WE LOVE TO FEED PEOPLE
For over 70 years, Denny’s has been a welcoming place where people can connect over great food. We’re always open, always serving your favorites, and we’re proud to be America's diner.
THAT GUIDE US
PEOPLE FIRST
They’re more than just customers or consumers. They’re our guests, and we invite them into our homes with open arms. They’re the very reason why we’re in business, and we put them at the center of everything we do.
POWER OF WE
Our Denny's family is our most important asset. We trust, support and respect each other and work together for the greater good. We recognize the contributions of all.
CELEBRATE HERITAGE
We are the classic American diner and proud of everything that means. Since 1953, we've served quality food and healthy portions at a fair price. No matter where we are, our light is always on, inviting guests around the world into a place where everyone is welcome.
PURSUE EXCELLENCE
At Denny’s, we’re constantly looking ahead. We’re always moving, striving for more, hungry for greatness. We’re open to fresh, innovative thinking and believe we’ll succeed through teamwork, accountability and pushing the boundaries of ourselves and our Brand.
EMBRACE OPENNESS
"Open" means so much more than just being open 24/7. It means being open to all people, appetites and budgets. It says we're open-minded and open to new ideas. Honest, warm and inviting. "Open" is the way we think and act every hour of every day.
Since 1953
Our History
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1953
Harold Butler and Richard Jezak open Danny’s Donuts in Lakewood, CA.
1956
After Jezak’s departure, Butler changed the donut shop concept to a coffee shop with store #8. Danny’s Donuts is renamed Danny’s Coffee Shops, now open 24 hours.
1959
To avoid confusion with another LA restaurant, Coffee Dan’s, Butler changes the name from Danny’s Coffee Shops to Denny’s Coffee Shops.
1961
Denny’s Coffee Shops becomes Denny’s. And the rest is history.
1967
Denny’s goes international, opening its first restaurant in Acapulco, Mexico.
1968
Denny’s Stock begins Trading on NYSE under “DEN.”
1977
The Grand Slam® is introduced in Atlanta as a nod to homerun slugger, Hank Aaron.
1981
Denny's reaches a big milestone by opening its 1,000th location.
1991
Denny’s headquarters moves from Irvine, California to downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina.
1994
Denny’s becomes the largest corporate sponsor of the national charity Save the Children®.
2000
Fortune Magazine ranks Denny’s #1 on the list of “America’s 50 Best Companies for Minorities.”
2002
Denny’s parent company, Advantica Restaurant Group, Inc., is renamed Denny’s Corporation to reflect the one brand focus.
2006
Black Enterprise magazine ranks Denny’s at the top of its list of “Best 40 Companies for Diversity” in July 2006.
2008
Two million free Grand Slams® are served on the Tuesday after Super Bowl XLIII.
2010
The $2 $4 $6 $8 Value Menu® makes its debut, while Denny's opens its 1,600th restaurant by expanding domestically to Travel Centers and university locations.
2013
Denny’s celebrates its 60th anniversary.
2018
Denny’s announces the launch of the Mobile Relief Diner, a 53-foot custom-built kitchen ready to help feed those in need.
2019
With 89% of locations remodeled, Denny's launches the Heritage 2.0 Remodel Program to further enhance the dining experience and to set the stage for future revitalization.
2020
Denny's partners with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and begins donating a portion of kids entrée sales to fight childhood cancer.
2021
Denny’s launches two virtual brands, The Burger Den and The Meltdown.
Dawn Lafreeda
Dawn Lafreeda started her career as a Denny's waitress at age 16 and eventually bought her first Denny's restaurant at age 23. Today, Dawn is one of the largest single-owner franchisees with more than 80 Denny's locations that employ 3,000 people across the country.
Executive Leadership Team
THE DENNY’S Board
Brenda J. Lauderback
Board Chair; Retired; Former President of Wholesale and Retail Group of Nine West Group, Inc.
Bernadette S. Aulestia
Former Chief Revenue & Growth Officer, Callisto Media
Olu Beck
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, The Beck Group NJ
Gregg R. Dedrick
Co-Founder, David Novak Leadership
José M. Gutiérrez
Retired; President and Chief Executive Officer, AT&T Southwestern Bell
John C. Miller
Retired; Chief Executive Officer, Denny's Corporation
Kelli F. Valade
Chief Executive Officer and President, Denny’s Corporation
Mark R. Vondrasek
Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Laysha Ward
Retired; Executive Vice President and Chief External Engagement Officer, Target Corporation
Social Responsibility
As America's Diner, we love to feed people's bodies, minds and souls. We bring joy and comfort in many ways, with the common thread being our dedication to giving back to the communities in which we serve.
Diversity
By fostering a culture of openness, equity and inclusion, Denny's is proud to make diversity a top priority. That includes investing in team members, partners and suppliers from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as providing educational resources and scholarships to underserved and diverse students and communities.
Franchising
