GLENDALE, CA — The restaurant chain Applebee’s has named Susan Nelson, an industry vet with agency and in-house experience, its new VP of communications.

Nelson is charged with using storytelling to drive business across Applebee’s restaurants. She will provide strategic leadership in all aspects of communications and public affairs.

She joins the company from consumer, financial and analytics firm CoreLogic, where she served as VP of marketing and communications.

Before that, Nelson spent more than 12 years at McDonald’s, where she held a range of communications positions before being named senior communications leader for McDonald’s USA. In that role, Nelson led strategies that fostered internal and external brand advocacy and ambassadorship.

“Susan is a powerful addition to a formidable leadership team at Applebee’s who, along with our franchisees, are driving our momentum and growth today,” said CMO Joel Yashinsky. “Her big brand experience and ability to connect to our guests makes her the ideal choice to grow Applebee’s internal and external communications activities.”