India, Sept. 1 -- A woman who says she was once turned down for the CEO position at Applebee's is making headlines this week for an incredible twist of fate. Years after being rejected, she purchased the entire company, and her first move was to fire the very boss who once dismissed her.

Julia Stewart, a serial entrepreneur and longtime restaurant group executive, recently opened up about the bold business move during an appearance on the Matthews Mentality Podcast. The 70-year-old recalled a pivotal conversation with her former boss, then the head of Applebee's, after the chain was acquired by IHOP in a billion-dollar deal.

Stewart explained that she had previously served as president of Applebee's and had been promised the CEO role if...