Latest news with #Denny's


NDTV
21 hours ago
- Business
- NDTV
US Millionaire CEO Reveals Questions That Help Her Identify Red Flags In Job Candidates
Kelli Valade, CEO of the American restaurant chain Denny's, recently shared the key red flags she watches for during the hiring process, often revealed through just a few critical questions she asks applicants. Speaking to Fortune, Ms Valade shared that one of the signs she looks for comes at the end of the interview, when she asks: "What questions do you have for me?" She explained that this small exercise helps her understand that you did your homework and are seriously interested in the role. The CEO revealed that she also asks easy or expected questions but follows them up with thoughtful queries that help her determine a person's strengths and weaknesses. "What would they say makes you most effective at what you do? Typically, candidates are pretty well equipped to answer that question, she told the outlet. "Then I ask them, what would make them more effective? Which basically is saying, what are your weaknesses? And there you'd be amazed at how many people can't answer that, or would say, 'I've not thought about it.' And so really what you're saying is, 'I've not thought about my weaknesses,'" she continued. The 55-year-old also admitted that she herself is a work in progress. But she said that what's helped her stand out throughout her career is not shying away from admitting her areas of improvement. It is something she hopes to see in her employees, too, she added. According to Fortune, Ms Valade started her career at just age 16 as a hostess at TJ's Big Boy. She climbed the corporate ladder in human resources, dreaming of becoming a chief people officer one day. However, when she was asked to become Chili's chief operations officer, she admitted that she was overcome by self-doubt. "I didn't think I could do that at the time. I thought, I think you're looking for the wrong person here. I don't know. My first instinct was, I'm not sure I know how to do that," she recalled. She also advised those in her position, especially women, to push forward and dispel those doubts. "Push yourself and challenge yourself on why you may not feel like that," she said.


Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Millionaire CEO reveals the questions that help identify red flags in a job interview
CEO of American restaurant chain Denny's, Kelli Valade has revealed the red flags she looks out for during hiring, by asking critical questions to job seekers. A restaurant industry veteran of over 30 years, the millionaire CEO often chooses to ask simple-looking questions to candidates but uses their answers to determine if they would be a good fit or not. The CEO asks simple-looking questions to candidates but uses their answers to determine if they would be a good fit or not.(Representational image/Unsplash) Talking to Fortune, Valade revealed that once the interview is over, she makes sure to ask the candidate what questions they have for her. She recommends that every job seeker prepare one or two thoughtful questions, but not more than that. She explains that this small exercise helps the interviewer understand that you did your homework and are seriously interested in the role. She also poses easy or expected questions but follows them up with thoughtful queries that help her determine a person's strengths and weaknesses. "What would they say makes you most effective at what you do? Typically, candidates are pretty well equipped to answer that question," she said. However, once the candidates have given their explanations, she inquires how they can become more effective at what they do. 'Which basically is saying, what are your weaknesses? And there you'd be amazed at how many people can't answer that, or would say, 'I've not thought about it.' And so really what you're saying is, 'I've not thought about my weaknesses.'' she explained. Valade claims that humility, recognising weaknesses and asking thoughtful questions can set job candidates apart in an interview. Valade, who started her career at 16 as a hostess at TJ's Big Boy, climbed the corporate ladder in human resources, dreaming of becoming a chief people officer one day. However, when she was asked to become Chili's chief operations officer, she admits she was overcome by self-doubt. 'I didn't think I could do that at the time. I thought, I think you're looking for the wrong person here. I don't know. My first instinct was, I'm not sure I know how to do that.' However, she advised those in her position to push forward and dispel those doubts. 'Push yourself and challenge yourself on why you may not feel like that,' she advised. After taking over as COO, she became the brand president at Chili's and later the CEO of Red Lobster. Her journey at Denny's began in 2022.


Japan Today
2 days ago
- General
- Japan Today
Japanese pop star Ado wants to know if Americans actually eat one of Japan's favorite 'Western foods'
By Casey Baseel, SoraNews24 For several decades, beef teriyaki has been one of the most popular menu items at Japanese restaurants in the U.S. It's flavorful and hearty, and doesn't use any ingredients with tastes or textures that would startle the average American diner. What can be surprising for American beef teriyaki fans, though is when they come to Japan and find out that the dish doesn't really exist here. Sure, Japan has beef, and Japan has teriyaki, but the latter isn't used as a seasoning for the former in the sauce's country of origin. Of course, this sort of situation, where one country mistakenly thinks something is a staple food in another culture but it really isn't, isn't something that only happens in America. As a matter of fact, J-pop mega star Ado recently took to X to ask her followers if something that's widely seen by Japanese people as an archetypal example of yoshoku ('Western cuisine') is something that she'd be able to find in the U.S. To clarify, Ado isn't asking about hamburgers, as it's common knowledge that there are burger joints all across the U.S. Instead, she's talking about a patty made of ground meat, onion, egg, and breadcrumbs that's eaten with a knife and fork. A hamburger steak, as hamburg is also sometimes called, can be accompanied by rice or bread, but the bread is always a thick slice or a dinner roll served on the side, not a bun, and hamburger steak isn't eaten as a sandwich. ▼ A Japanese hamburger steak/hamburg Image: SoraNews24 Hamburger steak is extremely easy to find in Japan. Pretty much every casual chain diner like Denny's or Gusto has it on the menu, and even some beef bowl chains, like Matsuya, offer hamburger steak set meals. Then there are all the restaurants that specifically specialize in hamburger steak. But as many commenters quickly explained in their replies to Ado, hamburger steaks aren't nearly as big a thing in the U.S. as they are in Japan. 'I don't think I've ever [eaten] a hamburg steak outside of Japan…America doesn't have them super often.' 'There are some in Little Tokyo, although I don't remember exactly where,' 'I don't think I've seen them at a restaurant.' 'Some Japanese restaurants in major cities have them.' 'Only in Japanese Restaurants.' The closest analogy in American cuisine, others offered, is Salisbury steak. However, many pointed out that Salisbury steak isn't an exact match, as it's often covered in a gravy unlike any sauce used for hamburger steak in Japan, and sometimes topped with sliced mushrooms as well, or may have things like diced mushroom or bell pepper within the patty itself. One commenter boiled the differences down to 'We do have Salisbury steaks, which are smaller, and worse.' Others theorized that America's version of the hamburger steak is meatloaf, but that has a different texture and flavor, as it's baked while hamburger steak is flat-grilled, often being finished on a hot iron plate at the table as it's served. Some commenters also mentioned loco moco, the patty for which bears a strong resemblance to Japanese hamburger steak, but it's more of a local Hawaiian food than something you'll regularly find across America's other 49 states (and, incidentally, is said to have been originally popularized by a Japanese-American chef). Considering that Japan loves both hamburger streaks and hamburgers, and sees both as culinary imports, Ado might be surprised to find out that America's tastes are so overwhelmingly tipped towards hamburgers that a hamburg will be hard to find. As alluded to by a couple of commenters, though, in a case of food ideas ping-ponging back and forth between cultures, hamburger steaks are starting to establish fanbases among American restaurant-goers who see them as a kind of Japanese food, so maybe they'll actually become a more common part of the American diet in years to come, and maybe even Japan's hamburger steak sushi will one day catch on over on the other side of the Pacific. Source: X/@ado1024imokenp Read more stories from SoraNews24. -- Which Japanese conveyor belt sushi chain has the best hamburger steak sushi?【Taste test】 -- One Piece singer Ado announces partnership to bring her music to the U.S., rest of the world【Vid】 -- Our Japanese Reporter Eats Donut Burger in Search of 'Real' American Hamburger, 'I never want to eat that again' External Link © SoraNews24


SoraNews24
5 days ago
- General
- SoraNews24
Japanese pop star Ado wants to know if Americans actually eat one of Japan's favorite 'Western foods'
It sure seems like Americans would like it. For several decades, beef teriyaki has been one of the most popular menu items at Japanese restaurants in the U.S. It's flavorful and hearty, and doesn't use any ingredients with tastes or textures that would startle the average American diner. What can be surprising for American beef teriyaki fans, though is when they come to Japan and find out that the dish doesn't really exist here. Sure, Japan has beef, and Japan has teriyaki, but the latter isn't used as a seasoning for the former in the sauce's country of origin. Of course, this sort of situation, where one country mistakenly thinks something is a staple food in another culture but it really isn't, isn't something that only happens in America. As a matter of fact, J-pop mega star Ado recently took to Twitter to ask her followers if something that's widely seen by Japanese people as an archetypal example of yoshoku ('Western cuisine') is something that she'd be able to find in the U.S. Do they have 'hamburg' (hamburger steaks) in America? I'd like to try them. — Ado (@ado1024imokenp) July 23, 2025 To clarify, Ado isn't asking about hamburgers, as it's common knowledge that there are burger joints all across the U.S. Instead, she's talking about a patty made of ground meat, onion, egg, and breadcrumbs that's eaten with a knife and fork. A hamburger steak, as hamburg is also sometimes called, can be accompanied by rice or bread, but the bread is always a thick slice or a dinner roll served on the side, not a bun, and hamburger steak isn't eaten as a sandwich. ▼ A Japanese hamburger steak/hamburg Hamburger steak is extremely easy to find in Japan. Pretty much every casual chain diner like Denny's or Gusto has it on the menu, and even some beef bowl chains, like Matsuya, offer hamburger steak set meals. Then there are all the restaurants that specifically specialize in hamburger steak. But as many commenters quickly explained in their replies to Ado, hamburger steaks aren't nearly as big a thing in the U.S. as they are in Japan. 'I don't think I've ever [eaten] a hamburg steak outside of Japan…America doesn't have them super often.' 'There are some in Little Tokyo, although I don't remember exactly where,' 'I don't think I've seen them at a restaurant.' 'Some Japanese restaurants in major cities have them.' 'Only in Japanese Restaurants.' The closest analogy in American cuisine, others offered, is Salisbury steak. However, many pointed out that Salisbury steak isn't an exact match, as it's often covered in a gravy unlike any sauce used for hamburger steak in Japan, and sometimes topped with sliced mushrooms as well, or may have things like diced mushroom or bell pepper within the patty itself. One commenter boiled the differences down to 'We do have Salisbury steaks, which are smaller, and worse.' Others theorized that America's version of the hamburger steak is meatloaf, but that has a different texture and flavor, as it's baked while hamburger steak is flat-grilled, often being finished on a hot iron plate at the table as it's served. Some commenters also mentioned loco moco, the patty for which bears a strong resemblance to Japanese hamburger steak, but it's more of a local Hawaiian food than something you'll regularly find across America's other 49 states (and, incidentally, is said to have been originally popularized by a Japanese-American chef). Considering that Japan loves both hamburger streaks and hamburgers, and sees both as culinary imports, Ado might be surprised to find out that America's tastes are so overwhelmingly tipped towards hamburgers that a hamburg will be hard to find. As alluded to by a couple of commenters, though, in a case of food ideas ping-ponging back and forth between cultures, hamburger steaks are starting to establish fanbases among American restaurant-goers who see them as a kind of Japanese food, so maybe they'll actually become a more common part of the American diet in years to come, and maybe even Japan's hamburger steak sushi will one day catch on over on the other side of the Pacific. Source: Twitter/@ado1024imokenp Photos ©SoraNews24 ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! Follow Casey on Twitter as he continues to lament the closing of the Butchers hamburger steak restaurant in Jiyugaoka.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Denny's Teams Up with Cookies for Kids' Cancer to ‘Strike Out' Pediatric Cancer
America's Diner launches national partnership to help fund breakthrough cancer research, donating proceeds from Kids' menu and limited-edition T-shirt Denny's and Cookies for Kid's Cancer team up to raise funds for pediatric cancer research. Denny's and Cookies for Kid's Cancer team up to raise funds for pediatric cancer research. Spartanburg, SC, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Denny's is adding to their partnership with Cookies for Kids' Cancer, a leading nonprofit organization committed to raising funds for pediatric cancer, with a new way that everyone can help. For 16 years, Denny's has supported Cookies for Kids' Cancer on a regional level, raising nearly $1.5 million to fund research for new, improved treatments. The expanded nationwide partnership will drive progress for kids who deserve 'More time, more options, and a future beyond cancer.' In true Grand Slam® fashion, Denny's has launched a limited-edition 'Let's Strikeout Kids' Cancer' T-shirt, available now at All proceeds from the shirt sales will benefit Cookies for Kids' Cancer. In addition, Denny's is supporting the cause through its menu: for every Kids' menu item sold now through Spring of 2026, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to help fight pediatric cancer. And lastly, guests can also contribute by rounding up their checks to support fundraising efforts now through August 26, 2025. 'At our core, we love to feed people and serve families in our communities, which includes those directly impacted by pediatric cancer. A diagnosis can happen to any family at any time. I know this too well, as I lost my brother to cancer at a young age,' said Chris Bode, president and chief operating officer of Denny's. 'There's still so much work to be done to find a cure. Together with Cookies for Kids' Cancer, we will fund meaningful progress and get one step closer to ending the disease once and for all.' 'With Denny's nationwide presence, we can raise critical awareness and funds for pediatric cancer, the leading cause of death by disease in children. Denny's guests likely know a child affected, and the concept of being a 'Good Cookie' is something we think every Denny's guest can embrace,' said Gretchen Witt, co-founder and executive director. 'Our collaboration will directly boost the number of research grants we can fund, which lead to new treatment options and real hope for families. In fact, the very first treatment we helped to fund became available seven months after my son Liam lost his battle and has since helped countless kids.' Guests looking to support Cookies for Kids' Cancer can head to their local Denny's, as every visit helps. Guests can also grab their very own 'Let's Strikeout Kids' Cancer' T-shirt *while supplies last at To learn more, visit ### About Denny's Corp Denny's is a Spartanburg, S.C. - based family dining restaurant brand that has been welcoming guests to our booths for more than 70 years. Our guiding principle is simple: We love to feed people. Denny's provides craveable meals at a meaningful value across breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night. Whether it's at our brick-and-mortar locations, via Denny's on Demand (the first delivery platform in the family dining segment), or at The Meltdown, Banda Burrito, and The Burger Den, our three virtual restaurant concepts, Denny's is ready to delight guests whenever and however they want to order. Our longstanding commitment to supporting our local communities in need is brought to life with our Mobile Relief Diner (that delivers hot meals to our neighbors during times of disaster), Denny's Hungry for Education™ scholarship program, our annual fundraiser with long-time-partner No Kid Hungry, and our new partnership supporting Cookies for Kids' Cancer in their mission to fund research for new, improved and less toxic treatments for kids facing cancer. Denny's is one of the largest franchised full-service restaurant brands in the world, based on the number of restaurants. As of March 26, 2025, the Denny's brand consisted of 1,491 restaurants, 1,430 of which were franchised and licensed restaurants and 61 of which were company-operated. This includes 166 restaurants in Canada, Costa Rica, Curacao, El Salvador, Guam, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. To learn more about Denny's, please visit our brand website at or the brand's social channels via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or YouTube. About Cookies for Kids' CancerCookies for Kids' Cancer is a nationally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to funding research for new, improved and less toxic treatments for pediatric cancer—the #1 disease killer of children in the U.S. Inspired by the belief that everyone can make a difference, the organization mobilizes individuals, businesses, and communities to raise critical funding through grassroots events like bake sales, fitness challenges, and corporate campaigns. Since its founding, Cookies for Kids' Cancer has granted more than $23 million, supporting over 140 cutting-edge research projects and contributing to 60 new treatment options. Backed by a global network of 18,000+ passionate supporters, every dollar donated is tax-deductible and fuels hope for children fighting cancer. Attachments Denny's and Cookies for Kid's Cancer team up to raise funds for pediatric cancer research. Denny's and Cookies for Kid's Cancer team up to raise funds for pediatric cancer research. CONTACT: Denny's Media Team Denny's 864-597-8005 media@