1851

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/josecil/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-leaders-jose-cil-ceo-of-restaurant-brands-international-2720565" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">José Cil</a>, a proud Miami native and the son of Cuban immigrants, has been an instrumental part of the success&nbsp;<a href="https://franchising.popeyes.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-leaders-jose-cil-ceo-of-restaurant-brands-international-2720565" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Popeyes</a> has seen in recent years.&nbsp;After working his way up the industry ladder, Cil became the Chief Executive Officer of Popeyes’ parent company, Restaurant Brands International (RBI), in 2019. RBI was created when Burger King bought Tim Hortons in 2014, acquiring Popeyes three years later.&nbsp;The CEO is a graduate of Tulane University and started off his career practicing law after earning a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. In 2000, he learned that Burger King was in the market for an in-house counsel. He went on to spend three years as an attorney at the company before moving to the operations side.&nbsp;Starting in December 2014, Cil served as President of Burger King. He has also held positions as Executive Vice President and President of Europe, the Middle East and Africa for Burger King Worldwide from November 2010 until December 2014.&nbsp;Earlier in his career, Cil was Vice President and Regional General Manager for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. in Florida. He was also formerly on the board of directors for Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Burger King’s largest franchisee, and was Co-Chairman of the Burger King McLamore Foundation.In Cil’s first year as CEO of Popeyes, the brand introduced its famous chicken sandwich. The new item became so popular that the restaurant ran out of supplies within the first two weeks and had to be pulled from menus temporarily. During the hiatus, the chain sourced more ingredients, added more staff and successfully reintroduced the sandwich that November.&nbsp;The launch resulted in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/leadership/restaurant-brands-international-ceo-jose-cil-restaurant-leader-year?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-leaders-jose-cil-ceo-of-restaurant-brands-international-2720565" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">single strongest same-store sales quarter</a> for a single chain in recent industry history. Dozens of other fast-food brands followed suit by introducing their own versions of the upgraded chicken sandwich. This led to what was dubbed the “chicken sandwich wars.”&nbsp;This period also changed the game for Popeyes by bringing more solo diners to its drive-thru. The chain was previously reliant on larger family orders for the majority of its sales. Cil has noted that the chicken sandwich drove a massive volume increase for the franchise.Another of RBI’s most noteworthy accomplishments under Cil has been its international growth efforts with Burger King. Using a combination of unique joint venture partnerships with master franchisees in different markets, the company was able to speed up growth outside of the United States.&nbsp;This is a strategy RBI continues to use with Popeyes and Tim Hortons, with Cil noting that there is plenty of opportunity for growth in both brands.&nbsp;In 2021, Cil was awarded Restaurant Leader of the Year by Restaurant Business Magazine, being recognized for his collaborative leadership style and vision to drive growth for RBI brands in the United States and worldwide. He was also named a South Florida Ultimate CEO honoree by the South Florida Business Journal during the same year.&nbsp;Cil is a known leader in the South Florida community. He is involved in organizations that promote the economic development of the state, serving as a Council Member on the Florida Council of 100 and as a Board Member of Enterprise Florida.

Top Franchise Leaders: José Cil, CEO of Restaurant Brands International

1851 Franchise

The Restaurant Brands International CEO led the franchise in the famous 2019 ‘chicken sandwich wars.’

top-franchise-leaders-jose-cil-ceo-of-restaurant-brands-international

TruBlue Home Service Ally

NJBiz: Preventing Falls Crucial in Helping Older Adults Maintain Independence

njbiz-preventing-falls-crucial-in-helping-older-adults-maintain-independence

Griswold

How to Protect Seniors From Tax Day Scams This Year

protecting-seniors-from-tax-day-scams

Happy Joe’s Franchising

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Franchise Opportunity: Happy Joe’s Looks To Reignite Its Legacy in Iowa 

happy-joes-franchise-cedar-rapids-iowa-opportunity

Children's Lighthouse

Children’s Lighthouse Wraps Up Q1 With Two New Openings and Continued Industry Recognition

childrens-lighthouse-wraps-up-q1-with-two-new-openings-and-continued-industry-recognition

Why Texas Is the Perfect State To Open a Happy Joe’s Franchise

why-texas-is-the-perfect-state-to-open-a-happy-joes-franchise

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Layoffs Surge to Pandemic-Era Highs, Opening Doors for Franchise Growth

layoffs-surge-to-pandemic-era-highs-opening-doors-for-franchise-growth

FAT Brands Becomes First Restaurant Franchise To Accept Bitcoin for Royalty Payments

fat-brands-becomes-first-restaurant-franchise-to-accept-bitcoin-for-royalty-payments

Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs To Retire in 2026 After 36 Years With the Company

yum-brands-ceo-david-gibbs-to-retire-in-2026-after-36-years-with-the-company

Hooters Bankruptcy - Chapter 11 - April 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Files for Bankruptcy, Sells Restaurants to Franchisee Group

hooters-bankruptcy-chapter-11-april-2025

Fly Dance Fitness Expands With First Franchise Location in Georgia

fly-dance-fitness-franchise-expansion

franchise supplier award design with Locate AI logo and 1851 Franchise badge

Franchise Real Estate Services | Locate AI — Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support

locate-ai-emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

Consulting and Development | Big Sky Franchise Team — Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support

consulting-and-development-big-sky-franchise-team-emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support: 1851 Supplier Highlights

Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support: List of Franchise Suppliers

emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

1851 Franchise Coffee & Analytics design with photo of Nick Powills

Franchise Truth Bombs: What Buyers Wish They Knew Before Signing!

franchise-truth-bombs-what-buyers-wish-they-knew-before-signing

Florida Franchisee Reflects on Success and Growth with Sylvan Learning

florida-franchisee-reflects-on-success-and-growth-with-sylvan-learning

Franchise Deep Dive: Studio Pilates Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

franchise-deep-dive-studio-pilates-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025

paris-baguette-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025

Military Veteran and Craft Beer Enthusiast to Bring Voodoo Brewing Co. to Toledo, Ohio

military-veteran-and-craft-beer-enthusiast-to-bring-voodoo-brewing-co-to-toledo-ohio

Franchise Deep Dive: The UPS Store Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit, and Data

franchise-deep-dive-the-ups-store-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Top Franchise Leaders: José Cil, CEO of Restaurant Brands International

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS