Leighton Hull is an entrepreneur with more than thirty-five years of experience successfully operating such brands as McDonald’s, Denny’s and Shell Oil in multi-unit and multi-geographic market environments. His operating expertise includes wholesale and retail management. His background experience spans from ‘start-up’ thru ‘systems execution’ including site selection, new construction, conversions, remodels, acquisitions and ‘turnaround’ operations. Hull’s operations background is enhanced by his leadership roles on franchisee Boards of Directors and participation in developing corporate brand strategy at McDonald’s and Denny’s. Leighton’s entrepreneurial background is complemented by his numerous years of community service and leadership. He has been recognized and honored, not only for his business accomplishments, but for his commitment to community service.
Hull operated his first franchise business as a California based McDonald’s owner/operator, where he increased sales performance in his restaurant by 66 percent within the first two years of operations. He was known as a hands-on concerned employer implementing sophisticated and intensive training programs. For his many school aged employees, making the grade meant a successful collaboration of work experience and academic success. Hull checked report cards to ensure that academics had priority over paychecks! Such was his success that McDonald’s Corporation sought his active participation in the McDonald’s franchisee screening/evaluation process and selected his restaurants as training sites for future McDonald’s owner/operators.
Additionally, Hull served on the Board of Directors – McDonald’s Operators Association. He served on the Marketing/Advertising and Public Relations Committee and served as Chairman – Marketing-Ethnic Sub-Committee. Hull’s eleven years with McDonald’s can best be summarized by the numerous “Outstanding Operator Awards” he received as a franchisee as well as McDonald’s brand dominance during his tenure as a Board Member.
Hull transitioned to Denny’s Corporation as a franchisee and within five years acquired, developed and operated fourteen restaurants in California, Indiana and Hawaii. He consistently received recognition for outstanding store operations. Hull served as Vice-Chairman of the Board, Denny’s Franchisee Association and Chairman – Denny’s Marketing/Advertising Committee. His accomplishments include implementation of the Brand Team Concept, where senior level corporate officers, advertising-media representatives and selected franchisees participated in monthly brand strategy sessions. He also served on the search committee for the National Advertising Agencies.
Hull, in 2003 transitioned to Shell Oil Products US as a Multi-Site Operator (MSO). He acquired and operated fifteen Shell Fuel Stations, Convenience Stores and Car Wash locations in the Los Angeles area. Hull’s organization quickly rose to the top of Shell’s list of Outstanding Performer’s in the areas of fuel sale performance increases, over Shell projections, and on-site evaluations conducted by Shell. Fuel sales exceeded Shell projections and “CVP” Customer Value Proposition scores for the Hull organization were significantly higher than national average. Hull was awarded numerous “Performance” awards for his operations.
In addition to his business accomplishments, Hull’s lifelong commitment to the economic and social issues of African-American’s is significant. Hull served as Board Member/Co-Chairman – Economic Development Committee of the National African American Leadership Summit (NAALS). NAALS cosponsored the ‘Million Man March’. Hull is also past Chairman – Lynwood Entrepreneur Development Academy-Business Institute and Small Business Incubator, past President – Chamber of Commerce and past President of the Black McDonald’s Operators Association of Southern California.
Hull has held numerous board positions, including Chairman of the Board – Pacific Coast Regional Small Business Development Corporation and Board Member – Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena. His past affiliations include, Trustee – Pacific Oaks College, Board Member – Pacific Clinics Mental Health Services Corporation, Board Member – Pasadena Armory Center for the Arts and Board Member – Los Angeles NAACP/Chairman-Economic Development Committee. Additionally, he served as Chairman -The Wharton School/YPO Executive Education Program at the University of Pennsylvania and served as delegate to THE WHITE HOUSE Conference on Small Business. Hull also served on the Spelman College 125th Year Anniversary Fund Raising Committee.
Originally from South Bend, Indiana, Hull, received his undergraduate education from Indiana University and began his business career in marketing with Cummins Engine Company in Columbus, Indiana. There he designed market penetration surveys and assisted in the development of marketing strategies that resulted in record sales growth. From there Hull became Regional Director – Small Business Development Division, Office of Minority Business Enterprise (OMBE), State of Indiana Department of Commerce where he provided management and technical assistance including loan packaging services to small businesses.
From 1974-1976 Hull completed Executive Education Programs offered by the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and in 1980 moved to Los Angeles, California where he started Leighton Hull Management Associates, a consulting firm that provided comprehensive management, marketing and financial consulting services with an emphasis on ‘start-up’ and ‘turnaround’ business opportunities.
As Chief Consultant for Leighton Hull Management Associates, Hull provided consulting services to Todd Shipyards Corporation and from the consulting arrangement grew a full time in-house consulting position at this multibillion-dollar ship building company. There he developed and implemented the supplier diversity program and small business sub-contracting policies that increased minority and women-owned business opportunities and competitiveness. All the while, Hull continued to actively head his own firm.
During education intervals in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, Hull completed The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Wharton/YPO Executive Program in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1999, Hull completed The Harvard Business School/YPO Executive Program in Boston, Massachusetts.
Hull’s personal interests include sailing and flying. He holds a Private Pilot License.