Bernardo Hees to be Appointed Chief Executive Officer of Burger King Holdings, Inc. Following Completion of Acquisition by 3G Capital

3G Capital today announced plans to appoint Bernardo Hees as Chief Executive Officer of Burger King Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BKC) upon completion of its pending acquisition of Burger King.

Mr. Hees was most recently Chief Executive Officer of America Latina Logistica (ALL), Latin America’s largest railroad and logistics company, since January 2005 and served on its Board of Directors.  He had served as Chief Operating Officer since November 2003.  

Alex Behring, Managing Partner at 3G Capital said, “Bernardo is an experienced executive with an impressive track record of enhancing performance at ALL where he managed a team that drove strong gains in both revenues and profitability.  I know he will be an excellent steward of the BURGER KING® brand as we look to take the BURGER KING® experience to the next level for guests in the U.S. and worldwide.”

Mr. Hees said, “Burger King is a preeminent company with a truly unique global brand and a strong product offering going back decades, such as the world-renowned Whopper® sandwich.  I’m thrilled at the opportunity to lead the company, working alongside John, Alex and the broad pool of talent already at the company.  I look forward to joining the team and working in close partnership with the company’s senior management, employees and franchisee network to strengthen the business, including expanding internationally as well as introducing new menu items.”

As previously announced, Burger King’s current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, John Chidsey, will remain in his current capacity until the close of the transaction, at which time he will assume a newly created position of Co-Chairman of the Board.  Upon closing of the transaction, Alex Behring, Managing Partner of 3G Capital, will be appointed Co-Chairman of the Board, alongside Mr. Chidsey.  The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this calendar year.

On September 2, 2010, 3G Capital and Burger King announced a definitive merger agreement under which affiliates of 3G Capital would acquire all of the stock of Burger King for $24.00 per share, or $4.0 billion in the aggregate, including the assumption of Burger King’s outstanding debt.

Bernardo Hees joined 3G Capital as a Partner in July 2010.  Previously, he was Chief Executive Officer of America Latina Logistica (ALL), Latin America’s largest railroad and logistics company, since January 2005 and served on its Board of Directors.  He had served as Chief Operating Officer at the company since November 2003.  

Mr. Hees joined ALL in 1998 as a Logistics Analyst, subsequently holding various positions including Operational Planning Manager, Chief Financial Officer and Commercial Officer, and in 2004, held the position of Director-Superintendent.

He holds an MBA from the University of Warwick in England and an OPM from Harvard Business School.

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