Blog #5: Influential Leaders

Influential leaders in the restaurant industry are Howard Schultz and Donald Thompson. They each have impacted the industry greatly and changed the system with their innovative ideas. I believe that in order to become  successful in the restaurant industry, one needs persistence, knowledge, and most importantly a vivid imagination.

Howard Schultz, Chairman and CEO of Starbucks Corporation, was the man who brought the unique and leisured coffee bars to the United States. His great idea started when he travelled from New York to Seattle to visit  a store called “Starbucks” that had been buying many of the Hammarplast Swedish drip coffeemakers he was selling. Schultz  saw much opportunity within this business and after a year finally convinced the Starbucks owner to hire him. He wanted this coffee business to mimic a “European way” of drinking coffee, where it was seen as a leisurely, social gathering, but the owner resisted many of Schultzes ideas. Schultz quit and created his own coffee bar which soon became very successful. Finally, a year later, Schultz bought Starbucks for $3.8 million dollars [Myprimetime.com 2001]. I believe that Howards Schultz became so successful because he had a bright and detailed vision of what he believed consumers yearned for. He saw the future restaurant, Starbucks, as not just a place to buy coffee, but yet a place where people could come together, socialize, and be in a relaxing environment amidst their busy lifestyles.

Donald Thompson, President and CEO of McDonalds Corporation,  originally started his career on the technical side of the business. With his fantastic people skills and work ethics, he later  moved up in the ranks and held other key positions. In support of McDonalds success, he was noted for creating three global growth priorities, which included, “ to optimize our menu, modernize the customer experience and broaden restaurant accessibility [Don thompson: 2012].” Today, Thompson is known as one of the highest ranked African Americans in the restaurant Industry [Answers.com]. I believe Thompson had come so far due to his amazing leadership qualities. He displays the importance of dedication, collaboration, and even perseverance. Thompson had travelled up  the McDonald’s hierarchy, which proves how one can become successful in the industry. This is a quintessential example portraying how the restaurant industry provides much opportunity for those who are determined and willing to take advantage of all that it offers.

Works Cited:


Myprimetime.com. (2001). Retrieved from http://www.myprimetime.com/work/ge/schultzbio/

Answers.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.answers.com/topic/don-thompson

Don thompson: president and chief executive officer. (2012, July). Retrieved from http://aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/our_company/leadership/don_thompson.html