Church’s Chicken Announces Promotion of Russ Sumrall to SVP, International Strategic Development May 20, 2021 · · Texas Chicken and Russ Sumrall to SVP, International Strategic Development. The promotion is part of Church’s aggressive development plans to double their presence across APAC, EMEA, and the Americas, with strengthened operations and an exciting new image. In his previous role as VP, International Development & Franchisee Profitability, Russ Sumrall negotiated deals to launch Texas Chicken into seven countries in East Africa, Cambodia, and Qatar. In addition, he executed numerous new development agreements in Canada, growing Church’s Texas Chicken restaurants across many provinces. Sumrall also supported existing franchisees, by signing new business agreements to add new restaurants with existing franchises in Mexico, Thailand, Singapore, and the Middle East. He has built a high-performing team, which allowed the company to open a record 72 new restaurants during a very challenging 2020.