Kelli Valade is the Chief Executive Officer of Denny’s Corporation, the franchisor and operator of one of America’s largest franchised full-service restaurant chains, based on the number of restaurants. As of June 29, 2022, Denny’s
had 1,631 franchised, licensed, and company restaurants around the world.
Valade joined Denny’s in June 2022 and has spent more than 30 years in the restaurant industry as a purpose-driven leader with an uncompromising dedication to serving guests and her teams.
Prior to joining Denny’s, Valade served as CEO of Red Lobster and CEO of Black Box Intelligence. She also spent several years at Brinker International where she held various management positions at Chili’s including Brand President, Chief Operating Offi cer and Senior Vice President of Human Resources.
Valade serves on the Board of Directors for the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation (NRAEF) and Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF), the Food Industry’s thought leader on gender equity that leverages research, insights and best practice solutions that enable food companies to address the full potential of women leaders.
Valade received her Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Binghamton University and her MBA from Syracuse University.
