Bower named head of Popeyes U.S. operations

Ralph Bower, chief operations officer of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen's U.S. operations, has been named the company's new president.

Bower, who became COO of Atlanta-based Popeyes in February 2008, formerly worked for rival chicken chain KFC. While there, he was the company's operations leader responsible for restaurants in the western U.S. He also led KFC's operations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

He began his restaurant career working for Team Washington, a Domino's pizza franchise organization, where he was a regional director.

Bower, who served as a Navy officer, has a bachelor's degree from the U.S. Naval Academy and a master's of business administration degree from Emory University.

"Ralph is ideally suited to lead our U.S. Popeyes system," said Cheryl Bachelder, chief executive officer of AFC Enterprises, which owns Popeyes. "He has done an outstanding job as our U.S. Chief Operating Officer and I am confident that he will bring the same enthusiasm and innovative thinking to his new role as President – U.S. He brings a wealth of strategic and operational experience, a broad skill set and a truly impressive track record of accomplishment."

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