Chicken QSR chain brings former Cosi executive into its coop to fill leadership role.

Jim Hyatt, a 35-year veteran of the restaurant industry, was named chief executive officer of Church's Chicken, a quick service chain. Hyatt succeeds Mel Deane, who served as Church's CEO since December 2009.

Hyatt most recently served as president and CEO of Così, Inc., a fast-casual dining company, where he has worked since 2007. Prior to joining Cosi, Hyatt spent 16 years as an executive and franchise owner at Burger King Holdings, including serving as executive vice president and global chief operations officer. Hyatt was recruited to Burger King corporate after having been one of the chain's franchisees in the Atlanta market for 11 years. He also served as Director of Operations at Hardee's Restaurants from 1986 to 1990.