes the way people think about fast casual,” she said in the release. “I look forward to working with the team to continue growing our footprint throughout the country so even more guests can delight in Fuku’s one-of-a-kind chicken sandwich.”