Sizzler announced the hiring of Kristina Van Bruggen as the steak, seafood, and salad chain's new vice president of marketing. Van Bruggen brings more than 17 years of marketing and advertising experience to Sizzler, working on high-profile brands, such as PepsiCo and the Pepsi Foodservice Division, Pizza Hut, and Coors Brewing Company. She most recently worked at TracyLocke in Orange County, California, as the senior agency lead for T-Mobile USA's national field marketing team.

“Kristina’s familiarity with the hospitality industry—especially franchise systems and agency interactions—along with extensive consumer marketing experience made her a great candidate,” says Kerry Kramp, CEO and president. “As Sizzler expands its broad consumer appeal, Kristina will be an important advocate in effectively communicating Sizzler’s story to new, as well as, loyal guests.”

Kramp says Van Bruggen’s background includes successfully integrating a wide range of marketing strategies from print and broadcast advertising and public relations to social and digital media.

"I'm thrilled to join the Sizzler family and very excited to work with a great group of franchisees, who have such an amazing history with this brand," Van Bruggen says. "Sizzler was a part of my life growing up in Southern California, and I’m proud to be a part of the company's future growth, delivering a lifetime of memories to the next generation of Sizzler fans.”

Van Bruggen is a graduate of San Diego State University.