2025-09-01T04:12:51Z

Imagine being told you’re not good enough for a job, only to turn the tables years later and become the boss! That's exactly what happened to Julia Stewart, a remarkable entrepreneur who, after being denied a CEO position at Applebee's, ended up purchasing the entire company. This twist of fate is a testament to resilience and determination.

Stewart, who has a storied career as a restaurant group executive, recently shared her incredible journey during an appearance on the Matthews Mentality Podcast. At 70 years young, she recounted a pivotal moment from her past that would ultimately reshape her destiny. After Applebee's was acquired by IHOP in a $2 billion deal, Stewart had previously served as the restaurant chain’s president and was promised the role of CEO if she could lead the company to profitability.

With grit and perseverance, she took on the challenge and managed to build a dynamic new team that turned Applebee’s fortunes around. “What we did was pretty remarkable,” Stewart reflected. Within just three years, she revamped the brand, doubled its stock price, and sparked significant growth.

Feeling confident in her accomplishments, Stewart approached her CEO with the expectation of receiving the promotion she had worked so hard for. However, his response was shocking. “I said, ‘So I’m thinking it’s about time to be CEO,’” she recalled, expecting to hear good news. Instead, he simply said, “No.” When Stewart sought clarity, he bluntly added, “No, not ever.” What an unexpected blow! Disheartened but undeterred, she decided to resign and shifted her focus to IHOP, where she revitalized the brand over five years.

As fate would have it, Stewart's journey came full circle. While leading IHOP, she recognized that Applebee’s had potential and convinced the board of directors to acquire it. This bold move led to IHOP buying Applebee’s for a staggering $2.3 billion.

In a dramatic turn of events, after the acquisition was finalized, Stewart called her former boss to reveal the news. In a twist that could only be described as poetic justice, she informed him they “didn’t need two of us” in leadership, leading to his termination. Stewart then took the reins as chair and CEO of Dine Brands Global, the parent company, for a decade.

Even at 70, she refuses to slow down. Stewart is currently a board member at Bojangles and is the founder of a wellness app, proving that age is just a number when it comes to ambition.

This incredible story of resilience highlights how one woman's rejection turned into a remarkable success story, showcasing the power of persistence and the unexpected twists life can take.