How Denny's Rebuilt Its Fading Brand Into a Modern, Social-Savvy Business

CMO John Dillon shares how the chain transformed

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In 2009, Denny’s was in a rough spot. Foot traffic to its restaurants had been on the decline for several years in a row. And though its brand awareness was strong—over 95 percent of Americans knew Denny’s, and a similar percentage had been to the restaurant at one point—many visitors hadn’t returned in years.

In hopes of changing the tide, Denny’s paid $3 million for a Super Bowl ad spot, a humorous clip that showed a serious, mob-style conversation about “finishing the job” that was interrupted by a friendly Denny’s server spraying whipped cream into a smile on a plate of pancakes.

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