Huddle House names new CMO

Atlanta-based Huddle House has named Alison Delaney chief marketing officer.

Delaney replaces former chief marketing officer Marc Butler, who left the company last month. Most recently, Delaney served as vice president of menu innovation with Carlson Restaurants and was responsible for the T.G.I. Friday’s brand. Her 30-year career in the restaurant industry also includes marketing roles with Ruby Tuesday and Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill.

“Alison comes to us with an outstanding track record of developing and executing inventive marketing campaigns that genuinely resonate with end users, and her experience in the restaurant and franchise space set her considerably apart in the industry,” Huddle House chief executive Michael Abt said in a statement. “Over the last year, we’ve evolved our business model and service offerings to appeal to new customers and to better the experience of our existing patrons, and now we’re eager to work with Alison to tell the world what we have to offer.”

Delaney is the fourth executive to join the 400-unit family-dining chain since Sentinel Capital Holdings acquired it in April 2012. Abt, formerly Arby’s senior vice president, took over as chief executive in October 2012. Tyrone Counts joined Huddle House in June as the brand’s first chief operating officer, and Jonathan Benjamin came aboard in July as chief development officer.

Huddle House said it expects to open 135 new restaurants throughout the Southeast and Texas in the next four years via franchise growth. Next year, the brand will celebrate its 50th year in business.

Huddle House operates restaurants in 21 states.

Contact Mark Brandau at [email protected].
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