John Haley featured in UofL Magazine

Picture of John Haley

John Haley (BFA 2015) is featured in UofL Magazine's Spotlight:

Hite Art Institute alumnus John Haley was tasked with a big job right after graduation: take an iconic, but dated, fast food restaurant design and make it modern, inviting and as fresh as the fish they serve.

Haley, the brand director for development at Long John Silver’s, used his architecture and interior design skills to completely redesign the flagship Long John Silver’s in east Louisville. Gone are the wooden planks reminiscent of a seafood shack; they’ve been swapped out for a contemporary design that Haley hopes evoke a coastal fishing experience.

“The challenge was to make us stand out,” Haley said. “We wanted everything from the design to the furniture to be simple, direct and comfortable.” Haley, who earned degrees in communication and interior design, incorporated cutting-edge technology for the menu boards and drive-thru, and included modern furniture with a nautical twist. He also added a Kentucky touch by using a local artist to paint a mural on the side of the building.

“My goal is to make this restaurant homegrown and relevant to the community,” he said.