E59: Julia Stewart Former CEO of IHOP | Blueprint for Rising to the Top
In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, host Kyle Matthews sits down with Julia Stewart, a legendary leader who has shaped some iconic restaurant brands, including Taco Bell, IHOP, and Applebee's. Julia shares her remarkable career journey, recounting her early days as a food server at IHOP to becoming the CEO and spearheading IHOP's $2.3 billion acquisition of Applebee's, creating the world's largest full-service restaurant company. She also discusses her pivot from the restaurant industry to launching 𝐴𝑙𝑢𝑟𝑥, a cutting-edge wellness company. The episode is packed with invaluable lessons on resilience, innovation, and the importance of mentorship and company culture.00:00 The Call That Changed Everything00:51 From IHOP Waitress to CEO02:14 Pancake Memories and Family Stories03:48 The Journey to Health Tech04:50 Challenges in Raising Capital06:04 Breaking Stereotypes in Health Tech07:02 From Restaurant Giants to Wellness Innovator08:46 The Importance of User Experience20:05 Teaching Beyond the Classroom25:46 The Visionary Behind Taco Bell's 24/7 Model30:03 The Power of a Career Plan32:23 Climbing the Career Ladder33:23 Facing Gender Barriers35:09 Sacrifices and Choices37:45 Taking Risks and Learning39:33 Mentorship and Learning from Failures41:48 Leadership and Accountability56:32 Handling Personal Tragedy01:01:51 Women in the Workplace01:05:17 Navigating Career Decisions01:05:36 The Importance of Company Culture01:06:26 Motivations and Achievements01:10:42 Turning Around IHOP01:12:08 The Applebee's Acquisition01:22:34 Creating a Unified Culture01:28:28 Balancing Work and Family01:37:29 Final Thoughts and Advice