Veteran retail executive-turned-fast casual CEO, Denyelle Bruno has big goals for 2020, among them resetting the workforce balance of the foodservice industry — starting with Tender Greens, the Los Angeles-based fast-casual concept she has helmed since mid-2018.
In April, Bruno announced her commitment to a major shift in gender parity by closing the promotion gap at Tender Greens, aiming for 50% of the restaurant’s leadership roles to be filled by women by the end of 2020. The commitment positions Tender Greens ahead of the hospitality pack, as numerous studies show that workforce diversity has many tangible business benefits, including increased innovation, creativity, productivity and efficiency. Tender Greens is hoping the commitment inspires others in the industry to follow suit.
It may seem a highly ambitious goal, but Bruno is an expert at developing, scaling and enhancing brands. Prior to joining Tender Greens in 2017, she conceptualized and launched Apple’s first 25 stores; opened 55 locations of Drybar, a California-based hairstyling company; and led next-level growth at a number of other companies. Since being named Tender Greens’ CEO in July 2018, she’s already made a significant impact, driving the concept’s strategic expansion and achieving milestone earnings.
In 2020, expect Bruno to continue to move forward with other ambitious goals, including expanding the restaurant’s footprint to new markets beyond its current 30 locations in California, New York and Massachusetts.