The quick-service restaurant chain Church’s Texas Chicken has hired a new VP of purchasing to lead its sourcing and purchasing operations.
Stepping into the role is Will Cash, who has served in supply chain and leadership roles at other food service chains, including Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Krispy Kreme and Pinkbox Doughnuts, as well as the private jet operator flyExclusive.
At Church’s, Cash will oversee the sourcing of ingredients, equipment, raw materials as the chain grows its operations, the company said. He reports to Randy Lawrence, Church’s SVP of supply and quality assurance, and is set to begin this week with the company.
The private equity-owned Church’s was acquired most recently by High Bluff Capital Partners in 2021. The firm also owns Quiznos and Taco Del Mar.
The chain says it currently has more than 1,500 locations and makes more than $1 billion in revenue annually.
In past years, the company — which relies on franchisees to run many of its restaurants — has worked to centralize its purchasing and spare its suppliers the uncertainty of holding excess inventory if forecasting on promotion sales was off.
Restaurant procurement has been made more challenging in recent years because of supply chain challenges, including spikes in prices in vegetables, wheat, eggs and other commodities.
In a statement, Cash acknowledged current supply chain challenges and the “overall pace of innovation” in the quick-service restaurant industry. CEO Joe Guith praised Cash for possessing “a variety of skills and vast industry knowledge.”
