Burger King man to open WTM
Barry Gibbons, the man credited for rescuing Burger King, will officially open World Travel Market this year.
Dubbed the ‘Turn Around Champ’, the former CEO of the US-based fast food chain will open the event on November 5 at ExCel London.
"Within a year of taking over the role of CEO of Burger King, Barry was opening two new restaurants a day around the world, attracting thousands of hungry travellers on a budget," said Fiona Jeffery OBE, chairman of World Travel Market.
"During five years as chief of one of the world’s leading fast food chains, he received international recognition for his outstanding business performance."
When Gibbons took over running the US-based Burger King in 1989 it was losing money. Franchisees were earning poor profits and many restaurants were short staffed, dirty and badly in need of renovation.
Within four years, Gibbons made a pre-tax profit of $250m, trading positively in 55 countries.
He has written six business books and has given more than 250 speeches on four continents to some of the world’s most respected and successful companies.
"Barry’s experiences, anecdotes, humour and practical tips are as relevant today as they have ever been," said Jeffery.
"When a downturn hits hard, survival and future prosperity can depend on establishing or re-establishing a connection with all kinds of stakeholders. This is part of Barry Gibbons’ overriding business philosophy which we hope will help uplift and invigorate the industry in this highly challenging era."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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