Oklahoma City — Sonic Corp., the nation’s largest chain of drive-in restaurants, has appointed Jose A. Dueñas as executive vice president and chief brand officer. He joins the company from Olive Garden.
Dueñas will be responsible for the end-to-end customer experience including marketing and culinary innovation, digital strategy, consumer insights, guest relations, concept development and overall evolution of the SONIC brand for the long term. He joins the brand with more than two decades of marketing and brand senior leadership in the restaurant and consumer packaged goods industries, most recently leading same-store sales growth and profitability for Olive Garden where he served as executive vice president and chief marketing officer.
“I am delighted to welcome Jose to Sonic this month,” says Clifford Hudson, CEO of Sonic. “His experience and impressive track record complements our recent appointment of Lori Abou Habib as chief marketing officer. Jose brings broad expertise and talent to Sonic; we are confident his leadership and expertise will support continued growth of our brand.”
In his 5 years with Olive Garden, Dueñas served as marketing lead with responsibility for brand strategy, food innovation, guest experience design, advertising and communications, digital and social media, market research and guest relations.
SONIC, America’s Drive-In is the nation’s largest drive-in restaurant chain serving approximately 3 million customers every day. Nearly 94% of SONIC’s 3,500 drive-in locations are owned and operated by local business men and women. For more information, visit sonicdrivein.com.
SOURCE: Sonic Corp.