Denied the CEO job at Applebee’s, she came back and fired the guy who said 'No'

Srinagar, Sept 01: Julia Stewart, now CEO of DineEquity Inc., recently joined the Matthews Mentality Podcast and shared a riveting story from her career’s full arc. Years after being rejected, she purchased the entire company, and her first move was to fire the very boss who once dismissed her.

As president of Applebee’s, Stewart successfully revitalized the brand, doubling its stock price. She says she was led to believe that delivering results would secure her promotion to CEO.

However, when she raised the topic with the then-chairman—backed by her performance—he responded curtly, “No—not ever,” without giving her any reason.

Stewart stepped away from Applebee’s. She next took the reins at IHOP, where she spent five years restoring its brand and growth trajectory. Stewart pitched strategic expansion and set her sights on Applebee’s. DineEquity, IHOP’ parent company, borrowed $2.3 billion to acquire Applebee’s. After the acquisition closed, Stewart personally informed the former Applebee’s CEO that—since there was no room for two leaders—he was being replaced.

Stewart went on to serve as chair and CEO of the parent company, Dine Brands Global, for a decade. At 70, she is still working. She's currently a board member at Bojangles, among other places, and the founder of a wellness app.Bottom of Form