CHICAGO, November 2, 2025 - After being out of the foodservice limelight for years, former IHOP and Applebee’s CEO Julia Stewart returned to the stage during the Presidents Conference, sharing how she rose from waiting tables at IHOP to running the chain and its sister brand, Applebee’s.
Stewart, now the driving force behind a new wellness brand called Alurx, spoke to a packed ballroom of food-away-from-home operators and suppliers. But her comments seemed directed at the up-and-comers who had been on stage right before her. Each had been saluted for participating in a future-executive grooming program called Next Gen Execs that’s run by IFMA The Food Away from Home Association, presenter of the Presidents Conference.
Stewart went with the flow. Knowing the aspiring presidents and CEO were likely listening, she shared the mindset that helped her attain those lofty posts in a restaurant career that stretched over four decades.
The key, she said, is clarity.
“It all started with a clear vision,” said Stewart. “Set clear goals for yourself. Ask clear questions.”
Plus, she continued, “always surround yourself with people who are smarter than you. Lead with vision and purpose, stay curious.”
Attendees too young to remember Stewart’s 20-year tenure as CEO of IHOP and Dine Equity, the franchise company formed after Stewart choreographed the acquisition of Applebee’s, seemed every bit as rapt as the grey-haired members of the audience.
That younger cohort likely didn’t know that Stewart had risen through the operations of Stuart Anderson’s Black Angus and Taco Bell to become one of the most prominent CEOs in the business after taking the helm of IHOP in 2001. She was also one of the few women to lead a major restaurant chain back then.
She pulled off a financial coup six years later by acquiring Applebee’s in 2007 for about $2.1 billion in cash—a steal of a price for the then-largest casual-dining chain.
A holding company called Dine Equity was formed as the new parent of the two brands. It’s known today as Dine Brands Global.
Stewart plotted a strategy to boost Applebee’s revenues by pushing its menu up-market with offerings like steak and fire-grilled vegetables. The repositioning did not draw new customers as expected, and hardcore Applebee’s fans were turned off by the upscaling.
Stewart resigned from the public company in 2017—bidding farewell to Wall Street financial analysts via the concern’s usual quarterly conference call. Seldom does a departing executive address the financial community on her abrupt way out.
She largely dropped out of sight in the restaurant business. Her involvement was largely limited to serving on the boards of Bojangles, Fogo de Chao and BITE Acquisition.
During her career, Stewart noted how businesspeople often neglected their health while stewarding their enterprise. That led her to launch Alurx in 2020.
The company’s website provides this positioning statement for the venture: “Alurx offers pioneering support aimed at transforming daily habits, one step at a time.”
Stewart is serving the company as CEO.
The Presidents Conference is a three-day event for the senior management of companies that run and supply food-away-from-home businesses.
It is hosted by IFMA The Food Away from Home Association.
As Managing Editor for IFMA The Food Away from Home Association, Romeo is responsible for generating the group's news and feature content. He brings more than 40 years of experience in covering restaurants to the position.
Cover image courtesy: Closed Loop Project