Videos
Learn More About Nigel Travis
When it comes to practitioners with deep executive experience, it’s hard to argue with the resume of Nigel Travis. Chairperson of Abercrombie & Fitch and senior advisor to Blackstone, Travis previously served as CEO of two iconic brands: Dunkin’ Brands and Papa John’s. He also held the position of SVP, Human Resources at Burger King, and he’s currently the chairman and co-owner of the London-based soccer team he grew up supporting, Leyton Orient Football Club.
To his leadership methodology, rather than a strictly sales-focused background, Travis brings a positive, people-focused management ethos from his human resources background. As a leader, he explains how organizations that encourage employees from across the hierarchy to communicate freely, challenge leadership when needed, and build bonds of trust and cooperation fare better during economic uncertainty and throughout digital transformation initiatives.
“I devoted 20 years of my life to becoming the best HR professional I could be,” reminisces Travis. “I came to realize that the idea of ‘tolerance’ of differences was hardly enough — to get the range of views we wanted for a challenge culture, we first had to ensure that everybody would be included in the conversation.”
Anticipate the Future Through Technology and Challenge Culture
Travis has been at the forefront of multiple successful digital transformations in his career, including being at the helm of Papa John’s when it became the first national pizza chain to capitalize on digital pizza ordering. At Dunkin’, the focus on maximizing speed and simplicity was a major contributor to Dunkin’ Brands’ $11.3 billion valuation in its December 2020 sale to Inspire Brands, a transaction that followed the company’s successful 2011 IPO that saw the brand valued at $2.4 billion. With a keen eye toward the high potential uses of technology and AI in retail, Travis sits on tech boards, including Brightloom, a Starbucks-backed software startup that leverages customer data to personalize messaging and drive brand loyalty.
While many may feel their organization stifles internal dialogue, the idea that successful organizations must have a culture where anyone can speak up became the basis of Travis’ 2018 bestseller, “The Challenge Culture: Why the Most Successful Organizations Run on Pushback” (PublicAffairs). In it, he describes how the key to breaking down a culture of fear and confrontation is building an inclusive environment that encourages civil dissent.
Encouraging employees to speak up can also prepare an organization for coming challenges. Travis points to the demise of Blockbuster, where he served as COO until 2004, as an example of why it’s vital for executives to allow their teams to be able to challenge the status quo.
“We studied Netflix passively. We sat there and watched it – you can’t do that,” he explains to Chief Executive. “The challenge culture is actually a very simple concept. Essentially, it’s encouraging people in organizations to challenge from all angles or, more specifically, to encourage pushback—in a very civil way. The benefit of all this is to get greater buy-in and hopefully better solutions and, at the same time, create a culture that people like working in.”
In a time of widening gaps between upper management and front-line workers that has led to staffing crises like the Great Resignation and the recent “quiet quitting” phenomenon, Travis has consistently been an advocate for regular communication within the workforce, down to an individual level which, he says, is surprisingly uncommon in the retail world.
“I’m always shocked how managers and executives don’t go out and visit the stores as much as they should,” he points out. “Leaders shouldn’t just communicate with groups, they should communicate with individuals as well. You have to engage people in a way they haven’t been engaged before. That means more regular meetings and more regular visits.”
He’s taken the same approach with his football team, implementing a hierarchy-less approach. “We have regular staff meetings that include the players,” he explains, illustrating that the people-management of business and sports aren’t all that different.
A Proven Positive Engagement and Digital Transformation Leader
With a career spanning executive roles in human resources, food service, retail, sports and more, Travis has a track record of successfully managing billion-dollar brands that few others can match. His open innovation, positive engagement, culture-building has helped iconic brands both survive and thrive through challenging times by making businesses operationally resilient, future-forward places where people want to work.
“Organizations must follow through with the implementation of culture,” he emphasizes. “The pandemic has underscored the importance of engagement and positive culture, but too many companies meander through without any kind of focus on culture. I’m a great believer in learning from others, and that can only be accomplished when people know they can speak up safely.”
###
Nigel Travis served as the Executive Chairman of the Board for Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc., a quick-service restaurant franchisor from July 2018 to January 2019 when he transitioned to Chairman until December 2020, when the company was sold. Previously he served as Chief Executive Officer at Dunkin’ Brands from January 2009 to July 2018 and assumed the additional responsibility of Chairman of the Board in May 2013.
Travis has also served in executive leadership roles at various companies within the retail and restaurant industries including Burger King, Blockbuster and Papa John’s, where he served as CEO. He has served as a director of Advance Auto Parts since 2018 and as a director of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. since January 2019, taking on the role of Chairman in January 2023. He formerly served as a director of Office Depot, Inc. from March 2012 to May 2020. He is currently Chairman of Servpro, Fooda & Brightloom as well as majority owner and Chairman of Leyton Orient Football Club in London.
Nigel Travis is available to advise your organization via virtual and in-person consulting meetings, interactive workshops and customized keynotes through the exclusive representation of Stern Speakers & Advisors, a division of Stern Strategy Group®.
How to Build and Maintain a Challenge Culture
In a time of competitive stress from technological change, market pressure, and customer demand, some organizations deal with challenges from outside by quashing challenges from inside. In this informative presentation, Abercrombie & Fitch Chairman Nigel Travis uses his 2018 bestseller, “The Challenge Culture: Why the Most Successful Organizations Run on Pushback,” to illustrate how instituting a culture that encourages civil dissent is the key to breaking down a culture of fear and confrontation. Drawing on his time as CEO of Papa John’s and Dunkin’ Brands, plus his experience as chairman and owner of a professional sports team, Leyton Orient Football Club, Travis brings fascinating and engaging real-world scenarios to life. Leaders will understand how empowering a challenge culture will make their organizations more resilient, more egalitarian, and more adaptable in today’s ever-changing business landscape through open and honest dialogue at all levels.
The Future of Business Will Hinge on Successfully Leveraging Tech Tools
Today’s ultra-competitive landscape has made it vital for organizations to embrace technology, especially emerging technologies. In this fascinating presentation, business executive, startup advisor, and Abercrombie & Fitch Chairman Nigel Travis will use real-world case studies to illustrate how harnessing technology can create competitive advantages. Former CEO of Papa John’s, one of the first restaurants to offer online ordering, and Dunkin’ Brands, a leader in efficiency through technology, Travis currently sits on the board of Brightloom, a Starbucks-backed software startup that leverages customer data to personalize messaging and drive brand loyalty. Through Travis’ practical experience in leadership roles at technology-forward organizations, attendees will gain unique insights into the game-changing digital tools that are just around the corner and how harnessing those tools now will reshape the competitive landscape of the near-future.
Building Effective People-First Organizations
Building engaged, people-first organizations is a specialty of Abercrombie & Fitch Chairman Nigel Travis. As a former human resources executive with decades of experience, this eye-opening session features Travis’ proven strategies for effectively managing people both in and out of the office. He’ll use real-world scenarios to illustrate how the organizations he’s led have survived recessions, the Covid pandemic and the Great Resignation by focusing on people first. Attendees will also gain insight into the vital importance of ensuring psychological safety and how organizations are implementing initiatives to respect mental health, intergenerational leadership, the engagement needs of a younger workforce, and the changing compensation needs of individuals. Leaders will be equipped with practical frameworks for implementing similar strategy-fortifying initiatives at their own organizations.
Looking Ahead To The Future of Restaurants
In a post-pandemic world, direct-to-consumer businesses, especially restaurants, must adapt to new customer priorities. In this educational presentation, former Papa John’s and Dunkin’ Brands CEO and current Abercrombie & Fitch Chairman Nigel Travis lifts the curtain on the future of the restaurant industry. Travis will illustrate the ways in which frequency is the hidden weapon for restaurant success like software that uses AI to leverage customer data to personalize messaging and brand loyalty. He’ll also use real-world examples to illustrate how restaurant brands are using technology to drive success on the back of changes that took place during the pandemic, like prioritizing cleanliness and food safety. Attendees will gain valuable insight into how these future of restaurants strategies can be harnessed to maximize competitiveness and customer loyalty.
(Re)Designing the Boardroom For Perpetual Uncertainty
February 29, 2024
Nigel Travis: Americans Prefer EFL to Premier League ($)
February 13, 2024
Franchising 101 with Nigel Travis (Audio)
September 14, 2022
Creating A Challenge Culture with Nigel Travis (Audio)
November 26, 2021
Former Dunkin CEO on the State of the Restaurant Industry (Video)
December 14, 2020
Nigel Travis on Why Businesses Need a Challenge Culture (Audio)
September 3, 2020
Dunkin' Chairman Says Plant-based Trend is Here to Stay
December 26, 2019
Talent Summit Roundup: Creating A Culture That Never Quits
November 20, 2019
5 Essential Business Books for 2019
February 4, 2019
Breaking the Culture of Silence
January 30, 2019
A Challenge Culture is an Imperative for All Organizations
December 18, 2018
How Inclusive Practices Transform Workplace Culture
December 4, 2018
Challenge Culture Helped Dunkin' Follow an Asset-Light Model
November 23, 2018
Former Dunkin' CEO Nigel Travis: 'Challenge Everything'
September 19, 2018
Nigel Travis: The Challenge Culture (Audio)
September 12, 2018
Why Dunkin' Donuts is Still Winning Breakfast Customers
February 6, 2018
Dunkin' Brewin' Up 'On-the-go' Service
July 27, 2017
The Challenge Culture: Why the Most Successful Organizations Run on Pushback
(PublicAffairs, September 2018)
Abercrombie & Fitch Chairman Nigel Travis is one of the leading experts on building engaged, open, and positive organizational cultures. Author of the 2018 bestseller, “The Challenge Culture: Why the Most Successful Organizations Run on Pushback,” Travis is a trusted advisor to C-suite executives and future leaders, helping create organizations that empower open, frank dialogue to break down cultures of fear and confrontation, and build resilience and equal participation throughout. As former CEO of Papa John’s and Dunkin’ Brands, Travis is also a valuable resource for insight into successfully leveraging emerging technology to build and fortify customer loyalty. Travis is available to discuss any or all of the following topics during one-on-one or small group advisory meetings. Each program can be customized to meet the needs and goals of your organization with the added option of meeting virtually or in-person.
- How to Build and Maintain a Challenge Culture
- The Future of Business Will Hinge on Successfully Leveraging Tech Tools
- Building Effective People-First Organizations
- The Future of Restaurants
- How Professional Sports Management Translates to the Business World
“Nigel did a great job. He is, not surprisingly, very entertaining and quick on his feet, in addition to having a great set of stories that were extremely relevant to our general theme of managing the tension between short term growth and long-term disruptive change. The CSOs were very happy.”
“Just a quick note to again say thank you for coming out to speak at the Talent Summit. Really made the day. You were absolutely outstanding—your talk was cited again and again in our feedback forms as one of the highlights of the entire program (which got an overall 9/10 overall rating from attendees). So, thank you!”
“The team loved you!”
“You were a big hit. I’m guessing the survey will show your segment was among the most popular. I wanted to let you know that the team LOVED your presentation. They talked about it all day and night. Loved the ideas and mostly hearing your stories. Thank you again for taking part in this event.”
“Would love to keep you connected to JWU. Our students have a real affinity to people like you — smart, accomplished, not afraid to push limits yet grounded and personable. I believe their words are ‘rock star.’ Your commencement speech was the first to receive a transcript request by a JWU parent! We referred the parent to the video copy.”
“I just wanted to thank you, once again, for speaking at the university on Tuesday. It was a great honor to have you here and everyone was completely blown away with your presentation.”