10 Denny's operations leaders
Aaron Howard, Chief Operating Officer at Denny's, leads this list of ten Denny's operations leaders, alongside people who hold or have held vice president of international operations, director of company operations and director of operations roles at the company. A reader can learn how operations leaders work at Denny's from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
Aaron Howard
LinkedInExperience: Chief Operating Officer · Denny's
Aaron Howard has been Chief Operating Officer at Denny's since July 2026, based in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Aaron Howard was Vice President at CKE Restaurants, Inc. from 2025 to 2026, Vice President of Company Operations CKE from 2023 to 2024, Chief Operating Officer at Restaurant Growth Services, LLC from 2024 to 2025 and Regional Vice President at Cracker Barrel from 2021 to 2023.
Anil Dhawan
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations · Denny's
Anil Dhawan has been Director of Operations at Denny's since October 1997, based in Victorville, California, and the profile headline gives the same title at Denny's. The listing shows this Denny's role as the only position on the profile and places it in California.
Brian Aga
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Operations · Denny's
Brian Aga was Vice President Operations at Denny's from 2020 to December 2025 and Director Of Franchise Operations there from 2019 to 2021, and has been Senior Vice President Operations at HTeaO since February 2026. Brian Aga was Director of Ops Services/Operations at Denny's from 2016 to 2019 and Vice President Facilities and Growth at Taco Bueno Restaurants from 2013 to 2014.
Cherry Bush
LinkedInExperience: Director of Company Operations · Denny's
Cherry Bush has been Director of Company Operations at Denny's since August 2008, based in Carson, California, and the profile headline describes Cherry Bush as Regional Manager at Denny's. The listing shows this Denny's role as the only position on the profile.
Christina Lopez
LinkedInExperience: Director Of Operations · Denny's
Christina Lopez has been Director Of Operations at Denny's since April 2022, based in Tampa, Florida, and was Market Manager Florida at Denny's from 2021 to 2022. Christina Lopez was District Manager at Denny's from 2016 to 2021 and Approved Training General Manager there from 2012 to 2016.
Kelly Sturm
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations · Denny's
Kelly Sturm has been Director of Operations at Denny's since September 2022, based in the Greater Tucson Area, and held Designated Market Director Feast Restaurant at Denny's from 2022 to 2024. Kelly Sturm was District Manager at Denny's from 2018 to 2022 and General Manager there from 2010 to 2018.
Khomsan Liamkrajang
LinkedInExperience: Director of Company Operations · Denny's
Khomsan Liamkrajang has been Director of Company Operations at Denny's since October 2024, based in the Los Angeles area. Khomsan Liamkrajang was District Manager at Denny's from 2015 to 2024 and General Manager/Training Manager there from 2002 to 2015, and the profile cites a strong core value system, work ethic and dedication.
Marilyn Costanza
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations · Denny's
Marilyn Costanza has been Director of Operations at Denny's since February 2011, based in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, and the listing tags the role at Level: Director in the Operations department. Marilyn Costanza was Franchise Operations Manager at Denny's from 1996 to 2007 and District Manager there from 1989 to 1996.
Nader Talebzadeh
LinkedInExperience: Vice President of International Operations · Denny's
Nader Talebzadeh has been Vice President of International Operations at Denny's since July 2026, based in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area, and was Director, International Operations at Denny's from 2022 to 2026. Nader Talebzadeh was Regional Director Of Franchise Operations East at Denny's Inc. from 2015 to 2022 and Franchise Business Leader at Denny's from 2012 to 2015.
Thomas L. Canty, CFE
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Franchise & Restaurant Operations · Denny's
Thomas L. Canty was Vice President Franchise & Restaurant Operations at Denny's from December 2014 to February 2020, based in Greenville, South Carolina, and Vice President Training & Operations Support there from 2013 to 2014. Thomas L. Canty was RVP Eastern U.S. at GoTo Foods from 2010 to 2013 and Vice President, Operations at Dunkin' from 2003 to 2008.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's level and scope, such as a company-wide officer, an international operations leader or a director over a group of restaurants, to the decision you face. Check the dates on each person's Denny's roles to judge how recent their experience is.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01What did you change first when you took on your current operations role, and why?
- 02How do you decide which restaurant problems need your attention and which the restaurant teams should own?
- 03What has your own work taught you about developing general managers into multi-unit leaders?
Reaching Denny's operations leaders
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About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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