Sabir Sami an IBA graduate propels to become CEO at KFC Global

LOUISVILLE, Today marked the development of Sabir Sami, 54, to become KFC Division Chief Executive Officer, revealed Yum! Brands Chief Executive Officer David Gibbs, effective January 1, 2022. Sami, a 12-year pro of the Company, who presently works as KFC Division Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of KFC Asia, will take over Tony Lowings, who is going down as CEO at the end of 2021 his retirement in early 2022. 

In this role, Sami will consider global responsibility for driving the brand program and performance of KFC.

“Sabir is an exceptional leader with deep expertise and knowledge of our business and has a strong, proven track record of growing KFC’s physical and brand presence in markets around the world,” said Gibbs. “As a highly-respected strategic brand builder, operations expert, and heart-led leader, Sabir is a natural choice to continue successfully executing KFC’s long-term global growth strategies in close partnership with our franchisees and further elevate KFC as a relevant, easy and distinctive (R.E.D.) brand.”

Besides overseeing operational strategy for all KFC markets, Sami dually works as Managing Director of KFC Asia, a high-growth sector for the brand stewarding 17 markets, excluding China, and comprising over 15 percent of all KFC Division eateries. Preceding this, Sami was Managing Director for the Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan, and Turkey markets, where he helped to grow the business and forming KFC as one of the region’s most R.E.D. brands. 

Sami also worked as General Manager for the KFC Canada and Turkey businesses. Sami helped in various leadership roles at Procter & Gamble, the Coca-Cola Company, and Reckitt Benckiser.

“I’m incredibly privileged and excited to continue working with our talented and dedicated KFC leaders and amazing franchise partners around the world to keep strengthening and speeding up the development of our powerful, iconic brand,” said Sami. “KFC is uniquely positioned around the world as a well-loved, well-trusted brand with millions of fans – the future is certainly bright.”

Dyke Shipp, 55, who presently works as KFC Division Chief Development Officer and Chief People Officer, is suggesting to be promoted to KFC Division President, announcing to Sami, effective January 1, 2022. 

Shipp carries over 30 years of understanding with the Company and expertise, fortunately starting KFC’s development and people and culture approaches. In this part, Shipp will associate with Sami on KFC’s global people and growth agenda and reinforce the General Managers of its businesses in the Americas, including Canada, the U.S., and Latin America, and the Caribbean.

“Dyke brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and strategic acumen to this role, along with a commitment to nurturing an inclusive, high-performing culture,” said Sami. “Dyke is a seasoned leader with a sound track record of delivering impactful results. I look forward to partnering with Dyke as we work toward the next chapter of growth for KFC.”

KFC is the global leader in the chicken category and Yum!’s largest brand with over 25,000 restaurants in over 145 countries and territories and more than $26 billion in system sales as of year-end 2020. KFC’s unit business, sustained by strong franchise partners leads to, on average, a new KFC restaurant starting every six hours across the world. Besides new unit development, the KFC Division scored nearly $4 billion in system sales from digital channels last year to grow the KFC digital business to about $10 billion.

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