Cheryl Bachelder - "Dare To Serve"Register Now

CHERYL A. BACHELDER, CEO of Popeyes Lousiana Kitchen

 

TOPIC: "Dare To Serve:  How to Drive Superior Service By Serving Others"

DESCRIPTION:  Cheryl will talk about the value of servant leadership – as a path to superior performance—and how it is relevant to Christian entrepreneurial leaders. Cheryl takes you firsthand through her transformation of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc., a public company where she has created a workplace that inspires both service to one another and achievement of top tier results. Her leadership has led to a 50% increase in market share, increased restaurant sales and profits, as well as a remarkable growth in the value of Popeyes’ stock. Cheryl is known for reinvigorating great brands and inspiring leaders to reach their full potential – and the business outcomes are exceptional. She will also talk about how she has embraced entrepreneurial concepts such as being an innovator in her industry and by empowering her fast-growing network of franchisees. Her speaking style is warm, approachable, and conversational. She shares more than 35 years of leadership experience in companies like Procter & Gamble, The Gillette Company, and RJR Nabisco. Cheryl’s book Dare To Serve, has received praise from Stephen Covey, Ken Blanchard, and many others.

BIO: Cheryl A. Bachelder has served as CEO of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. since 2007. Ms. Bachelder has led a remarkable turnaround of the company’s financial results with a compelling strategic roadmap for growth and an inspiring purpose and set of principles. The results – industry leading performance for the franchise owners and the shareholders. Ms. Bachelder has more than 35 years of experience in brand building, operations and public-company management at companies like Yum Brands, Domino’s Pizza, RJR Nabisco, The Gillette Company and The Procter & Gamble Company.

At the time of Ms. Bachelder’s 2007 appointment to CEO, Popeyes’ guest visits had been declining for years, restaurant sales and profit trends were negative. The company stock price had dropped from $34 in 2002 to $13. The brand was stagnant, and relations between the company and its franchise owners were strained. Ms. Bachelder and her team created a workplace where people were treated with respect and dignity yet challenged to perform at the highest level. Silos and self were set aside in favor of collaboration and team play. And the results were measured with rigor and discipline.

By 2014, average restaurant sales were up 25 percent, and profits were up 40 percent. Popeyes’ market share had grown from 14 percent to 21 percent, and the stock price was over $40. In 2012, Ms. Bachelder was recognized as Leader of the Year by the Women’s Foodservice Forum and received the highest industry award, the Silver Plate, for the quick service restaurant sector, presented by the International Food Manufacturer’s Association. She was also recognized as a 2012 Nation’s Restaurant News’ Golden Chain Award recipient.

Ms. Bachelder holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Masters of Business Administration in Finance and Marketing from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. She is married thirty three years to Chris Bachelder and they have three grown daughters.