Sponsored By

Chris Bode to return to COO role at Denny’sChris Bode to return to COO role at Denny’s

Executive also assumes role as president of the franchising concept

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

September 23, 2024

1 Min Read
Denny s Chris Bode chief operating officer
Denny's Corp. names Chris Bode at chief operating officer.

Denny’s Corp. said Chris Bode will return to his role as chief operating officer and take on the additional duties of president, effective Sept., 30, the company said in documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Denny's-COO-Chris-Bode.jpgBode had left Denny’s in 2022. The Spartanburg, S.C. company said Bode, formerly president of Franklin, Tenn.-based Hardee’s USA, will succeed Alex Williams in the role.

Kelli Valade, Denny’s CEO, who had also served as president of Denny's Inc. from August 2023 through the hiring of Bode, will retain all other existing responsibilities, the company said.

“We are excited to welcome Chris back to Denny's as we continue to innovate and drive our strategic goals forward,” a company spokesperson said. “He brings industry experience and invaluable knowledge of our franchise community, having previously served as a leader at Denny’s for more than a decade”

As of June 26, Denny’s had 1,541 restaurants, 1,477 of which were franchised and licensed restaurants and 64 of which were company-operated.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on X/Twitter: @RonRuggless

Read more about:

Denny’s Corp.

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

Subscribe Nation's Restaurant News Newsletters
Get the latest breaking news in the industry, analysis, research, recipes, consumer trends, the latest products and more.