First 90 Days on the Job of P.F. Chang’s Chief Marketing Officer

Holly Smith, Chief Marketing Officer of P.F. Chang’s, is focused on reconnecting one of the restaurant industry’s most recognizable brands with modern diners. As a marketing leader, she blends storytelling, digital engagement, and data-driven strategy to keep the brand culturally relevant.

Watch now to learn how Holly Smith is rethinking restaurant marketing, why engagement matters more than followers, and how P.F. Chang’s plans to stay relevant with modern diners.

Sponsored by:

• TOAST AllIn1 Restaurant POS

Chapters:

[02:11] - Why Holly Smith Joined P.F. Chang’s

[04:18] - Leading a Marketing Team in the First 90 Days

[10:03] - Should CEOs Create Social Media Content?

[24:01] - Lessons from the Boardroom

[25:20] - Innovation and the Future of P.F. Chang’s

SPONSORS:

RESTAURANT INFLUENCERS IS PRESENTED BY TOAST —

Restaurant Influencers is brought to you by Toast, the powerful restaurant point of sale and management system that helps restaurants improve operations, increase sales and create a better guest experience.

• Toast AllIn1 Restaurant POS

Episode Links:

Holly Smith LinkedIn

P.F. Chang’s LinkedIn

P.F. Chang’s

P.F. Chang’s Instagram

P.F. Chang’s Tik Tok

P.F. Chang’s Facebook

P.F. Chang’s Twitter/X

Key Takeaways:

Brand Equity Is a Powerful Starting Point: Holly Smith saw an opportunity in the strong memories people already have of P.F. Chang’s. By reconnecting guests with the experiences they loved, she believes the brand can reignite loyalty while introducing the concept to a new generation of diners.

Modern Marketing Is About Engagement: Instead of focusing on follower counts, Smith emphasizes meaningful interactions with guests online. From influencer partnerships to responding to comments, engagement and conversation now define how brands measure digital success.

Data Should Guide Every Decision: Restaurants generate enormous amounts of information, and Smith believes the smartest brands use it. From loyalty programs to advertising strategies, data-driven insights help P.F. Chang’s make more informed marketing decisions and improve the guest experience.

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ABOUT HOLLY SMITH —

Holly Smith is the Chief Marketing Officer of P.F. Chang’s, where she leads the brand’s global marketing strategy and works to strengthen its relevance with modern diners. A seasoned marketing and brand growth leader, Smith has built a career helping iconic restaurant brands evolve and scale. Known as a commercial brand architect, she has led transformative initiatives at concepts including Rosa Mexicano, Yardbird, Macaroni Grill, and Joe’s Crab Shack.

ABOUT RESTAURANT INFLUENCERS —

Restaurant Influencers is a weekly video podcast series presented by Entrepreneur Media and Cali BBQ Media. Every week host and restaurant owner Shawn Walchef (@shawnpwalchef) talks with business leaders like Shaquille O’Neal, Rob Dyrdek, Emeril Lagasse, Mayim Bialik, Jon Taffer, Robert Irvine, Toast co-founder Aman Narang, and more, about their secrets to Smartphone Storytelling, marketing, branding, and how to show up where customers are engaging online.

Published by Entrepreneur Media

Produced by Cali BBQ Media