Einstein Noah Restaurant Group announced the appointment of Rhonda J. Parish as chief legal officer and secretary, effective immediately. Parish succeeds Jill Sisson, who had announced her retirement in August 2009, but remained available to the company until her successor was named.

Parish most recently served as executive vice president, chief legal officer, and secretary of Denny’s Corporation and its predecessor companies from 1998 to 2008, after joining the company in 1995 as vice president, legal counsel. Prior to this, Parish served as assistant general counsel for Wal-Mart Stores Inc. from 1990 to 1994, and corporate counsel from 1983 to 1990. Parish started her career as an associate at Pettus, Johnson & Gibson and Storey & McCord, respectively.

Parish earned a B.S. degree in political science from the University of Central Arkansas and her J.D. degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law. Parish is a member of the American Bar Association, the South Carolina Bar Association, the Arkansas Bar Association, and the Arkansas Bar Association House of Delegates.

“I am delighted to have Rhonda as a key partner on our executive leadership team,” says Jeff O’Neill, CEO and president of Einstein Noah. “With her extensive background in the restaurant and retail industries, Rhonda brings a knowledge, expertise, and perspective that will make her a valuable asset to the Einstein Noah Restaurant Group.”

“I am excited to be joining Einstein Noah to help guide the company’s key business and growth initiatives and to lead its regulatory and legal requirements,” Parish says. “I believe that Einstein Noah has a very exciting future and look forward to being a part of its continued success.”