GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo., July 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., (NASDAQ: RRGB), a casual dining restaurant chain focused on serving an innovative selection of high-quality gourmet burgers in a family-friendly atmosphere, today announced the appointment of Cathy Cooney as senior vice president and Chief People Officer.  Cooney will be responsible for leading the development and execution of human resource strategies that will drive engagement, build strength and capabilities across functions and create a best in class restaurant organization that will consistently advance the company's business goals.

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Cooney brings to Red Robin nearly three decades of human resources experience, with a career that includes HR leadership roles in a number of industries including consumer brands, food distribution, healthcare and energy. 

"Cathy is an outstanding addition to the Red Robin team as we establish a human resources vision and strategies for building a world class team and grow organizational capabilities that drive superior business results," said Steve Carley, Red Robin's chief executive officer. "We are eager to tap into Cathy's vast experience, leadership skills, her passion for team member engagement and her many other talents that are key to fueling Red Robin's continued success." 

"I am excited to join a widely recognized and admired casual dining brand and be part of a great Red Robin team," said Cooney.  "I'm looking forward to working with my fellow Red Robin Team Members to develop the capabilities and talent across the organization to support Red Robin's future growth."

Before joining Red Robin, Cooney served as executive vice president of Human Resources for Carefusion, spearheading global HR following the $4 billion medical technology company's spinoff from Cardinal Health, Inc., a Fortune 20 healthcare leader where she served as senior vice president of human resources, Clinical Technologies and Services.  Prior to her 14-year career in the healthcare industry, Cooney served in several HR roles of increasing responsibility over an eight-year span for Pepsico, Inc., including senior director of Human Resources for Pepsico Food Systems and benefits leader for Frito-Lay, Inc.

Cooney earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of Missouri, Kansas City, Mo.

About Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (NASDAQ: RRGB)

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (www.redrobin.com), a casual dining restaurant chain founded in 1969 that operates through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Red Robin International, Inc., is the gourmet burger expert, famous for serving more than two dozen craveable, high-quality burgers with Bottomless Steak Fries^® in a fun environment. Red Robin's award-winning burgers have earned the title of Best Burger in the full-service category in the Zagat Fast Food Survey four years in a row. In addition to its many burger offerings, Red Robin serves a wide variety of salads, soups, appetizers, entrees, desserts and signature Mad Mixology^® Beverages. There currently are 478 Red Robin locations across the United States and Canada, including 340 company-owned Red Robin restaurants and five Red Robin's Burger Works locations, and 133 Red Robin restaurants operating under franchise agreements. Red Robin... YUMMM^®! Connect with Red Robin on Facebook and Twitter. 

SOURCE Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.