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Biscuitville Fresh Southern Promotes Five Leaders to New Roles

March 5, 2026

| All, Announcements, Leadership, Promotions

Biscuitville Fresh Southern Promotes Five Leaders to New Roles

https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/biscuitville-fresh-southern-promotes-five-leaders-to-new-roles/

Biscuitville Fresh Southern announced the promotion of five internal leaders whose expertise, dedication and commitment to the company’s values continue to strengthen the brand and support its long-term growth.

“Recognizing and promoting our internal talent is one of the most meaningful ways we invest in Biscuitville’s future,” said Biscuitville President and CEO Kathie Niven. “Each of these leaders embodies our culture, leads with integrity and makes a lasting impact on our people and our restaurants. I’m incredibly proud of their growth and excited to see how they continue to elevate our business.”

Wilson Douglas has been promoted from Marketing Manager, Digital Omnichannel to Director of Marketing, Digital Omnichannel and reports to Kristie Mitchell, Chief Marketing Officer. Douglas has been a Biscuitville team member for over five years, and within his tenure has played an integral part in optimizing the company’s website, building the Biscuit Club email program, launching SMS messaging to guests, and improving search channels for customer experience and engagement. Most recently, Douglas has played an integral role on the project team deploying Biscuitville’s mobile ordering, delivering a best-in-class digital experience.

Nathan Gatto has been promoted from Director of Operations Services to Senior Director of Operations Services and reports to Aku Patel, Vice President of Restaurant Excellence. Gatto has played a critical role in advancing operational systems, strengthening execution and driving consistency across Biscuitville restaurants. Known for his disciplined approach and attention to detail, he has delivered measurable improvements while also building trust, developing teams and fostering an environment where people feel supported and proud of their work.

Melissa Ranken has been promoted from Director of Finance to Senior Director of Finance and reports to Kevin Bennett, Chief Finance Officer. Ranken’s financial discipline, collaborative leadership and data-driven approach were instrumental in helping Biscuitville exceed its EBITDA target during a challenging year. She consistently demonstrates accountability and ownership, and her promotion reflects both her impact to date and the company’s confidence in her continued leadership as Biscuitville builds on recent success.

Alon Vanterpool has been promoted from Director of Internal Communications to Senior Director of Communications and reports to Kristie Mitchell, Chief Marketing Officer. A seven-year Biscuitville team member, Vanterpool has led internal communications for the past five years and played a key role in supporting company culture through a variety of platforms such as goHappy, an SMS platform that allows Vanterpool to communicate with every employee in the organization, resulting in an increase in the company’s engagement scores, BV Comm, an email-based platform that communicates critical updates and reinforces company culture, and LinkedIn. In her expanded role, she will oversee both internal and external communications, including media relations tied to grand openings and promotional initiatives. Vanterpool’s expanded role reflects her passion, integrity and strong leadership as a steward of the Biscuitville brand.

Melinda Webster has been promoted from Benefits and Compensation Manager to Director of Compensation and Benefits, reporting to Belinda Kyle, Chief People Officer. Webster has consistently supported team members while continuing to elevate the end-user experience for our benefits programs. This promotion reflects Webster’s exceptional contributions to the Biscuitville team and the authentic, grateful and respectful ways in which she leads others.

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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