Mina Haque shares her unconventional path from running her own law firm to leading one of the most iconic restaurant brands in the world. The conversation explores how entrepreneurial problem-solving prepared her to transform a legacy company, how nostalgia and modernization can coexist, and why resilience matters more than virality in today’s economy.
Key Discussion Points
Mina explains how being an entrepreneur trained her to operate without a playbook, constantly solving problems and building from scratch, skills she now applies in leading Tony Roma’s global transformation. She discusses the privilege and responsibility of stewarding a 54-year-old brand that spans five continents, balancing nostalgia with modernization through smaller footprints, delivery channels, and digital engagement. At Davos, she introduced the concept of neuroplasticity to frame change as a catalyst for growth, arguing that leaders must design adaptable environments where teams can rewire and learn. She also reflects on unlearning purely mechanical legal thinking to embrace the human and relational side of franchising and long-term partnerships.
Takeaways
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Transferable skills from entrepreneurship, especially problem-solving and adaptability, are powerful assets in corporate leadership.
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Legacy brands win through resilience, not just rapid growth or social media virality.
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Modernizing does not mean abandoning identity; it means evolving the delivery while protecting the core story.
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Change requires leaders to understand both neuroscience and culture, creating systems that support adaptation rather than resist it.
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Continuous learning, from Davos panels to conversations with younger generations, is a leadership discipline.
Closing Thoughts
Mina Haque’s leadership philosophy blends law, entrepreneurship, neuroscience, and global brand strategy. Her mission is not just to grow Tony Roma’s, but to position it as a resilient brand built for the next fifty-four years. This episode is a masterclass in adaptability, legacy thinking, and leading through transformation in an unpredictable world.
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