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Biscuitville Celebrates at NCRLA 2025 Stars of the Industry Awards Gala.

February 26, 2025

| All, Awards

The 2025 Stars of the Industry Awards Gala shone the spotlight on Biscuitville Fresh Southern® in a big way, as the Greensboro-based company received recognition in two separate award categories at this year’s event, presented February 24, 2025, by the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA).

Bruce Conyers, long-time Operator at Biscuitville’s Huffman Mill Road location in Burlington, won recognition as a Manager of the Year, the first time a Biscuitville nominee has won in this Stars of the Industry category. Conyers, who celebrates 44 years of service with Biscuitville this year, has the longest tenure within the entire three-state organization. In evaluating Restaurant Manager of the Year nominations, NCRLA considers their outstanding leadership qualities, awe-inspiring community outreach and exceptional service and character. NCRLA presented just three Manager of the Year awards this year.

During the gala, Biscuitville Executive Chairman Burney Jennings also received NCRLA’s Griff and June Glover Award for his service to the association. NCRLA presents this prestigious award annually to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and made significant contributions to NCRLA during the prior year. Established in 1933, this award celebrates members who exemplify commitment, energy and service in helping NCRLA achieve its mission of supporting North Carolina’s restaurant, lodging and hospitality industry through advocacy, education and community engagement.

“We are so pleased Bruce Conyers has received this Manager of the Year award, presented by the leading industry group in our state. We could not agree more that Bruce is a Star of the Industry,” said Biscuitville President and CEO Kathie Niven. “We also want to thank NCRLA for recognizing our own Burney Jennings for his active engagement with NCRLA and providing leadership that has contributed to the health of our overall industry in North Carolina.”

While it is the first time a Biscuitville team member has won a Manager of the Year award, 2025 is the fourth year in a row that a Biscuitville employee has been named a Star of the Industry by NCRLA. Prior winners were in the Employee of the Year category: In 2022, NCRLA honored Shift Leader Bonnie Davis (3209 Gate City Boulevard, Greensboro), in 2023, Assistant Manager Tiffany Oates (1312 S. Main Street in Laurinburg) was honored, and in 2024 Kathy Baize (745 W. Dixie Drive in Asheboro) received the Star of the Industry award.

JOHN BRITTAIN​

Vice President, Information Technology​

John Brittain was promoted to Vice President of Information Technology in 2024 after serving as Senior IT Director of Vendor Management since 2021. He helps shape the company’s IT strategy and technology initiatives in support of growth and innovation. Brittain previously held roles with the Greensboro Housing Authority and AT&T. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

KATHIE NIVEN​

President, Chief Executive Officer​

Kathie Niven joined Biscuitville in 2011 and led the brand’s transformation to its FRESH SOUTHERN® identity. She became President in 2018 and CEO in 2021, guiding the company’s growth to more than 85 restaurants across the Carolinas and Virginia while strengthening its people-first culture. Under her leadership, Biscuitville has earned national recognition, including being named USA Today Readers’ Choice Best Fast Food Breakfast in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Niven previously held executive roles with Quiznos, Arby’s, Burger King and Krispy Kreme. A graduate of Elon University, she also completed advanced leadership training through the Center for Creative Leadership, UNC Kenan-Flagler and Harvard University.

KEVIN BENNETT​

Chief Financial Officer

Kevin Bennett joined Biscuitville in 2016 as Chief Financial Officer and oversees the company’s financial strategy and planning in support of long-term growth. He leads teams responsible for accounting, finance, development, facilities, supply chain, risk and compensation-support services, providing insights that guide business performance. Prior to Biscuitville, Bennett held leadership roles with Circle K Stores, The Pantry/Kangaroo Express and Deloitte. He earned a B.S. in Accountancy from Villanova University and an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.

BELINDA KYLE

Chief People Officer

Belinda Kyle joined Biscuitville in 2022 as Chief People Officer, bringing more than 30 years of hospitality operations and human resources experience. Her career includes leadership roles with Treasure Island Resort & Casino, Romano’s Macaroni Grill and Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. Kyle holds a degree in human resource management from the University of Phoenix and is a SHRM Senior Certified Professional.

BLAKE JENNINGS​

Chief Development Officer

Blake Jennings became Biscuitville’s Chief Development Officer in 2023 and oversees real estate development, construction, facilities and IT. Since joining the company in 2018, he has played a key role in building the development pipeline supporting Biscuitville’s accelerated growth. Jennings previously worked in mixed-use and multifamily development with Kane Realty Corporation and held finance and asset management roles at First Potomac Realty Trust. He earned a finance degree from Wake Forest University’s School of Business.

JIM MCCURLEY

Chief Restaurant Excellence Officer

Jim McCurley was named Chief Restaurant Excellence Officer in 2023 after joining Biscuitville in 2019 as Vice President of Culinary Operations. In his current role, McCurley leads enterprise-wide functions across Operations, Culinary, Strategic Planning and Concept Development to deliver measurable impacts on sales, profitability and guest experience. McCurley holds a B.S. in restaurant/food services management and an MBA from Johnson & Wales University and is Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt and Scrum Master certified.

KRISTIE MITCHELL

Chief Marketing Officer

Kristie Mitchell became Chief Marketing Officer in 2023 after leading Brand and Marketing since 2018. She oversees Biscuitville’s brand strategy, marketing, creative direction, customer experience initiatives, and traffic growth efforts. Since joining the leadership team, she has helped guide the company’s comprehensive rebrand, launched signature initiatives including “Life After 2®” and “The Flavor of Local®,” and played a key role in establishing the company’s Accessibility Committee and Project Management Office. Her leadership has helped strengthen Biscuitville’s brand presence and community impact across the Southeast. Mitchell was recognized as a 2024 Triad Business Journal Outstanding Woman in Business and named to Lunchbox’s 2026 Top 30 Women in Food list.

LARRY WILLIAMS​

Chief Supply Chain Officer​

Larry Williams joined Biscuitville in 1989 and today serves as Chief Supply Chain Officer, overseeing distribution center operations, procurement, transportation and warehouse technology. His leadership has helped build a reliable internal distribution system that supports the company’s multistate growth.

KIM AVERY

Vice President of Operations​

Kim Avery was promoted to Vice President of Operations in 2024 and oversees all Biscuitville restaurants across North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Since joining the company in 2020, she has advanced through roles including Area Director, Region Director and Region Vice President. In her spare time, she is an award-winning mixed-media artist who supports charitable causes through donated artwork.

BURNEY JENNINGS

Executive Chair

In 1996, Burney took over the reins of the family business from his father, Maurice, as President and CEO. Today he continues to serve as Executive Chair of Biscuitville Fresh Southern®, a company that’s grown under his leadership into an $80 million business with over 70 locations (and counting). A graduate of Elon University, Burney serves on its Board of Trustees and has received its “Young Alumnus of the Year” award, as well as its “Legends of Business” award. He’s also active with the Greensboro Rotary, Greensboro Sports Council, and Greensboro Partnership. Triad Business Journal named Burney one of its “2016 Most Admired CEOs in the Triad.” He and his wife Dina, also an Elon grad, have four children: Blake, Bailey, Mary Frances, and John. In his free time, Burney likes spending time with his family in the mountains of North Carolina and also enjoys running, hiking, and golf.

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