Parker’s Kitchen has appointed Brandon Hofmann (pictured left) as CEO effective immediately, succeeding Greg Parker (pictured center), the company founder who served as CEO for the past 50 years. Parker will transition from CEO to executive chairman. The convenience-store chain also named John Rudolfs (pictured right) as president and CFO. Hofmann and Rudolfs will both report to Parker.
“I plan to stay involved with Parker’s Kitchen because I love creating opportunity for others and giving back to the community in meaningful ways,” said Parker. “Truly effective leaders always try to replace themselves with leaders who are better than they were. Brandon and John are both truly outstanding leaders with bright futures.”
Prior to his new position, Hofmann was president of Parker’s Kitchen and is the architect behind the “award-winning company’s explosive expansion plans, strategic marketing campaigns and acclaimed Best Place to Work initiatives,” the company said in a statement.
Hofmann oversees operations at nearly 100 Parker’s Kitchen stores across Georgia and South Carolina. He is also overseeing the company’s expansion into new markets, including Jacksonville, Florida, Columbia, South Carolina, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Hofmann began his career in the convenience-store industry at the age of 19, working as a third-shift cashier at a Parker’s store in Hinesville, Georgia. Within the company, he has served in a variety of leadership roles, including president, chief operating officer, chief marketing officer and district manager. Hofmann led Parker’s rebranding from Parker’s to Parker’s Kitchen, emphasizing the company’s award-winning Southern-inspired, made-from-scratch menu, the company said in a statement.
“Brandon is an inspiring leader who truly serves as the heart and soul of our company,” said 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 incredible career opportunities at Parker’s Kitchen.”
Prior to his new position, Rudolfs served as the company’s chief development officer. He joined the company in 2021. Rudolfs was a former U.S. Navy officer and served as the executive vice president for Murphy Oil Corp./Murphy USA and chief development officer for MAPCO before joining Parker’s Kitchen. He has more than 20 years of industry experience. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, Rudolfs was awarded the U.S. Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal and numerous other service medals and commendations.
“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. I know that John has what it takes to guide Parker’s Kitchen through its next growth phase and to help us achieve our ambitious goals.”
Parker Co.’s is No. 86 on CSP’s 2024 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by store count.
Founded in 1976 as a one-store operation in Midway, Georgia, Parker’s Kitchen has more than 90 c-stores and is based in Savannah, Georgia. The company employs nearly 1,800 team members throughout Georgia and South Carolina and completes more than a million transactions weekly.
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