IRVINE, CALIF. — Brian Niccol will be promoted to chief executive officer of the Taco Bell Corp., a business unit of Yum! Brands, Inc., Jan. 1, 2015. Mr. Niccol is currently president of Taco Bell U.S. and will succeed former c.e.o. Greg Creed, who will become c.e.o. of Yum! Brands on Jan. 1.

Mr. Niccol will be responsible for overall brand strategy and performance of the business in the United States and internationally, including implementing the company’s strategy of doubling system sales by 2022 and opening 2,000 new restaurants.

Prior to joining Taco Bell, he was general manager for Pizza Hut USA, and held several brand management positions at Procter & Gamble.