Episode 003: From Consultant to CEO- The Ultimate Guide to Leadership, Branding, and Innovation

John Peyton is the CEO of Dine Brands, the parent company of Applebee's, IHOP and Fuzzy's Taco Shop; Hear how his experience at Starwood helps him put hospitality at the heart of restaurants

Oct 25, 2024

Fancy Like Applebee’s

Thanks very much to everyone who listened to last week’s episode. I was overwhelmed with messages about how impressive Crystal is, what absolute gems of wisdom she shared, and how much you guys want to grab a drink with her.

I’m really excited to tell you about this week’s guest on Suite Success: Masters of Hospitality. John Peyton is the CEO of Dine Brands, the parent company of Applebee’s, IHOP and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop. I had the pleasure of working with John at Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and felt like every time I was around him, I was watching a masterclass in leadership, branding and innovation. This conversation is no exception.

Why should you listen?

John has a unique ability to blend humility and humor with his deep knowledge. I think it’s what makes him such an inspiring leader—someone his team, his franchisees, and the media all want to follow. I was blown away by the amount of advice and inspiration John packed into one conversation. Here are a few of my favorite parts of this episode:

Why Hotel Beds are White: Hear the behind the scenes stories about why the industry shifted to white bed linens, how W Hotels came to be, and more.
Are you ‘Fancy Like’ Walker Hayes? Listen to John share how Applebee’s reacted to the country star’s hit single, and learn how to maximize viral marketing.
How to Master Public Speaking: If you’ve ever seen John speak publicly, you know he looks like he was born to be on stage. John shares that he’s actually an introvert (!) and gives his tips and tricks for mastering the mic.
The Secret to the Work/Life Balance: What does work/life balance look like from the top seat at Dine? You’ll have to listen to find out.

Apple Podcasts:

Spotify:

YouTube:

If you like what you hear/see, it would mean the world to me if you’d like, subscribe, review - all the things that matter to podcasts. And until next week, here’s to your suite success.

xx Katie

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