Ronayne Has Shaped Her Career Around Brands that Align with Her Values

Ronayne is a lifelong fan of the food franchise and has fond memories of eating breakfast there with her family. “The core pillars of quality, service and value are timeless. Recognizing the potential to usher in a new era for Perkins presented an opportunity I couldn’t ignore,” she said. “We’re aiming high and have significant growth and innovation on the horizon.” She thrives on collaborating with entrepreneurs to develop scalable business models, and franchising gives her the opportunity to help others achieve their dreams, which is very rewarding for her. 

She describes Ascent Hospitality Management as “standing at the forefront of this industry’s future, propelling brands forward with a focus on dynamic leadership,” while adding that the food franchisor is also committed to cultivating a great workplace culture. 

A Growing Team 

CEO James O’Reilly released a statement regarding the appointments of Ronayne and Chief Technology Officer Steven Roach: “As we continue implementing our strategic plan, which calls for building category-leading brands that deliver unbeatable guest experiences, we have appointed new brand presidents to lead Perkins and Huddle House. We are also committed to becoming the family-dining digital leader and have appointed an accomplished industry veteran to drive our technology initiatives.”

Importance of Values

Ronayne has shaped her career around brands that reflect her values, and the restaurant industry has been a perfect fit. She previously was regional director of Canada and northeast U.S. for Starbucks’ Teavana division, and her career in franchising began at Freshii, allowing her to leverage her experience with both corporate and license models. She has also served as the managing director of Canada for Little Caesars Pizza. “This industry feels like home to me, and the idea of being in a different field is unimaginable.”