NEW YORK (AP) — Burger King warned Thursday that sales are expected to drop 1.5 percent in the first quarter but noted that the figure turned positive toward the end of the period as it retooled its strategy to focus on value.

The Miami-based chain also announced a succession plan that will take effect once CEO Bernardo Hees moves on to take the helm at H.J. Heinz Co. later this year. The fast-food chain said Chief Financial Officer Daniel Schwartz, who is 32, will take over for Hees and named him chief operating officer in the meantime.