True Food Kitchen names first marketing chiefTrue Food Kitchen names first marketing chief

True Food Kitchen has promoted Shannon Keller to serve as the brand’s first chief marketing officer, the company said late Monday.

Keller (pictured) joined the Phoenix, Ariz.-based casual-dining company in 2015 and most recently served as vice president of marketing. In her new role, Keller will oversee brand strategy and communications, influencer marketing and the digital and creative teams.

“Shannon’s wealth of experience in building great brands will be an asset to True Food as we continue to expand our footprint nationally,” said Christine Barone, True Food Kitchen CEO, in a statement. The company plans to open six new restaurants this year, including the first units in Louisiana, Missouri and Nevada.

“She is exactly the right leader to help us illustrate and advance our mission to bring people together to eat better, feel better and celebrate a passion for better living,” Barone said.

Before joining True Food Kitchen, Keller served as managing director of The Artigue Agency in Phoenix, where she oversaw day-to-day operations and managed strategic marketing initiatives for hotels, companies and events. Prior to that role, she held executive positions at marketing-public relations firms PMK∙BNC and Weber Shandwick.

“True Food is a purpose-led company with the mission and values needed to become a truly meaningful, iconic brand,” Keller said.

Private-equity firm Centerbridge Partners holds a controlling interest in the company, which includes a 2018 investment by media executive Oprah Winfrey.

True Food Kitchen, founded in 2008, has 26 locations in 11 states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

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