“For more than 60 years we have enjoyed feeding people from all walks of life, offering a gathering spot where you can come as you are and order what you like. We are proud of our heritage in which we celebrate, promote and embrace the cultural diversity of our communities and employees, supporting causes and participating in efforts such as education initiatives, minority business conferences and childhood hunger programs,” said John Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer of Denny’s.
Diversity is truly woven through the fabric of Denny’s. The company understands the importance of an inclusive environment and is committed to promoting a workplace that embraces everyone, from all areas of operations and the supply chain, right through to its philanthropic efforts. This commitment to “openness” stems from the highest levels of the company’s leadership, including a board of directors that is 45% comprised of women and minorities, and approximately 63% of the company’s total workplace is made up of minorities. Additionally, 94% of Denny’s restaurants are franchise-owned and of those, 45% are minority-owned, meaning Denny’s restaurants are run and owned by people as diverse as its customers. Furthermore, in order to strengthen partnerships with minority and women-owned suppliers, Denny’s initiated a Supplier Diversity Program in 1993 and has spent more than $1.6 billion with minority suppliers since inception.
Denny’s has a long history of impacting communities by supporting the many diverse causes that are important to its guests. “We are dedicated to enhancing partnerships and developing programs that positively influence the communities we serve. Denny’s is committed to creating an environment which celebrates the many different beliefs, perspectives and people that walk through our doors. With a diverse customer base of millions, we are proud to work with organizations that share our passion for diversity,” said April Kelly-Drummond, Director, Diversity Affairs, Denny’s.
As a natural extension of Denny’s community efforts, the company supports various causes to help fight childhood hunger and promote education. In 2013, the company launched its Hungry for Education program to help improve education across the nation, partnering with leading non-profit minority advocacy organizations including the Tom Joyner Foundation and Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). Through the program, Denny’s has presented more than $250,000 in combined scholarships to deserving students across the country.
Denny’s continues its commitment to the fight against childhood hunger through its efforts with Share Our Strength’s ‘No Kid Hungry®’ campaign, a national movement aimed at ending childhood hunger. Denny’s President and CEO John Miller serves on the board of the organization and is an instrumental leader in these efforts, which has donated more than $2.3 million to-date.
From 2001 through 2004, Denny’s contributed nearly $4 million to support the cause of civil and human rights. The National Civil Rights Museum was the first-year recipient, receiving more than $1.2 million to complete an expansion project. Denny’s also donated more than $1.3 million to The King Center to fund a national community service initiative, as well as partnering with the organization to fund the creation and dissemination of a non-violence, youth service learning curriculum. Additionally, the company was a proud sponsor of the recent Selma 50th Anniversary commemorative events remembering “Bloody Sunday,” the Selma-to-Montgomery March and Voting Rights Act of 1965.
