WE LOVE TO FEED PEOPLE
For over 65 years, Denny’s has been a welcoming place where people can connect over great food. We’re always open, always serving your favorites, and we’re proud to be America's diner.
THAT GUIDE US
GUESTS FIRST
They’re more than just customers or consumers. They’re our guests, and we invite them into our homes with open arms. They’re the very reason why we’re in business, and we put them at the center of everything we do.
THE POWER OF WE
Our Denny's family is our most important asset. We trust, support and respect each other and work together for the greater good. We recognize the contributions of all.
PROUD OF OUR HERITAGE
We are the classic American diner and proud of everything that means. Since 1953, we've served quality food and healthy portions at a fair price. No matter where we are, our light is always on, inviting guests around the world into a place where everyone is welcome.
HUNGRY TO WIN
At Denny’s, we’re constantly looking ahead. We’re always moving, striving for more, hungry for greatness. We’re open to fresh, innovative thinking and believe we’ll succeed through teamwork, accountability and pushing the boundaries of ourselves and our Brand.
EMBRACE OPENNESS
"Open" means so much more than just being open 24/7. It means being open to all people, appetites and budgets. It says we're open-minded and open to new ideas. Honest, warm and inviting. "Open" is the way we think and act every hour of every day.
Since 1953
Our History
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1953
Harold Butler and Richard Jezak open Danny’s Donuts in Lakewood, CA.
1956
After Jezak’s departure, Butler changed the donut shop concept to a coffee shop with store #8. Danny’s Donuts is renamed Danny’s Coffee Shops, now open 24 hours.
1959
To avoid confusion with another LA restaurant, Coffee Dan’s, Butler changes the name from Danny’s Coffee Shops to Denny’s Coffee Shops.
1961
Denny’s Coffee Shops becomes Denny’s. And the rest is history.
1967
Denny’s goes international, opening its first restaurant in Acapulco, Mexico.
1968
Denny’s Stock begins Trading on NYSE under “DEN.”
1977
The Grand Slam® is introduced in Atlanta as a nod to homerun slugger, Hank Aaron.
1981
Denny's reaches a big milestone by opening its 1,000th location.
1991
Denny’s headquarters moves from Irvine, California to downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina.
1994
Denny’s becomes the largest corporate sponsor of the national charity Save the Children®.
2000
Fortune Magazine ranks Denny’s #1 on the list of “America’s 50 Best Companies for Minorities.”
2002
Denny’s parent company, Advantica Restaurant Group, Inc., is renamed Denny’s Corporation to reflect the one brand focus.
2006
Black Enterprise magazine ranks Denny’s at the top of its list of “Best 40 Companies for Diversity” in July 2006.
2008
Two million free Grand Slams® are served on the Tuesday after Super Bowl XLIII.
2010
The $2 $4 $6 $8 Value Menu® makes its debut, while Denny's opens its 1,600th restaurant by expanding domestically to Travel Centers and university locations.
2013
Denny’s celebrates its 60th anniversary.
2018
Denny’s announces the launch of the Mobile Relief Diner, a 53-foot custom-built kitchen ready to help feed those in need.
2019
With 89% of locations remodeled, Denny's launches the Heritage 2.0 Remodel Program to further enhance the dining experience and to set the stage for future revitalization.
2020
Denny's partners with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and begins donating a portion of kids entrée sales to fight childhood cancer.
2021
Denny’s launches two virtual brands, The Burger Den and The Meltdown.
Dawn Lafreeda
Dawn Lafreeda started her career as a Denny's waitress at age 16 and eventually bought her first Denny's restaurant at age 23. Today, Dawn is one of the largest single-owner franchisees with more than 80 Denny's locations that employ 3,000 people across the country.
Leadership Team
Kelli F. Valade
Chief Executive Officer
Kelli F. Valade
Kelli Valade is Chief Executive Officer of Denny's Corporation. She joined Denny's in June 2022 and has spent more than 30 years in the restaurant industry as a purpose-driven leader with an uncompromising dedication to serving guests and her teams. Prior to joining Denny's, Kelli served as CEO of Red Lobster and CEO of Black Box Intelligence. She also spent several years at Brinker International where she held various management positions at Chili’s including Brand President, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Human Resources. Kelli serves on the Board of Directors for the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation (NRAEF) and Women's Foodservice Forum (WFF).
John W. Dillon
President, Denny's Inc.
John W. Dillon
John Dillon is President of Denny’s Inc. and is responsible for developing brand strategies, fostering collaborative synergies with Denny’s dedicated franchisees, and leading marketing, operations, restaurant finance and social impact for the iconic brand. Before being named President of Denny’s Inc. in 2022, John was Denny’s Chief Brand Officer. Prior to joining Denny’s, John held leadership roles at Yum! Brands/Pizza Hut and served as Vice President of Marketing for the National Basketball Association’s Houston Rockets. John holds a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University where he also serves on the Board of Directors for the Hamkamer Business School.
David P. Schmidt
President, Keke’s, Inc.
David P. Schmidt
David Schmidt is President of Keke’s Breakfast Café. He joined Denny’s Corporation in September 2022 and is a 30-year veteran who brings to Keke’s a proven track record of operations, marketing, finance, training and HR leadership. Prior to Keke’s, David worked as CFO of Red Lobster. He also worked for Bloomin’ Brands where he held various leadership roles throughout his tenure including Group Vice President and CFO of Bloomin’ Brand’s Casual Dining. He also served as President of Bonefish Grill during which he was responsible for developing and implementing the long-term growth strategy of a 200-unit polished casual concept. David holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN.
Stephen C. Dunn
Executive Vice President, Chief Global Development Officer
Stephen C. Dunn
Stephen Dunn is Executive Vice President and Chief Global Development Officer for Denny's Corporation and is responsible for all aspects of global business development, franchise recruiting and administration, real estate, design, and construction. He joined Denny's in 2004, bringing significant experience in franchising and restaurant development. Prior to joining Denny's, Dunn held executive-level positions with Church's Chicken, El Pollo Loco, Mr. Gatti's, and TCBY. He has a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Arkansas and was an Infantry Officer in the United States Army. He is a certified Franchise Executive with the International Franchise Association Educational Foundation.
Michael L. Furlow
Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer
Michael L. Furlow
Michael Furlow is Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Denny's Corporation and is responsible for all information technology functions, including technical strategy and alignment with business objectives, technical support and service, data platforms, and program management office. He joined Denny's in April 2017, bringing significant experience in IT leadership specific to the restaurant industry. Prior to joining Denny's, Furlow held similar roles with other leading brands, most recently, CIO for Red Robin. He has bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems from Delta State University.
Gail Sharps Myers
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, Chief People Officer and Secretary
Gail Sharps Myers
Gail Sharps Myers is Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, Chief People Officer and Secretary for Denny's Corporation and is responsible for overseeing all legal functions including real estate, labor and employment law, compliance, and all employee-related initiatives for the company. Before joining Denny's in June 2020, Myers worked as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary at American Tire Distributors. Prior to that role, she worked as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary at Snyder's-Lance, Inc., as well as Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Chief Compliance Counsel at US Foods, both leaders in the food industry. Myers has a track record of improving and reimagining legal strategy while promoting open communication and transparency with Boards. She received her Doctor of Jurisprudence from The Washington College of Law at The American University, her MBA from Arizona State University's W. P. Carey School of Business, and her BA in Political Science at Howard University.
Robert P. Verostek
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Robert P. Verostek
Robert Verostek serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Denny's Corporation. Verostek is a visionary leader with responsibility for guiding the company's short- and long-term financial strategy and identifying paths for future growth. He joined Denny's in 1999 and has a proven track record of improving profitability, optimizing debt, and delivering shareholder value. Prior to Denny's, Verostek held various accounting roles for Insignia Financial Group and Aimco. He holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from Clemson University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Jay C. Gilmore
Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller
Jay C. Gilmore
Jay Gilmore is Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller for Denny's Corporation and is responsible for the company's accounting, financial reporting and tax functions as well as procurement and risk management finance. He joined Denny's in February 1999. Prior to joining Denny's, Gilmore was a Senior Manager with KPMG LLP. He has a bachelor's degree in Accounting from Wofford College and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Sherri R. Landry
Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer
Alex D. Williams
Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer
Brian Aga
Vice President, Franchise Operations
Jim Batchler-Smith
Vice President, Information Technology
Mark S. Burgess
Vice President, Real Estate and Business Development
David W. Coltrin
Vice President, Guest Experience and Marketing Technology
Tyrone P. Counts
Vice President, Franchise Operations
George S. Crumpton
Vice President, Procurement and Distribution
Laurie R. Curtis
Vice President, Communications & Brand Integration
Erik P. Jensen
Vice President, Brand Engagement
April L. Kelly-Drummond
Vice President, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Sharon Lykins
Vice President, Product Development
Fasika Melaku-Peterson
Vice President, Human Resources & Chief Learning Officer
Ross B. Nell
Vice President, Tax and Treasurer
Curtis L. Nichols, Jr.
Vice President, Investor Relations and Financial Planning & Analysis
Scott F. Smalley
Vice President, Human Resources
Thomas M. Starnes
Vice President, Brand Protection, Quality and Chief Food Safety Officer
Ramon Torres
Vice President, Operations Services
THE DENNY’S Board
Brenda J. Lauderback
Board Chair; Retired; Former President of Wholesale and Retail Group of Nine West Group, Inc.
Bernadette S. Aulestia
Former Chief Revenue & Growth Officer, Callisto Media
Olu Beck
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, The Beck Group NJ
Gregg R. Dedrick
Co-Founder, David Novak Leadership
José M. Gutiérrez
Retired; President and Chief Executive Officer, AT&T Southwestern Bell
John C. Miller
Retired; Chief Executive Officer, Denny's Corporation
Kelli F. Valade
Chief Executive Officer, Denny’s Corporation
Laysha Ward
Executive Vice President and Chief External Engagement Officer, Target Corporation
Social Responsibility
As America's Diner, we love to feed people's bodies, minds and souls. We bring joy and comfort in many ways, with the common thread being our dedication to giving back to the communities in which we serve.
Diversity
By fostering a culture of openness, equity and inclusion, Denny's is proud to make diversity a top priority. That includes investing in team members, partners and suppliers from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as providing educational resources and scholarships to underserved and diverse students and communities.
Franchising
