PRAIRIE DU SAC, WIS. — Enrique “Rick” Silva has been named chief executive officer at Culver Franchising System LLC, owner of the Culver’s quick-service restaurant chain.

He joins the ButterBurger and frozen custard chain from Checkers & Rally’s Restaurants, Inc., where he was CEO for 13 years. Before that he held several leadership roles at Burger King Corp., including president of the Latin America region, senior vice president of US operations and senior vice president of franchise operations for the East Zone and Canada.

In his new role, Mr. Silva will lead the company’s system of nearly 800 restaurants and nearly 500 owner-operators. He succeeds Joe Kross, who retired at the end of 2020 after leading Culver’s for 23 years.

“As we searched for Culver's next leader, we were looking for several key characteristics — a true culture and values fit, the ability to support and expand the successful growth of our current and future franchisees and a drive to genuinely deliver on our Culver's Mission: We genuinely care, so every guest who chooses Culver's leaves happy,” said Craig Culver, co-founder of Culver’s. “We are confident that Rick can do all three and are excited to see what he brings to further accelerate Culver's.”