Julia Stewart: The Woman Who Turned a Career Setback Into a $2.3 Billion Power Move

Some stories in business feel like they’re straight out of a movie. Julia Stewart’s journey is one of them. It has drama, betrayal, grit, and the ultimate comeback, making it a lesson for anyone who has ever been underestimated.

Back in the early 2000s, Stewart was the president of Applebee’s, one of America’s biggest restaurant chains. She was told that if she turned the company around, the CEO’s chair would be hers. And she did exactly that, profits went up, stock prices doubled, and the brand had new energy under her leadership. By all logic, she had earned the top spot.

But when she finally asked about the promised CEO role, the answer was a cold “No, not ever.” No explanation, no respect. For someone who had worked day and night to deliver results, it was nothing less than a slap in the face.

Now, here’s the turning point. Many people would have stayed bitter or complained endlessly. But Stewart chose a different road. She quit Applebee’s and joined IHOP as CEO, a company that was struggling badly at the time. With patience, strategy, and sheer determination, she revived IHOP and gave it fresh life.

Then came the twist. While looking for ways to expand IHOP, Stewart saw Applebee’s on the horizon again. This time, instead of asking for a promotion, she made a bold move, she convinced IHOP’s board to buy Applebee’s. The deal was worth a massive $2.3 billion, and suddenly the tables had turned.

The most poetic part? After the acquisition, Stewart called her old boss, the same person who once told her “never”, and let him know there wasn’t space for both of them at the top. He was out, and she was now in charge of both brands. It wasn’t revenge, she later explained, it was business. But it surely felt like closure.

For the next decade, Stewart ran the combined company, Dine Brands Global, as CEO and chairperson. Under her leadership, both Applebee’s and IHOP grew stronger. Even after stepping down, she stayed active in the business world, joining new boards and even launching a wellness app.

<p>The post Julia Stewart: The Woman Who Turned a Career Setback Into a $2.3 Billion Power Move first appeared on Hello Entrepreneurs.</p>