US restaurant chain Buffets has appointed Tama Looney as Director of Consumer Insights, responsible for developing and executing all new product, consumer and brand research, as well as secondary research projects to help identify emerging consumer trends for the sector.

Reporting to CMO Jason Abelkop, she also takes responsibility for the Buffets' SMS texting and email-based loyalty program, ‘Crave Connection.’

She brings more than thirteen years of experience in MR and analysis, both client and agency side, working with brands including Arby's, Burger King, Delta Airlines, SunTrust and a number of Southeast-based homebuilders. She holds an Executive MBA from Georgia State University and a BA in Psychology from the University of West Georgia.

The hire coincides with Buffets’ reorganisation of its marketing agency roster, part of its plan to focus on the customer and create more ‘real connections’ with its guests.

The company currently operates 350 restaurants in 35 states - ten Tahoe Joe's Famous Steakhouses and the rest steak-buffet restaurants - and employs around 18,000 people.

Web site: www.buffet.com

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