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The Power List

The annual NRN Power List is the definitive list of industry leaders who are not only setting trends today, but also shaping them for tomorrow.

The Power List 2019: Brenda LauderbackThe Power List 2019: Brenda Lauderback

Steering Denny’s to success

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

January 24, 2019

1 Min Read
brenda lauderback
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The annual NRN Power List is the definitive list of people setting foodservice trends today and shaping them for tomorrow. See the full list >>

Brenda J. Lauderback, board chair, Denny’s Corp.

Brenda Lauderback was named a Denny Corp.’s director in May 2005 and has served as board chair since May 2016, overseeing the corporate governance as the family-dining brand grew and weathered the Great Recession.

Her roots in merchandising, marketing and product development run deep. Before joining Spartanburg, S.C.-based Denny’s, she had served as president of Nine West Group Inc., a footwear manufacturer and distributor, and was a vice president and general merchandise manager for Target Corp.

Her background and leadership have propelled Denny’s to grand-slam performance. With more than 1,700 owned and franchised locations globally, the company was forecasting its fiscal 2018 would be its eighth consecutive year with positive same-store sales growth.

The company has increased awareness with its popular $2 $4 $6 $8 Value Menu. One in five guests visits Denny’s because of those value offerings, the company’s research indicates. And Denny’s in the past three years has changed more than 50 percent of its menu to provide more margin-friendly products.

Lauderback’s influence extends not only within Denny’s but to the larger corporate governance community.

Lauderback is a National Association of Corporate Directors board leadership fellow and was named in 2017 to the NACD Directorship 100, an annual list that recognizes leading corporate directors and corporate-governance experts who impact performance.

The Power List

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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