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Golden Corral names Skip Hanke as chief marketing officerGolden Corral names Skip Hanke as chief marketing officer

Executive joins buffet company from Applebee’s brand strategy division

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

December 17, 2021

1 Min Read
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Golden Corral Corp. has named Paul “Skip” Hanke as its chief marketing officer, the company announced Thursday.

Golden-Corral-CMO-Skip-Hanke.jpgThe Raleigh, N.C.-based buffet restaurant chain said Hanke, left, most recently served as executive director of brand marketing at Applebee’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill, a division of Dine Brands Global Inc.

“He comes at the perfect time as we continue to launch innovative initiatives like our virtual brand and drive-thru service and build incredible positive comp sales momentum as we move into next year,” said Lance Trenary, Golden Corral’s president and CEO, said in a statement.

At Applebee’s, Hanke had responsibility for brand strategy, menu and product innovation, marketing calendar development and creative direction to partner agencies. Hanke previously served as Applebee’s media director.

Prior to joining Applebee’s, Hanke worked at the Procter & Gamble Co.

“The past 21 months have been very difficult for restaurants across the board, but Golden Corral persevered, and continues to thrive as America’s No. 1 buffet,” Hanke said. “The brand innovated and evolved in order to offer the best experience possible for guests, both off-premises and in our welcoming dining rooms.”

Golden Corral was founded in 1973.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Related:Golden Corral franchise group 1069 Restaurant Group LLC files Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

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

 

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