If you were to walk into a corporate boardroom in the mid-90s, the scene would be pretty predictable. Suits, ties, and a lot of guys named Bob or Bill. The fast-food world—or "Quick Service Restaurant" (QSR) industry, if we’re being fancy—was basically a boys' club. Then came Hala Moddelmog.
In 1995, Moddelmog did something that just hadn't been done before. She became the first female president of a major international fast food chain when she took the helm at Church’s Chicken.
It wasn't just a win for representation. Honestly, it was a massive win for the business. She didn't just sit in the chair; she renovated the whole house. Under her watch, Church’s went from a brand that was sorta just "there" to a powerhouse with record sales and global expansion.
✨ Don't miss: Making $2 a Second for a Day: The Math and Reality of Viral Wealth
The Glass Ceiling in the Fryer: How She Got There
Moddelmog didn't just wake up one day and get handed the keys to a fried chicken empire. She paid her dues.
She actually started out at Arby’s back in 1981. Think about that for a second—the early 80s in the South. She was a marketing and research whiz, working her way through the ranks when most women in the office were relegated to "support" roles. She eventually moved over to Church’s Chicken (then owned by AFC Enterprises) as a VP of marketing.
When she was promoted to President in '95, it sent shockwaves through the industry. You’ve gotta realize, back then, the idea of a woman leading a global QSR brand was practically sci-fi.
But Moddelmog had a secret weapon: Empathy mixed with data.
She famously focused on the "people" side of the business. While other CEOs were crunching numbers in a vacuum, she was looking at the franchisees and the communities they served. She understood that if the person behind the counter was happy, the customer would be too. Simple, right? But weirdly revolutionary at the time.
Why Hala Moddelmog at Church’s Chicken Was a Big Deal
You might be wondering, "Okay, she was first. But was she good?"
The numbers say yes. Big time. During her 10-year tenure as President of Church’s, she drove the brand to record-breaking sales. She didn't just keep the lights on; she expanded the footprint globally.
💡 You might also like: The Messy Reality of United States Steel Corporation X: Why This Icon is Fighting for Its Life
Innovation You Can Actually Taste
Ever had a freshly baked biscuit at Church’s? You can thank Hala for that. In the early 90s, before she was even President, she pushed for the brand to lean into its Southern roots. She knew that in the fast-food wars, you can't just be "fast." You have to be good.
She also spearheaded initiatives that supported women and minorities in the franchise world. She wasn't just the "first woman" at the top; she made sure she wasn't the last. She worked with organizations like the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities to make sure the corporate ladder had more than one set of footprints on it.
The Arby's "Homecoming" and Beyond
After a decade at Church's, Moddelmog didn't just retire to a beach somewhere. She’s a breast cancer survivor, and that experience led her to become the President and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure in 2006.
But the fast-food world wasn't done with her.
In 2010, she returned to her roots at Arby’s Restaurant Group as President. At the time, Arby’s was struggling. It was the post-recession era, and the brand needed a serious facelift. Moddelmog did what she does best: she listened. She helped lead a massive turnaround, tripling the product development pipeline and launching new ad campaigns that actually spoke to what people wanted to eat.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her Legacy
Often, when we talk about "firsts," we focus on the barrier itself. We talk about the "glass ceiling."
But focusing only on the fact that she’s a woman does a bit of a disservice to her actual business acumen. Moddelmog wasn't a "diversity hire." She was a turnaround specialist who happened to be a woman.
She proved that a leadership style focused on collaboration and community wasn't "soft"—it was profitable. She showed that you could be a Fortune 500 executive and still care deeply about corporate social responsibility.
Her Impact Today
If you look at the landscape of fast food today, you see her fingerprints everywhere.
- Diverse Leadership: While the industry still has work to do, there are far more women in the C-suite now than in 1995.
- Community Focus: Brands now realize they can't just be a "point of sale." They have to be part of the neighborhood.
- Product Quality: The shift toward "premium" fast food (better ingredients, better prep) started with leaders like Moddelmog who refused to settle for "good enough."
Actionable Insights from the Moddelmog Playbook
If you're an aspiring leader or just someone interested in how the business world actually works, there are a few things you can take away from Hala’s career:
🔗 Read more: Why is Six Flags Closing? The Reality Behind the Merger and Those Viral Rumors
- Go Back to Basics: When things are failing, stop looking at complex algorithms and start looking at the product. Is it good? Is it what people want?
- People Over Pedigrees: Moddelmog succeeded because she valued her franchisees. In any business, the people on the front lines have the most information. Use it.
- Resilience is a Skill: From breaking into a male-dominated industry to surviving breast cancer and then returning to lead a massive company, her career is a masterclass in not staying down.
- Network Outside Your Bubble: She was heavily involved in the Atlanta community (later becoming the first female President and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber). Success isn't just about what happens inside your office; it’s about the ecosystem you build around it.
Hala Moddelmog didn't just change the face of fast food. She changed the math. She proved that leadership isn't about fitting into a mold—it's about breaking the mold and building something better in its place.
Next Steps for Your Career:
Check out the Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF), an organization Moddelmog has been involved with for years. They offer incredible resources for mentorship and leadership development specifically for women in the hospitality and food sectors. If you're looking to make your own "first" happen, that's the place to start.