Staffing

Biscuitville president takes on CEO role

Kathy Niven will now serve as CEO as well as president of Biscuitville. Provided

January 8, 2021

Kathie S. Niven, who joined Greensboro-based Biscuitville Fresh Southern in 2011 and became president in early 2018, has taken on an additional role as the company's CEO. Burney Jennings, who formerly filled the role, is now the brand's executive chair.

"Kathie has tremendous passion and a deep knowledge of Biscuitville and its culture, and she's fully prepared to assume the role of chief cxecutive officer," Jennings said in a company press release. "Biscuitville has thrived under Kathie's leadership as President during the last several years, and I'm thrilled that she has accepted new responsibilities as chief executive officer.

"I will continue to play an important role at Biscuitville but have ultimate confidence in Kathie's ability to keep our company focused on its core principles and continue our expansion model."

Under Niven's leadership, Biscuitville has continued its growth strategy by renovating, remodeling or rebuilding nearly all of its 62 restaurants. The majority of the new locations have been within Biscuitville's traditional footprint but also includes expansion into Fayetteville and Charlotte, North Carolina, according to the release.

"Burney and his father Maurice Jennings built of foundation of mutual respect among all team members at Biscuitville and a legacy of serving high quality, locally sourced food," Niven said in the release. "I look forward to continuing their vision for Biscuitville and being a good steward of their people-first culture. Our commitment to diversity and accessibility begins with me, and as a female executive, my role reinforces our shared belief that we cannot limit our vision of what leadership may look like."

Prior to becoming President, Niven served as Biscuitville's chief brand officer. Earlier in her career, she served as VP of Field Marketing for Quiznos Corporation and served in a variety of marketing roles at RTM/Arby's Roast Beef Corporation, Burger King Corporation and Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation.