WASHINGTON Weeks after losing a bruising confirmation battle in Washington, Andy Puzder is leaving his job at the helm of the Hardees and Carls Jr. burger chains.

President Donald Trump picked Puzder to be the next labor secretary, but the CEO withdrew himself from consideration in February under the weight of surprisingly wide-ranging controversies. It seems he wont be returning to the world of fast food after all.

On Tuesday, CKE Restaurants, the parent company to Hardees and Carls Jr., announced that Puzder, 66, would be replaced by Jason Marker , the president of fried chicken chain KFC, a division of Yum Brands.

In a statement issued by CKE, Puzder was clear that his stepping down had nothing to do with his failed bid for labor secretary and the scrutiny that came with it. I expressed my desire to have CKE plan for succession approximately a year ago, Puzder said.