Niven has been serving as president of the restaurant chain since 2018 and replaces Burney Jennings '87, who now serves as executive chair
Kathie S. Niven, who joined Greensboro-based Biscuitville Fresh Southern in 2011 and became president in early 2018, has been named the company鈥檚 chief executive officer, the company announced. Burney Jennings ’87, who formerly held that role, will become executive chair.
鈥淜athie has tremendous passion and a deep knowledge of Biscuitville and its culture, and she鈥檚 fully prepared to assume the role of Chief Executive Officer,鈥 Jennings said in a press release. 鈥淏iscuitville has thrived under Kathie鈥檚 leadership as President during the last several years, and I鈥檓 thrilled that she has accepted new responsibilities as Chief Executive Officer.鈥
In her role as president, Niven has continued the company’s growth strategy and has expanded its traditional footprint into the Fayetteville and Charlotte markets in North Carolina. 鈥淏urney 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. I look forward to continuing their vision for Biscuitville and being a good steward of their people-first culture,鈥 Niven said in a press release. 鈥淥ur 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.鈥
Prior to becoming president, Niven served as Biscuitville鈥檚 chief brand officer.聽Earlier in her career, she served as vice president of field marketing for Quiznos Corporation and served in a variety of marketing roles at RTM/Arby鈥檚 Roast Beef Corporation, Burger King Corporation and Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation.聽Niven graduated from Elon in 1989 with a degree in English and a minor in communications.聽Nation鈥檚 Restaurant News, a leading food service industry magazine, included Niven in its list of 鈥2018 New Top Restaurant Executives.鈥