Linda Chadwick, CEO and President of Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, shared her insights on how women leaders can drive change and succeed in their careers. She believes that networking is an essential part of growing as a leader and encourages women to take advantage of resources like the Women in Leadership network. Mentoring has played a significant role in Chadwick’s career, and she encourages women to take risks and learn how to say “no” without feeling guilty. Chadwick’s biggest failure was trying to do everything herself, and she learned that it’s important to ask for help, recharge oneself, and not feel like a victim when things don’t go as planned. If she could do it all over again, she would ask for help earlier in navigating her career goals. However, she also believes that life’s journey is not perfect, and individuals are not perfect. Her advice to aspiring female leaders is to take the time to think, plan, and develop a strategy for execution. It’s essential to enjoy the journey, have fun, and bring others along the way.
Bold Women in the C-Suite: Linda Chadwick.
Linda Chadwick is a seasoned franchising expert with 30 years of experience in the industry. As the CEO and President of Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, she oversees the operations of 550 units in 31 states.
In a recent interview with Franchise Update Magazine, Chadwick discussed the importance of strategic moves in achieving success, rather than relying solely on bold moves. She emphasized the significance of planning calculated risks, thinking outside the box, and evaluating risks and rewards in business leadership.
Chadwick shared some of the bold moves she has made in her career, including her appearance on CBS’s “Undercover Boss” earlier this year. This experience allowed her to gain insight into the challenges faced by Rita’s franchisees and their staff, and to reward them with life-changing opportunities. The experience also motivated the entire team to collaborate, learn, and drive solutions more efficiently.
Another bold move Chadwick made was implementing a new technology road map, including a new app that enhances guests’ interactions with Rita’s. This initiative was initially met with some uncertainty, but once the team saw the positive impact it had on the brand, they became even more confident in pursuing this path.
Finally, Chadwick mentioned the ongoing initiative of implementing a new look for the Rita’s brand. She explained that this decision was based on the right strategic moves and calculated risks to reward the brand and keep guests coming back.
Throughout her career, Chadwick has always envisioned her bold moves as a means to achieve stronger sales and profits for franchisees, while keeping guests engaged and satisfied. By having clear expectations, paying attention to data, and fostering teamwork, Chadwick has been able to surpass her expectations and continue to elevate the Rita’s brand.
Building a Strong Brand: Linda Chadwick’s Leadership
Linda Chadwick, CEO and President of Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, has been instrumental in evolving the brand and building a strong employee culture. In an interview with Franchise Update Magazine, she discussed the success of the brand’s recent initiatives and how she has handled challenges.
Driving Revenue and Digital Transformation
One of the key initiatives that Chadwick led was adding drive-thru options to walk-up locations. This strategy has proven to be a strong revenue builder for the brand. Additionally, the launch of the new mobile app for customers has significantly upgraded the consumer experience and encouraged repeat business.
Fostering a Strong Employee Culture
Chadwick understands the importance of building a strong employee culture, which is why she launched the Rita’s Way program three years ago. This program highlights 34 fundamentals that the team lives by every day in all of their actions. This has helped foster a culture of inclusiveness, collaboration, and communication. According to Chadwick, “Without a strong culture, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
Staying True to the Brand’s Roots
Chadwick believes in the importance of staying true to the iconic red-and-white awning and the walk-up window, both of which are nostalgic brand attributes. This consistency has helped spread brand awareness and build loyalty from customers across the country. Chadwick has been successful in keeping the brand’s roots intact while still implementing new strategies for growth.
Encouraging Boldness and Mentorship
As a leader, Chadwick is committed to encouraging boldness and mentorship. The company has a formal mentorship program that encourages women to speak up and share their goals. According to Chadwick, “Women have to be encouraged to let their voices be heard.” The organization also participates in Linkage, a program that encourages women leaders to attend the Women in Leadership conference and take advantage of their educational programs.
Passion for Franchising and Leading a Strong Team
Chadwick’s strong passion for franchising is what motivates her as a leader. She is proud of the job opportunities that franchise businesses provide to their communities and is excited to watch her team grow and develop as individuals. Her leadership has helped build a strong brand and a team that consistently delivers their best every day.
Driving Change as a Woman Leader in Franchising: Insights from Linda Chadwick
Linda Chadwick, CEO and President of Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, is a trailblazing woman leader in the franchising industry. In an interview with Franchise Update Magazine, she shared her insights on how women leaders can drive change and succeed in their careers.
Networking as a Key to Growth
Chadwick believes that networking is an essential part of growing as a leader, and every woman leader in franchising should take advantage of resources like the Women in Leadership network. Although some women may be apprehensive about networking or feel they don’t have enough time, Chadwick encourages them to see it as an opportunity to learn and develop. She emphasizes that there are many people willing to help on the journey, and it’s important not to be afraid to ask for assistance.
The Role of Mentoring in Career Success
Mentoring has played a significant role in Chadwick’s career, and she is grateful for the wisdom that her mentors have shared with her. She acknowledges that it can be challenging to implement their advice, as it often requires stepping out of one’s comfort zone. However, she encourages women to take risks and learn how to say “no” without feeling guilty. Chadwick shares the advice that resonates with her, which is to remember that “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
Learning from Failure
Chadwick believes that failure can be an essential teacher, and one of her biggest failures was trying to do everything herself. She learned that she couldn’t do everything at once and do it well, and she encourages other women to learn from her experience. It’s important to ask for help, recharge oneself, and not feel like a victim when things don’t go as planned.
Enjoying the Journey and Embracing Imperfection
If Chadwick could do it all over again, she would ask for help earlier in navigating her career goals. However, she also believes that life’s journey is not perfect, and individuals are not perfect. Her advice to aspiring female leaders is to take the time to think, plan, and develop a strategy for execution. It’s essential to enjoy the journey, have fun, and bring others along the way.
Conclusion
Linda Chadwick is an inspiring woman leader in franchising who has driven change and success in her career. She encourages women to network, seek out mentorship, learn from failure, and enjoy the journey while embracing imperfection. Her insights offer valuable guidance for women leaders who are navigating their careers and striving for success.
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