Operations

Sonny's BBQ names chief kindess officer

Kennon Adkinson, the chain's senior director of catering, has taken on the role of chief kindness officer.

July 29, 2020

Sonny's BBQ has created the position of chief kindness officer to help spread kindness. Kennon Adkinson, the chain's senior director of catering, has taken on the role his peers from among more than 5,000 Sonny's employees nominated him for the gig. Part of his role will be to share kindness challenges, stories, photos, videos and testimonies of kindness in Sonny's restaurants between employees and guests in nearly 100 local communities.

"Kindness is the theme, and in a year of uncertainty it is needed now more than ever," Adkinson said in a company press release. "I'm honored to be chosen and even more excited to get started in this role and help to spread kindness and connect with Sonny's team members and guests. When we collectively take part in making the world a better place for our families, our friends, our neighbors and our children, the good will always outshine some of our darkest times."

Kennon, who earns a $5,000 bonus for accepting the title, has hit the ground running with a Kindness Challenge that's taking the company by storm with over 25 different random acts of kindness posted on social media.

Sonny's launched its internal search for a CKO on Random Acts of Kindness Day in February of this year as part of its effort — 'Q the Kindness — to highlight spreading acts of kindness through the Spirit of BBQ.

The brand encourages everyone to share their stories of kindness on social media using #QtheKindness. Any kind act, no matter big or small, can inspire others to do the same, Adkinson said.

Sonny's BBQ was founded by Sonny Tillman and his wife, Lucille, in 1968 in Gainesville, Florida.