Kelli Valade Email & Phone Number

Texas, United States

Spartanburg, Sc, Us

Dallas, Texas, Us

Orlando, Florida, Us

Dallas, Texas, Us

Determined to make a larger impact on the restaurant industry, Kelli Valade joined Black Box Intelligence in 2019 as the President and CEO. Her efforts include leading the brand to continued success through strategy, intention and direction.Black Box Intelligence™ (formerly TDn2K) is the leading data and insights provider of workforce, guest, consumer and financial performance benchmarks for the hospitality industry. The Black Box Intelligence product suite is the industry standard for operators seeking to achieve best-in-class performance results. With the largest and most reliable set of real restaurant data in the marketplace, Black Box Intelligence currently tracks and analyzes more than 300 companies, over 2.8 million employees and $75 billion in annual sales revenue. Black Box Intelligence is also the producer of the Global Best Practices Conference held annually in Dallas, Texas.

Dallas, Texas, Us

As the first female brand president, Kelli leads a team of more than 80,000 ChiliHeads around the world and oversees more than 1,600 restaurants in 31 countries and two territories. In this role, she has established a clear vision and bold strategy, cultivated a purpose-driven culture and executed the largest menu change in the brand's history. Kelli established "Women Taking the Lead (WTL)," an initiative designed to educate, encourage and motivate young Chili's leaders to dream big and achieve their career goals.

Dallas, Texas, Us

Launched the “Plan to Win” turnaround strategy that achieved a 400-basis point margin improvement, reversed negative traffic trends, and surpassed best historical cost of sales, labor, and guest metric improvements. Developed and implemented Chili’s “Team Service” initiative that saved the company $32M in labor efficiencies in just one year, improved the guest experience, and doubled average restaurant cash flows.Improved restaurant operating margin from 10% to 15%, EBITDA to 22%, and doubled Brinker’s EPS growth over three years.Led the acquisition of 103 franchise restaurants, assimilating them back into the corporate environment. Delivered above-expectation returns on the acquired restaurants.Responsible for nationwide “Re-image 2020” remodel program, delivering +3% traffic lift system-wide.Led and managed fundraising efforts for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, delivering largest corporate donation of $50M in less than ten years. Recommitted an additional $30M to benefit Chili’s/St. Jude School of Hope.Implemented “Best Life” wellbeing platform with programs tied to improving team members’ career, social, financial, community, and physical wellbeing, achieving all-time high Team Engagement scores.Empowered women’s workforce by developing “Women Taking the Lead,” the brand’s first ever women’s leadership initiative. Created a program to promote and retain female leaders at the General Manager and multi-unit level. Launched the Digital Guest Experience as the first casual dining brand to implement “Pay at the Table” technology, improving throughput and guest satisfaction. Later introduced and executed CRM, OLO platform, and curbside delivery.Consistently delivered excellence in “People Metrics”, including culture, world-class engagement scores, and industry leading turnover and diversity.

Dallas, Texas, Us

Full responsibility for all aspects of leading the Chili’s organization, Brinker’s flagship brand. Created brand strategy and direction, and oversaw all executive leadership functions for 1,600 restaurants; 75,000 team members; and $3B in annual revenues.As a key member of the Brinker Executive Leadership Team, developed Brinker’s short and long-term strategies, responsible for communicating to Wall Street analysts, the Board of Directors, and Shareholders. Oversight for sister brand and Global Business Development. Managed domestic franchise partner relationships, including acquisitions and restaurant development.Grew average annual restaurant volumes (AAVs) from $2.8M to $3.1M in 18 months.Introduced “3 for $10” value menu platform, leveraging Chili’s core equities, driving immediate and sustaining traffic improvement of 8%.Responsible for hiring new advertising agency (AOR) and launching differentiated “Chili’s Is Back, Baby” campaign. Eliminated 50% of the menu and re-established Chili’s credibility and authority as the Casual Dining leader in Burgers, Ribs, Fajitas, and Margaritas. Resulted in historical traffic improvement of +13% in just five quarters, simplified operations and improved guest satisfaction. Directed and led the transition to a new digital innovation strategy with a differentiated Customer Relationship Management (CRM) program, securing over seven million active users and a “best in class” loyalty program that delivered improved MROI while lowering overall marketing spend.

Washington, Dc, Us

Dallas, Texas, Us

Introduced “Culture of Accountability” in partnership with operations, creating a multi-year, organizational shift to a stronger culture that stabilized brand health and improved overall results.Restructured and right-sized Operations and Human Resource functions, creating a more synergistic partnership, improving Team Engagement scores and saving $10M by eliminating inefficiencies.Launched a strategic retention initiative with completely revamped recruiting and training platforms. Lowered turnover by over 60%.

Dallas, Texas, Us

Led the corporate Human Resource function for all nine brands in Brinker Portfolio.Developed and implemented comprehensive, company-wide, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, created KPIs starting with the CEO, delivering immediate improvement in diversity awareness and promotion rates.

Masters In Business Administration, Marketing & Human Resource Management

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Sociology