Denny's Forms New Partnership With Magic Johnson For Its Breakthrough Leadership Training And Development Programs

SPARTANBURG, S.C., March 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Denny's Corporation (NASDAQ: DENN), one of the world's largest full-service family dining chains, today announced a partnership with Earvin "Magic" Johnson. With Johnson's support, Denny's has created an online and multifaceted experiential program to accompany their Breakthrough Leadership Training and Development Program. Denny's focus is on creating and developing careers. Johnson's history as a business leader, entrepreneur, athlete and philanthropist, complements Denny's commitment to building individuals and strong teams.

"Partnering with Magic is such a natural fit for us," said John Dillon, Senior Vice President and Chief Brand Officer at Denny's. "His business acumen and commitment to building diverse workforces aligns well with Denny's efforts and our passion for supporting the communities we serve. Over the coming months, Denny's looks forward to visiting several communities in which we will provide job opportunities and information about careers in the hospitality industry. Johnson's assistance in our efforts will help us reach a broad audience to share skills and insights that will help them grow personally and professionally."

Denny's Breakthrough Leadership Training and Development program provides Denny's team members with exclusive access to numerous creative and interactive employee engagement curricula, leadership workshops, simulations, games and mobile learning and educational training videos. Several elements of the training program are experiential and designed to be practical and sustainable, reflecting real business and leadership challenges that team leaders face every day. In April 2019, Denny's will be launching a complementary recruiting site highlighting job and career-long opportunities.

"Denny's is doing this right," said Johnson. "Having spent time with the senior leadership team and having witnessed firsthand their commitment to recruiting local talent, training their employees, and making a positive impact in their local communities, it's obvious they are approaching their goals the right way.  Magic Johnson Enterprises has always been focused on developing programs that create jobs and careers in the areas in which we invest. Over the coming months, I look forward to participating in Denny's recruiting and training efforts and I am proud to support their team."

"Denny's success and our ability to achieve breakthrough results is directly dependent upon the effectiveness of our leaders and team members," said Chris Bode, Chief Operating Officer at Denny's. "We believe there is a leader inside of everyone. We have had the pleasure of working with Magic Johnson and his Foundation for the past eight years, and we understand and support his commitment to youth and education. We are privileged to have this opportunity to continue working together to recruit and build a best-in-class workforce that will help us foster an environment and culture that will sustain our business for years to come."

In addition to launching the Denny's new recruiting and leadership training program, Denny's teamed up with Magic Johnson earlier this year to develop a regional specialized menu in Southern California. These specialty items come with tips demonstrating health alternatives for classic meals.

About Denny's

Denny's Corporation is the franchisor and operator of one of America's largest franchised full-service restaurant chains, based on the number of restaurants. As of December 26, 2018, Denny's had 1,709 franchised, licensed, and company restaurants around the world including 131 restaurants in Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Honduras, Costa Rica, the United Arab Emirates, Guam, the United Kingdom, El Salvador, and Guatemala. As America's Diner, Denny's commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion has been widely acknowledged by civil rights leaders, community groups, and publications, including World Franchise Network, USA Today and Minority Business News USA. For further information about Denny's diversity programs, please visit at dennys.com/diversity, and for further information on Denny's, including news releases, links to SEC filings, and other financial information, please visit the Denny's investor relations website at investor.dennys.com.

About Magic Johnson Enterprises

Magic Johnson Enterprises, formed in 1987, serves as a catalyst for community and economic empowerment by making available high-quality entertainment, products and services that answer the demands of ethnically diverse urban communities. Through investment, partnership and consultation, Magic Johnson Enterprises has a portfolio of companies that strategically work together to reinforce the organization's focus on serving emerging, multicultural communities. Learn more at www.magicjohnsonenterprises.com.

SOURCE Denny's Corporation