| After a tough CrossFit workout, I’m always craving healthy foods. One of my go-tos? Crunchy salads with nearly every fresh ingredient you can think of packed into them. Since taking care of our bodies is something many of us pride ourselves on here in the Thrive Global community, I reached out to the CEO of one of my favorite places at which I frequently succumb to my cravings – Tender Greens. Not only a badass female corporate leader, Denyelle Bruno is a luxury brand machine. Denyelle spent 20 years in retail leadership roles, most recently as President of Retail Operations at Drybar. A Los Angeles native, she has worked with some of the most renowned brands including Apple, Peet’s Coffee & Tea and Macy’s to name a few. During her time at Apple, Denyelle was one of a seven-member team asked to create a retail experience for Apple Computer, thus creating and overseeing the rollout of the first 25 Apple Stores. At Drybar, she opened 55 locations in just three years all while maintaining the company culture and enhancing the entrepreneurial spirit of the business. Now tell me you don’t want to learn a little (LOT) more about her. You can’t. OK so tell me, how do you describe Tender Greens? Conceptualized on the West Coast, Tender Greens puts an elevated spin on the comfort dishes you love, delivering inspired food, friendly service and great value in a comfortable space. Each of our 28 kitchens nationwide is run by its own chef who holds your food to a higher standard. We explore local markets and experiment with ingredients to create distinctive plates you’ll love. What was the hardest thing about starting your role as CEO of Tender Greens? Jumping in during the early stages of 3rd party delivery. Consumer behavior is changing and it’s anyone’s guess where it all lands. We’re running with no playbook. |
“Aging is an extraordinary process where you become the person you always should have been.”
David Bowie
What is your “why” for joining Tender Greens as CEO? Why does this matter so much to you?
I really wanted to lead a company that I felt had a great future, was socially responsible and that made the works better.
What’s one piece of advice you wish someone would have told you before you started?
Get incredibly familiar with the competitive landscape and learn all you can about the impact of delivery.
What is one health tip you have for our readers for 2019?
Eat good food, whole food, real food. Good and healthy eating is more than labels like “organic” or counting calories and carbs. It’s thinking about every part of the chain leading up to what you eat.