LOUISVILLE, KY. — Yum! Brands Inc. recently announced the promotion of Scott Mezvinsky to KFC Division chief executive officer starting on March 1. 

He will report to David Gibbs, the Yum! Brands CEO. Mezvinsky has worked for the company for 20 years and is president of Taco Bell North America and International. Sabir Sami currently holds the KFC CEO position but will be stepping down by the end of February.

In the new role, Mezvinsky will oversee global responsibility for brand strategy and KFC performance.

“Scott is one of Yum! Brands’ most respected leaders, with more than 20 years of experience with the company in areas including operations, strategy, finance and development and a strong track record of delivering impactful results,” Gibbs said. “In his most recent role as president of Taco Bell North America and International, Scott has helped implement Taco Bell’s well-known bold and exciting ideas and ensured that global restaurant teams and customers have an industry-leading experience. He is a natural choice to lead KFC’s long-term global growth strategies, working in close partnership with our franchisees.”

Before his promotion and recent role, Mezvinsky worked as Taco Bell’s global chief strategy and financial officer. He worked on finance, development and strategy functions to help reach the company’s goal for a $20 billion brand. 

Other roles Mezvinsky held within Yum! Brands include the general manager of KFC Iberia. He also held roles in the KFC Latin America and Caribbean market, including chief development officer and vice president of development and operations. 

“It is a tremendous honor to lead an iconic brand such as KFC and have the opportunity to work with talented, dedicated leaders and franchise partners around the world,” Mezvinsky said. “There aren’t many brands that are as well loved and well known as KFC, and I am very excited to play a role in continuing to strengthen and accelerate the growth of this legendary brand in virtually every corner of the world.”

Sami was the KFC Division’s CEO since Jan. 2022 and held an executive position with Yum! Brands since 2009, including KFC Division chief operating officer and managing director of KFC Asia, managing director for the KFC Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan and Turkey markets, and GM of Yum! Canada and GM of the KFC Canada and Turkey businesses.

“I would like to thank Sabir for his years of service and dedication to Yum! Brands and KFC, and the meaningful impact he has had on our business,” Gibbs said. “He is a highly respected leader in our company and the industry whose focus on strategic brand building and operations has helped elevate the KFC brand around the world. We wish him well as he enjoys this new phase of life with his family.”