Denny’s CEO Christopher Bode said a lesson from former Dunkin’ Brands CEO Jon Luther is shaping how he leads the diner chain: focus on what must be managed rather than every possible task.
In an interview with Fox Business published Oct. 11, 2026, Bode said he shares the principle with his leadership team to help concentrate on priorities that could affect the company’s direction. He warned that organizations can lose focus when they take on too many projects at once.
Bode said Denny’s turnaround effort is organized around five pillars under its “Project Grand Slam” strategy. The source did not detail those pillars.
He also highlighted the importance of listening to franchisees, noting that they carry substantial financial and operational responsibilities. Bode said leaders should remain humble and remember that business success depends on collective effort, describing it as the power of “we” rather than “me.”
