Ex-Applebee’s exec was told she’d never be CEO—she bought the chain and fired her naysayer: ‘We don’t need two of us, so I’m gonna have to let you go’
Julia Stewart, a former Applebee's executive, faced rejection when she was denied the CEO position despite her success in turning the company around. After purchasing Applebee's for over $2 billion, she informed her former boss of the leadership change, highlighting her triumph over naysayers. Stewart's story is one of resilience and determination in the face of skepticism from the industry.
- ▪Julia Stewart was president of Applebee's and helped the company achieve significant growth.
- ▪Despite her success, she was told by the CEO that she would never become CEO.
- ▪Stewart later acquired Applebee's for $2.1 to $2.3 billion and informed her former boss of the leadership change.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Many professionals will encounter naysayers who believe they can’t achieve their ambitious goals, whether that be bad bosses, skeptical investors, or doubtful professors. But Julia Stewart—a serial executive who has led operations across various billion-dollar American casual dining chains—had a gratifying career moment after being snubbed for CEO. Recommended Video It was 1998, and Stewart was serving as president of Applebee’s after a seven-year stint as Taco Bell’s national senior VP of franchise operations. The restaurant chain was struggling and needed an industry powerhouse to help turn things around. So Applebee’s leader presented a game-plan to Stewart: Get the struggling company back on track, and she will have proven herself enough to take the coveted chief executive role.
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