Red Robin Announces Departure of CMO Kevin Mayer

Red Robin has had a bit of a corporate shakeup this month, with Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Kevin Mayer recently announcing that he is leaving the company.

Nation’s Restaurant News reports that the company stated in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission that it does not currently have a severance agreement and that one would be amended. Mayer’s departure was not explained, and no information on a temporary successor was provided.

“Kevin Mayer has departed Red Robin to pursue other opportunities. During his tenure, Kevin played a key role leading the marketing team and supporting the North Star Plan. We thank Kevin for his contributions and wish him well in his future endeavors,” a spokesperson for the casual dining chain said to the outlet.

Mayer’s assistance in implementing the chain’s five-point “North Star” turnaround strategy earned her a spot on Nation’s Restaurant News’ Power List in 2024. Since then, Red Robin has increased its local marketing efforts, redesigned its loyalty program, and used influencer campaigns to reach younger consumers.

Get Engaged at Red Robin

In better news for the casual dining chain, it recently made headlines when it urged its fans to give their partners a Valentine’s Day ring, specifically an onion ring. If someone popped the question with an onion ring at the restaurant, a $10K diamond sparkler was up for grabs.

An Instagram post stated in late January, “Say ‘YES!’ to an Onion Ring proposal this Valentine’s Day and Red Robin will replace it with a diamond engagement ring. Red Robin is giving one lucky couple a real engagement ring. Ready for your chance to win some wedding bling?”

“Red Robin fans love our Towering Onion Rings, so we decided to turn that love into something more permanent for a pair of lovebirds this Valentine’s Day,” said GJ Hart, president and CEO of Red Robin, in a press release. “With many couples choosing to select their engagement rings together, what better way to say, ‘I do’ than with an onion ring, followed by the excitement of picking out your forever ring together?”

The first step is to use one of Red Robin’s onion rings to pop the question. Next, post a video of the proposal and the couple’s passionate romance from Feb. 13 to Feb. 19. Patrons are required to tag the establishment in these posts.

The proposal must be made for the first time by two unmarried people and result in an engagement to qualify. You are not permitted to submit a proposal on someone else’s behalf; you must submit your own.