Overview
- Outlets this week highlighted Stewart’s Matthews Mentality Podcast recounting of her path from Applebee’s president to leading IHOP.
- She says Applebee’s leadership promised her the CEO role if she restored performance, then rebuffed her with “No, not ever” when she asked for the job.
- By her account, Applebee’s profits rose and the stock doubled in about three years before she resigned and moved to IHOP to execute a five‑year turnaround.
- Stewart says IHOP borrowed about $2.3 billion to acquire Applebee’s in the 2000s, after which she told the then‑CEO they “didn’t need two of us” and let him go.
- She later served a decade as chair and CEO of Dine Brands Global and remains active on boards, including Bojangles, as well as founding a wellness app.