Back in March 2015, we had the privilege of launching the first edition of Dare to Serve, and watched eagerly as it quickly rose to bestseller status. The author’s timeless principles and heart for serving others proved effective not only for her own business, but also in the lives of thousands of others who chose to adopt a ‘servant leadership’ mindset.
This week, we’re excited to launch the expanded and revised 2nd edition of Dare to Serve, where the Cheryl Bachelder shares some of what she’s learned since the first edition, and offers some new insights on the transformative power of having a servant mindset.
Dare to Serve
How do you transform an ailing company into an industry darling? Adopt servant leadership!
In this updated edition of Dare to Serve, former Popeyes CEO Cheryl Bachelder shows that leading by serving is a rigorous and tough-minded approach that yields the best results.
When she was named CEO of Popeyes in 2007, the stock price had slipped from $34 in 2002 to $13. The brand was stagnant, the team was discouraged, and the franchisees were just plain angry. Nine years later, restaurant sales were up 45 percent, restaurant profits had doubled, and the stock price was over $61. Servant leadership is sometimes derided as soft or ineffective, but this book confirms that challenging people to reach a daring destination, while treating them with dignity, creates the conditions for superior performance.
The second edition of this bestselling book includes Bachelder’s post-Popeyes observations, and new examples of how you can switch your leadership from self to serve. Ever engaging and inspirational, Bachelder takes you firsthand through the transformation of Popeyes and shows how anyone, at any level, can become a Dare-to-Serve leader.
Meet the Author
Cheryl Bachelder is the former CEO of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc., a multi-billion-dollar chain of more than 2,600 restaurants around the world. Over ten years, she 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.
With more than 35 years of experience in brand building, operations and public-company management, Cheryl has worked at companies like Yum Brands, Domino’s Pizza, RJR Nabisco, The Gillette Company and The Procter & Gamble Company. She has been profiled in the Wall Street Journal and featured on Mad Money; 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. Today, Cheryl serves on boards, mentors CEOs, and invests in philanthropy.
Cheryl 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 to Chris Bachelder and they have three grown daughters.
Praise from Readers Like You
“Cheryl Bachelder pens a powerful manifesto on true servant leadership — one that comes from the heart, forged by discipline, and displayed with grace, depth and humility. Her story is timely, her lessons wise, and her personal example inspirational. ‘Dare to Serve’ should be the playbook for every leader regardless of the size or mission of the enterprise.”
— Chip Bell, 5-star Amazon review
“‘Dare to Serve’ brings optimism to leadership—that coaching and developing your team, stepping out of the spotlight, and leading with integrity and humility can drive results. . . . Full of exercises and powerful reflection, this book is a must read for leaders in all industries.“
— Sharon Bergquist, 5-star Amazon review
“I have read more leadership books than I care to admit. ‘Dare to Serve’ is one of the most distinctive and refreshing leadership books out there! Not only does [it] offer up a contrarian approach to leadership, but Cheryl Bachelder backs it up with real examples and a true to life transformation story . . . Anyone in or outside business, young or more seasoned in any profession can benefit greatly from her words of wisdom and practical experience.“
— Phil H, 5-star Amazon review
“‘Dare to Serve’ is both a record of delivering outstanding business results and a ‘how to’ in providing leadership to a far-flung organization — with inspiring and profitable results. A ‘quick read’ that will leave you wanting even more!”
— John Cranor, 5-star Amazon review
Learn More
- Visit the website to learn more about the book and download a free chapter.
- Buy a copy of the book, or leave a short review of it, on Amazon.
- Watch the recent webinar to hear more of what Cheryl’s been up to lately.
Elizabeth Johnson loves the color yellow, strong {black} coffee, editing, and exploring the mountains in rural Wyoming and Utah, where she and her husband serve as church planters. In her free time, she enjoys learning new things, hand-lettering and acrylic painting, and gaming with her husband.