Dave Shula Returns as President of Shula's Restaurant Group
Dave Shula rejoins Shula's Restaurant Group as president, leading growth into Palm Beach Gardens and a 2027 Thomasville, Georgia expansion.
Sep 23, 2026
Dave Shula rejoins Shula's Restaurant Group as president, leading growth into Palm Beach Gardens and a 2027 Thomasville, Georgia expansion.
Sep 23, 2026
McDonald's commits $8.5 billion through 2036 to modernize restaurants, boost cash flow by $100,000 per store, and grow chicken and beverage sales.
Sep 23, 2026
WKS Restaurant Group promotes Jay Spongberg to president and COO after he helped grow the company from 65 to 382 restaurants over 16 years.
Sep 23, 2026
Smokey Mo's BBQ names Von Dawson, a Dine Brands veteran, as VP of Franchise Development to lead its Texas expansion strategy.
Sep 23, 2026
Meritage Hospitality's Chapter 11 filing pulls 5% of Wendy's U.S. stores into bankruptcy, exposing cracks in franchising's bigger-is-safer bet.
Sep 21, 2026
Jack in the Box names Rachel Ruggeri to its board as Michael Murphy retires, amid a CEO transition and deal with investor GreenWood.
Sep 21, 2026
Improve restaurant Google Maps rankings by optimizing your business profile, selecting accurate categories, gathering reviews, adding photos, and strengthening local relevance signals.
Sep 21, 2026
Restaurant inventory tracking helps owners monitor stock, control food costs, reduce waste, improve purchasing, and make informed operational decisions.
Sep 21, 2026
Restaurant owners can significantly reduce restaurant costs by leveraging technology across inventory, labor, procurement, forecasting, and administrative operations for better profit margins.
Sep 18, 2026
Understand how to forecast restaurant revenue and expenses with methods for sales projection, cost scaling, fixed-cost planning, and risk buffering.
Sep 18, 2026
Unlock Exclusive Access To Webinars, Events, And The Latest News For Free!
Discover how Church’s Texas Chicken is set to achieve significant growth under the leadership of CEO Roland Gonzalez. Learn about the operational strategies, technology initiatives, and franchise relationships propelling the brand towards $2 billion in systemwide sales.

Roland Gonzalez's tenure as CEO has emphasized operational efficiency as a key driver of Church’s Texas Chicken's growth. By leveraging the brand's agility despite being a 72-year-old establishment, Gonzalez has successfully implemented technology initiatives to streamline operations and enhance guest experience. Lowering operational complexity has allowed the brand to introduce innovations seamlessly, leading to positive traffic trends and increased throughput during peak times.

The implementation of advanced technology initiatives, such as artificial intelligence in guest experience platforms, has revolutionized operations at Church’s Texas Chicken. By utilizing AI capabilities for targeted problem-solving and faster response to customer feedback, the brand has enhanced its service quality and efficiency. Product-level systems enhanced by AI ensure consistent quality in food preparation, contributing to improved customer satisfaction.
Gonzalez's focus on franchisee relationships has been a pivotal aspect of the brand's transformation. Through active listening, effective communication, and transparency on profitability goals, Church’s Texas Chicken has significantly enhanced franchisee satisfaction and engagement. The emphasis on collaboration and trust has led to increased franchise profitability, evidenced by a notable 35% uplift compared to previous years.

Balancing existing and new franchisee partnerships, Church’s Texas Chicken has accelerated its growth trajectory. The brand's culture of accountability and recognition has fostered a meritocratic environment, driving operational excellence and guest experience improvements. By incentivizing franchisee investments through profitability enhancements, the brand has successfully executed remodel strategies that yield substantial sales increases.

The success of chicken chains internationally can be attributed to the significant demand for chicken products in underserved markets. Church’s Texas Chicken's strategic market entries, such as in Qatar's high-end real estate locations, have differentiated the brand and established a strong presence. International customers appreciate the quality offered and are willing to pay premium prices, distinct from the value-focused approach in the U.S.
Under Gonzalez's leadership, Church’s Texas Chicken has redefined its value proposition by offering competitive price points and enticing meal deals. By combining affordability with quality and upselling strategies, the brand has increased customer spend per visit. Embracing familial dining trends, the introduction of family meal options has further diversified the brand's offerings, attracting a broader customer base.
Looking ahead, Church’s Texas Chicken aims to sustain growth by prioritizing value, innovation, and expansion into new markets. Gonzalez envisions a future where the brand solidifies its position as a top-performing chain in the U.S. while doubling international presence. By continuing to strengthen operational efficiency, guest experience, and digital capabilities, Church’s Texas Chicken is poised to surpass its $2 billion sales target and emerge as an industry leader.