Restaurant companies are increasingly turning to experienced operators to navigate a challenging business environment, and Denny’s has made its latest leadership move with that objective in mind.
Denny’s has appointed longtime Cracker Barrel Old Country Store executive Aaron Howard as its new Chief Operating Officer.
Howard has decades of experience in operating leadership across some of the restaurant industry’s most recognized brands, such as CKE Restaurants, Cracker Barrel and RGS, parent company of O’Charley’s and 99 Restaurants. Here he has led field operations, built accountable teams, supported operators and improved the daily execution that drives guest satisfaction, repeat visits, stronger unit economics and sustainable performance.
Chris Bode, President and Chief Executive Officer of Denny’s said in the press release, “Aaron is an operator, understands how performance is created in the field, inside restaurants and through teams that are clear, supported and accountable. His focus will be where performance is won or lost: in the restaurants, with operators and teams, and in the guest experience that brings people back. As we continue to strengthen value, relevance, profitable traffic and restaurant-level profitability, Aaron’s leadership will be critical to how we raise execution across the franchise system.”
As COO, the executive will oversee restaurant operations, guest experience initiatives, workforce performance, and operational strategy across the Denny’s system.
