Barry Gibbons was named the ‘Turnaround Champ’ by Fortune Magazine for his outstanding success in transforming Burger King’s global business. Appointed CEO in 1989, he inherited a struggling international division, with none of its overseas operations turning a profit. Within just a year, Burger King was opening two new restaurants a day worldwide, and by the end of his five-year tenure, the company was thriving in 55 countries and generating pre-tax profits of approximately $250 million. His strategic vision and leadership played a pivotal role in Burger King’s resurgence on the global stage.
A key achievement during Barry’s tenure was Burger King’s expansion into the UK, where the brand had no significant presence. Under his leadership, the company acquired the Wimpy brand, leveraging its established network to develop a thriving UK business. His bold decision-making and innovative approach to brand positioning earned him widespread recognition as one of the most effective CEOs in the fast-food industry. His legacy remains a benchmark for business leaders navigating high-pressure turnaround situations.
Following his corporate career, Gibbons transitioned into entrepreneurship, becoming co-founder of the UK publishing company Infinite Ideas. He also established himself as an acclaimed author, having written six business books, a guide on public speaking, and a novel. As an inspirational speaker, he has delivered over 250 keynote speeches across four continents, sharing his expertise with blue-chip companies. His wit, humour, and wealth of experience make his insights both engaging and practical for businesses facing modern challenges.
Gibbons’ speeches and writings focus on leadership over management, energising workforces, and embedding branding across all facets of an organisation. He advocates for fostering customer relationships that extend beyond satisfaction and warns against the risk of alienating stakeholders—investors, employees, suppliers, and communities—during times of economic uncertainty. His philosophy is rooted in the belief that long-term business success depends on strong connections with all stakeholders, a principle that remains as relevant today as ever.
Books
This Indecision Is Final: 32 Management Secrets of Albert Einstein, Billie Holiday And A Bunch Of People Who Never Worked 9 to 5
Chronicles From The Planet Business: An Eyewitness Account Of The Crimes, Passions, Madness And Downright Stupidity Of Modern Business
Dream Merchants And Howboys: Mavericks, Nutters And The Road To Business Success
If You Really Want To Make God Laugh Show Him Your Business Plan: 101 Universal Laws Of Business
Warning May Contain Nuts: Absolutely The First Definitive Review Of The Incompetent, Inadvertent And Occasionally Illegal World Of The Business In The New Millennium
How to hire Barry Gibbons
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Barry Gibbons for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
Feedback from In-Person Events:
"Your presentation and style is one of the most unique we have ever experienced. Thank you for coming. . .you were an inspiration to all!" - SERCO Group plc (UK)
"Barry was excellent. He delivered the key messages in a remarkable and entertaining way. He was wonderful." - Project Planning International
"Fantastic speaker - great insights and advice wrapped in a wonderful sense of humour. The audience loved him!" - Centre For Business
- 2006 – Published the book Five Loaves, Two Fishes and Six Chicken Nuggets, offering an irreverent look at the fast-food industry
- 2003 – Authored 'Dream Merchants and Howboys: Mavericks, Nutters and the One True Road to Business Success', sharing insights into unconventional business strategies
- 2002 – Released 'Warning! May Contain Nuts', a book exploring the quirks of the business world
- 1999 – Published 'Chronicles from the Planet Business', reflecting on his corporate experiences
- 1996 – Authored 'The Indecision is Final', discussing decision-making in business
- 1992 – Led Burger King's recovery efforts after Hurricane Andrew destroyed the company's headquarters, implementing flexible work policies and support systems for affected employees
- 1990 – Featured on the cover of Fortune magazine as a "Turnaround Champion" for revitalizing Burger King's performance
- 1989 – Appointed CEO of Burger King, initiating a significant turnaround that included global expansion and the acquisition of the Wimpy brand to establish a strong UK presence
