About Us
Overview
Denny's is America's diner. For over 60 years, Denny’s has been a place where people can come in, sit down and connect with one another over great food. It’s a place that was founded on togetherness, where you can have “the usual” or try something new. We’re always open and we’re always serving your favorites. So come in, leave your troubles at the door and enjoy some great food. See you at Denny’s.
Our History
Harold Butler and Richard Jezak opened a donut stand in 1953 and called it Danny’s Donuts. Butler’s stated promise was “To serve the best cup of coffee, make the best donuts, give the best service, offer the best value and stay open 24 hours a day.” Today that donut stand is a restaurant chain with a slightly different name, over 1,700 locations and a proven reputation for keeping Mr. Butler’s original promise.
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Harold Butler and Richard Jezak open Danny’s Donuts in Lakewood, CA.
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After Jezak’s departure from the now 6-store chain, Butler created and changed the concept a year later from a donut shop to a coffee shop with store #8. Danny’s Donuts is renamed Danny’s Coffee Shops and changes its operation to 24 hours.
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To avoid confusion with LA restaurant, Coffee Dan’s, Butler changes the name from Danny’s Coffee Shops to Denny’s Coffee Shops.
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Denny’s Coffee Shops becomes Denny’s. And the rest is history.
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Denny’s goes international, opening its first restaurant in Acapulco, Mexico.
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Denny’s Stock begins Trading on NYSE under “DEN.”
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The Grand Slam® is introduced in Atlanta as a nod to homerun slugger, Hank Aaron.
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Big milestone: There are now 1,000 Denny’s across the country.
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Denny’s headquarters moves from Irvine, California to downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina.
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Denny’s becomes the largest corporate sponsor of the national charity Save the Children®.
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Fortune Magazine ranks Denny’s #1 on the list of “America’s 50 Best Companies for Minorities.”
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Denny’s parent company, Advantica Restaurant Group, Inc., is renamed Denny’s Corporation to reflect the one brand focus.
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Black Enterprise magazine ranks Denny’s at the top of its list of “Best 40 Companies for Diversity” in July 2006.
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Two million free Grand Slams® are served on the Tuesday after Super Bowl XLIII.
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Added 136 new units, the highest number of domestic opening in history, including 100 Flying J/Pilot Travel Center Conversion sites and 6 university locations.
The $2 $4 $6 $8 Value Menu® make its national debut.
Denny’s opens its 1,600th restaurant in September.
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Happy 60th Anniversary to Denny’s.
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Denny’s launches its online ordering platform Denny’s On Demand. Making the world your diner, 24/7.