Church's Chicken, the global quick service restaurant chain, announced that Craig Prusher has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of the Company. Prusher, who has been with Church's Chicken since 2012, has served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary where he led a team of top-performing lawyers and other legal professionals in helping grow the brand, mitigate risk and provide business-oriented legal solutions, globally. In his expanded role, Prusher will continue to oversee the management of all domestic and international franchise and corporate legal affairs, as well as leading community, regulatory and industry relations.

With over 25 years of corporate legal, franchising and governmental affairs experience in the quick-service restaurant chain industry, Prusher has been instrumental in helping Church's sales exceed $1 billion, as well as overseeing its continued domestic and international expansion to over 1,650 locations – along with its sister brand Texas Chicken® – in 25 countries and international territories.

"I'm thrilled to take on additional responsibilities to help drive Church's strategic vision of bringing delicious, quick, complete and wholesome meals to expanded U.S. and global markets," said Prusher. "I'm also honored to lead a team of the best legal talent in the industry to help guide our brands through this unprecedented and exciting time of growth and global expansion."

Prior to joining Church's Chicken, Prusher served as Vice President, Assistant General Counsel at Burger King Corporation where he was responsible for all legal issues in franchising, real estate and government affairs for more than 8,000 Burger King Restaurants in North and South America. Prusher also currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Council of Chain Restaurants where he recently received its 2016 Grassroots Award for his work to inspire political involvement by franchisees and corporate executives.

"Craig has been an instrumental part of Church's growth and success during his tenure," said Joseph Christina, CEO of Church's Chicken. "His strong business and financial acumen has been of immense value and I have confidence that under Craig's expanded leadership, and with the benefit of his strategic lawyering, our company will continue to deliver on its promise to our guests and stakeholders."