ATLANTA — Church’s Chicken, and its international sister brands Texas Chicken and Church’s Texas Chicken, has hired Eric Stein as its International R&D chef.
Most recently serving as Culinary Innovation manager for Buffalo Wild Wings, Stein brings a passion for emerging trends in flavour and creating crave-worthy new menu concepts.
“I am beyond thrilled to serve the brand through culinary innovation and new product development,” says Stein. “The legacy of brand integrity and successful leadership made joining Church’s a great option for me and I look forward to contributing both creatively and in mentorship for the team.”
Prior to his position with Buffalo Wild Wings, Stein served as executive chef, Menu Administration for GateGourmet, executing 200-million first-class, premium and business-class in-flight meals delivered from 100 flight kitchens in more than 25 countries. His culinary experience also includes work at Newly Weds Foods, Johnson & Wales University and The Greenbrier Hotel and Spa.
In his new position, Stein will leverage his culinary creativity to further operations in brand-directed new product development. His role will include ideation and recipe development, consumer validation, as well as working closely with franchisees to successfully launch localized new menu products. He will report to Mitch Langston, senior director, International Marketing for the brand.
“Eric’s high-level culinary insight and expertise is a valuable addition to the Church’s family,” says Langston. “His diverse experience developing core-menu concepts and brand-strategy initiatives, as well as demonstrated capabilities in leadership positions, will inform his new role, while helping us grow and evolve our international leadership in bold, innovative tastes that can only be found at Texas Chicken and Church’s Texas Chicken.”
