Dawn Lafreeda is the largest single-owner franchisee within the Denny's restaurant chain and one of the most successful female restaurant franchise owners in the United States. She serves as a Director and Treasurer of the Board for the Denny's Franchisee Association and is an active member on several Denny's, Inc. committees including The Development Brand Advisory Council, The Equipment Task Force and The Corporate Social Responsibility Committee.
In recognition of her business acumen and commitment to service, Ms. Lafreeda has received over 70 awards and honors. Recently she was featured on Oprah Daily's Power Shift program for her support of the Dress For Success Program, a global non-profit program designed to support women in business. In addition, she has been recognized as: Working Woman magazine's 500 Largest Women Owned Businesses in the Country, Denny's Operator of the Year, The Presidential Leadership Award from Big Brothers Big Sisters, Denny's Developer of the Year, The Anchor Award from Equality Texas, The 2019 NAWBO Women's Business Owner of the Year, The Equality Award from The Human Rights Campaign, and Denny's President Award, among others. Of all her accomplishments, her proudest honor is being mom to her 18 year old twin sons, Cruise and Connor.