Restaurants Brands New Zealand Limited (RBD) has appointed the former CEO of its New Zealand operations, Arif Khan, as the company’s global COO, effective this week.
Restaurant Brands is a corporate franchisee specialising in handling multi-site branded food retail chains. It operates KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Carl’s Jr brands in New Zealand, the KFC and Taco Bell brands in Australia and California, and the Taco Bell and Pizza Hut brands in Hawaii and Guam.
The company describes Khan as a “strategic and commercially-focused people leader” with an extensive history in managing national and international businesses. His strong business acumen, it added, successfully steered the New Zealand operations through the Covid-19 pandemic.
Having spent several years at RBD earlier in his career, Arif returned to the company in 2018 as CEO to lead the New Zealand operations. Under his leadership the New Zealand operations have continued to grow rapidly, including the launch of Taco Bell into New Zealand in 2019 and its subsequent growth to 14 locations across the country, including the turnaround of Pizza Hut and Carl’s Jr. brands in New Zealand. RBD currently has over 250 locations across the New Zealand and employs close to 4000 people.
“We wish to congratulate Arif for his promotion and are thrilled to welcome Julio to RBD,” said José Parés, Chairman of the Board.
“We look forward to collaborating with them and the rest of the team as we continue on the path to consolidating our presence in the QSR market in New Zealand, Australia, California, and Hawaii. These are exciting times for RBD, and I am certain their combined experience will be a great asset.”
In addition, CPA Julio Valdés has been appointed Group Chief Financial Officer, effective June 1st, 2023, taking over for Grant Ellis whose retirement is scheduled for May 31st, 2023.
Julio Valdés, who has more than 30 years’ experience in accounting, auditing, merger, divestitures, and taxes, has provided a diversity of services primarily to companies in the consumer products, power & utilities, and manufacturing sectors advising both Mexican and international companies and supporting their comprehensive development.
