Biscuitville has promoted Kathie Niven to president of the brand, the company said on Tuesday.
Niven most recently served as chief brand officer at the Greensboro, N.C.-based family-dining chain. The position had been open since Jim Metevier left the company as president in September 2016.
“Biscuitville is proud of its heritage as a local, family-owned business, and we had to look no further than our own front door when considering the best candidate to serve as our president,” said Burney Jennings, Biscuitville CEO, in a statement. “Kathie may not have Jennings as her last name, however, she certainly feels like family at Biscuitville.”
Niven joined Biscuitville in 2011 and oversaw the chain’s “Fresh Southern” brand positioning, as well as menu development that led to the introduction of a popular Spicy Chicken and Honey Biscuit.
In addition, Niven introduced an in-house agency model at Biscuitville by building a team responsible for communications and marketing initiatives, including photography, videography, media production, artwork and design, promotional material fulfillment, public relations, online retail, local-store marketing, social media and content management. She also developed Biscuitville’s Collegiate Summer Intern Program.
Prior to Biscuitville, Niven served as vice president of field marketing for Quiznos Corp. and as a marketing executive with RTM/Arby’s Roast Beef Corp., Burger King Corp. and Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corp.
In a related management change, Biscuitville said Kristie Mitchell, the brand’s creative director, was promoted to vice president of brand and marketing.
“During her work since 2011, Kathie has led the transformation of Biscuitville with our fresh look, new menu items and restaurant design,” Jennings said. “I’m equally pleased that Kristie was ready to step up to become vice president of brand and marketing.”
Mitchell joined Biscuitville in 2015 as senior brand creative and was responsible for overhauling its marketing collateral program and restaurant menu boards. Prior to Biscuitville, Mitchell owned her own agency, K. White Creative.
Biscuitville was founded in 1966 and operates 54 restaurants serving breakfast and lunch in North Carolina and Virginia.
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