Good things happen over a cup of coffee. For Diana Hovey, a cup of coffee with Jim Vinz led to an opportunity to join a team where great things were brewing. Diana joined Corner Bakery Cafe in 2006, taking an active role in shaping strategic brand positioning for what she describes as “the ultimate neighborhood gathering spot.” Diana is passionate about every individual Corner Bakery Cafe, and she emphasizes each location’s uniqueness as a primary point of difference for its guests. The secret to her success: understanding that the key to growth is to find special ways to fit into the guest’s life. She makes it a priority to discover the needs and preferences of every neighborhood, offering a consistent product and experience while creating a feel that fits the personality of the neighborhood. This philosophy has proved effective and will be a large part of Corner Bakery’s franchising program, where the goal is to capitalize on the insights of franchise partners to create unique neighborhood cafes on corners everywhere. Getting into the hearts and minds of guests has been the focus of Diana’s career from the very beginning. She got her start in public relations and marketing with T.G.I. Friday’s and spent time with Brinker International as a marketing executive before starting her own marketing consulting firm in 2003. She is active in the National Restaurant Association, serving on the board for the Marketing Executives Group. Diana and her husband live in Dallas and have two children. FAVORITE CORNER BAKERY CAFE MENU ITEM: The California Grille Panini – it has such a unique flavor profile with artichoke hearts, roasted tomatoes, spinach … it’s like taking a bite out of a garden.
