Burger King, the nation's No. 2 hamburger chain, said Tuesday that Russ Klein will resign from his position as president of global marketing strategy and innovation, effective Dec. 15.

The company said Klein is stepping down for personal reasons.

Peter Robinson, former president of Burger King's Europe, Middle East and Africa business segment, will oversee global marketing on an interim basis while the company searches for a permanent successor.

Burger King Chairman and CEO John W. Chidsey said in a statement that Klein's executive and marketing leadership was "a key factor in the company delivering six consecutive years of positive comparable sales through fiscal 2009."

Shares of Burger King Holdings Inc. fell 21 cents to close earlier at $17.29.