Former KFC boss Paula MacKenzie named chief executive of PizzaExpress

Former KFC boss Paula MacKenzie is to take over as chief executive of PizzaExpress next month.

MacKenzie will join the restaurant chain on 6 June, taking the role vacated by David Campbell who stepped down in October 2021.

PizzaExpress' managing director Zoe Bowley and chief business officer Jo Bennett have been jointly leading the business during the interim period.

MacKenzie has over 20 years’ experience in the food and drink businesses and has worked for Diageo and Innocent. She most recently led KFC UK & Ireland as managing director and oversaw the growth of its delivery and e-commerce arm, before leaving the chicken chain in March this year.

At PizzaExpress she will lead a team of 10,000 people and work to deliver the next stage of growth for the business, which the company said would include growing its loyalty app and refurbishing restaurants.

Allan Leighton, chairman of PizzaExpress, said: “Paula is joining at an exciting time for PizzaExpress and will work with our leadership team to drive priorities for growth, including an increased customer focus led by rapid digital transformation.”

Mackenzie said: “As someone who thrives on bringing brands to life, I’m thrilled to be working with Allan and the whole team at PizzaExpress leading this brand and business through its next chapter of growth. I cannot wait to get started and look forward to personally welcoming customers into our restaurants at a time where we are all reconnecting with the magic of eating out.”

PizzaExpress was founded in London’s Soho in 1965 and now has over 360 restaurants in the UK and Ireland, and 450 in total worldwide.

*Image: Willy Barton / Shutterstock *