John C. Miller has been the Chief Executive Officer of Denny's Inc. since February 1, 2011. He brought over 30 years of experience in the food service industry to the role. Prior to joining Denny's, he was the CEO of...

John C. Miller has been the Chief Executive Officer of Denny's Inc. since February 1, 2011. He brought over 30 years of experience in the food service industry to the role. Prior to joining Denny's, he was the CEO of Taco Bueno Restaurants, a Mexican fast-food chain, and worked at various well-known restaurant brands like Chili's and On the Border. Under his leadership, Denny's has focused on improving company performance metrics like same-store sales and guest satisfaction. In 2015, his total compensation reached $4.9 million, highlighting his pivotal role in steering the company’s growth. An interesting point is that in 2014, he earned bonuses due to exceeding corporate performance goals, with performance shares that add a dynamic edge to his pay structure. His career is marked by some key changes; he recently announced plans to retire later this year. His tenure is notable for navigating Denny’s through a competitive restaurant landscape while trying to innovate the brand. Investors have noticed his active insider trading over the years, with trades showing fluctuations in his holdings from highs of around $12 million in 2019 to lower valuations in subsequent years. As Miller prepares to pass the leadership torch, he leaves behind a legacy of strategic growth and brand evolution at Denny’s.