Parker’s Kitchen names new CEO
Parker's Kitchen has a new leader.
Brandon Hoffman began his career as a third-shift cashier at a Parker’s Kitchen convenience store at age 19. Today, nearly 30 years later, he has been named the chain’s CEO.
During that time, Hoffman became the architect of Parker’s Kitchen’s explosive growth. The Savannah, Ga.-based company’s stores, which average 5,000 sq. ft., now number nearly 100 throughout Georgia and South Carolina and will soon begin to penetrate key markets such as Jacksonville and Myrtle Beach.
“Brandon is an inspiring leader who truly serves as the heart and soul of our company,” said Parker’s Kitchen founder and executive chairman Greg Parker. “He’s data-centric and has his finger on the pulse of what makes Parker’s Kitchen exceptional. Brandon has worked his way to the top of our company, going from a third-shift CSR to CEO, which is a remarkable testament to his hard work as well as the career opportunities incredible at Parker’s Kitchen.”
He honed his operational skillset under the mentorship of Parker, founded and served as CEO of what was called Parker’s 50 years ago. Hoffman played a major role in the realization of the Parker’s Kitchen re-brand, standardizing store layout and emphasizing the company’s Southern-inspired, made-from-scratch menu.
The stores serve a full breakfast menu focused on Southern specialties that include fish & grits and biscuits & gravy. The lunch and dinner menu includes chicken and catfish sandwiches, pork chops, and livers & gizzards.
Hoffman’s former role as president is being filled by John Rudolfs, a former U.S. Navy officer who joined the chain in 2021 as chief development officer and previously served as an executive VP for Murphy Oil Corporation/Murphy USA and Chief Development Officer for MAPCO.
“Over the past four years, John has been responsible for adding 29 stores to the Parker’s Kitchen portfolio,” said Parker. “He has had a dramatic impact on the success of our company, helping us professionalize the way we buy and price gas, creating standards for construction and inventing the template we use for site selection.”
Parker’s Kitchen has been honored by Food and Wine as one of America’s Best Convenience Stores, as well as by Convenience Store News as the Convenience Foodservice Leader of the Year.
The company has also been listed on Inc. magazine’s 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America seven times.