Julia Stewart
Founder and CEO, Alurx, Inc.
Julia Stewart is an experienced CEO, entrepreneur, advisor, and independent board member
with expertise in creating and building global businesses and brands across hospitality,
consumer goods, and B2B. She is recognized for her growth mindset, adding shareholder
value, accelerating innovation, building high-performance leadership teams and cultures. Her
many talents include franchising expertise, delivering superior top and bottom-line results and
making strategic acquisitions.
Julia is currently the founder and CEO of Alurx, Inc., a Gen-AI Wellness App that enables sustainable healthy habits and is poised to disrupt the HealthTech industry. Additionally, she serves on the boards of Colorado Premium, a leader in the sous vide and finished protein business, and Bojangles Restaurants, a rapidly growing fast-food chain.
Leveraging her global experience, Julia has developed a unique approach to branding and hospitality. She has improved the bottom line for thousands of franchisees and inspired employees, which created a renewed brand loyalty for both. The true reward was the resulting millions of satisfied customers. Julia’s bold leadership style is characterized by her ability to develop transformative business strategies, create long-term sustainable growth, and discover and address unmet consumer needs. In doing so, she has increased market share, optimized operational business models, managed crises, spearheaded acquisitions, and driven innovation.
Julia’s CEO and board experience includes Founder, Chair & CEO of Alurx, Inc.; Chair & CEO of Dine Brands Global (NYSE: DIN); CEO & Chair of IHOP; President of Applebee's; National Senior VP of Franchise Operations at Taco Bell (NYSE: YUM). She also has served on the boards of Avery Dennison Corp. (NYSE: AVY), Fogo de Chao, Bite Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: BITE), Children’s Bureau of Southern California, and the Women’s Foodservice Forum (Founding Member & Chair).
Julia is a cum laude graduate of San Diego State University and received an Honorary Doctorate in Business from Johnson and Wales University. She was named one of Fortune Magazine's 50 Most Powerful Women in the U.S. She also received numerous awards for her broad business acumen. Julia is a sought-after speaker on topics such as AI, leadership, high-performing teams, and change management.