Around the Corner to Around the World

Around the Corner to Around the World by Robert Rosenberg is a remarkable book that provides deep insights into the rise, fall, and resurrection of Dunkin’ Donuts. Rosenberg, the son of Bill Rosenberg, was the CEO of Dunkin’ Donuts for 35 years, from 1963 to 1998, and also served on the board of directors of Sonic Corp and Domino’s Pizza.

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The book shares twelve key lessons he learned while transforming Dunkin’ Donuts from a regional chain into a global brand. Under his leadership, the company grew from $10 million in sales to over $2 billion, expanding to more than 3,000 outlets worldwide. Rosenberg provides an insider’s perspective on the challenges and triumphs of his tenure, offering valuable lessons for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and franchise professionals.
One of the most compelling chapters, The Resurrection, details a critical moment in 1974 when Dunkin’ Donuts was struggling, and Rosenberg’s leadership was under threat. He recalls the tense moment in the boardroom:
“We return to the Dunkin’ Donuts boardroom on the fateful April day in 1974. The board had been deliberating for about an hour before asking me to rejoin the meeting. They were deciding whether to fire me or give me another quarter to prove my claim…”
Ultimately, the board gave him that extra quarter, and Rosenberg led Dunkin’ Donuts to recovery—an inflection point that shaped the company’s future success.
Key Leadership Lessons from the Book
In Lesson Six, Rosenberg outlines the four key responsibilities of a CEO:

Strategy – The CEO is the steward of the strategic direction of the enterprise. Organization – The CEO bears the responsibility of recruiting and retaining talent with the requisite skills and abilities to execute the company strategy. Communication – As CEO, you are the Communicator-in-Chief. Crisis Management – The CEO must handle crises with an understanding of materiality, scope, and futurity.

Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s.

Beyond these, Rosenberg emphasizes three crucial leadership qualities that define a great leader.
First, passion is essential. A leader must have a genuine love for the business, their role, and the work they do. Without passion, it is difficult to inspire others or sustain long-term success.
Second, a leader must be trusted. This trust is built through integrity, humility, and empathy. A leader who lacks these qualities will struggle to earn the confidence of their team and stakeholders.
Finally, a leader should pursue a higher purpose beyond just making money. The most successful leaders and companies aim to create a meaningful impact, whether through innovation, social contribution, or customer satisfaction.
Around the Corner, Around the World is certainly a good book for both franchise or non franchise. I reckon it!