Barry Westrum (Dairy Queen, KFC, Del Taco, Taco John's) Building Culturally Relevant, Emotionally Connected Brands & The Power of Boundaries at Creating Work-Life Balance

In this episode of CEOs & ABCs, Kevin Rice sits down with Barry Westrum, a veteran restaurant marketer and former CMO who has helped shape some of the most iconic QSR brands including Dairy Queen, KFC, Del Taco, Long John Silver’s, and Taco John’s. Barry shares what actually makes marketing work at the highest level. Building brands that win through emotion, cultural relevance, and disciplined execution, not just promotions and transactions. Drawing on his 18 years inside Yum! Brands, he breaks down the mentorship, training, and leadership frameworks that accelerated his career and consistently produced C suite talent. If you aspire to the CMO seat, Barry gets specific about the skills that matter most. Leadership, creative judgment, and persuasion. Because marketing is ultimately the business of selling ideas. The conversation also goes behind the title. Barry opens up about building a meaningful family life while navigating senior leadership roles, including an 18 month commute during his time at Dairy Queen. He shares how setting clear boundaries at work allowed him to stay present for the moments that mattered most at home, and how modeling those boundaries helped shape healthier team cultures. From raising two daughters to building a multi generational household rooted in creativity and connection, Barry offers a grounded look at what sustainable leadership really requires. If you are navigating ambition, leadership, and family at the same time, this episode delivers both perspective and practical guidance. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why emotional connection is the foundation of great brand marketing - The leadership frameworks Barry learned at Yum! Brands and used throughout his career - The three core skills every aspiring CMO must develop - How mentorship and formal training accelerate career growth - Why setting boundaries at work actually strengthens culture and performance - How to be fully present at work and at home without burning out Key takeaways: - Strong brands are built at the intersection of emotion and function - Career management is your responsibility, not your company’s - Leaders shape culture through behavior, not policy - Boundaries create permission for teams to show up fully in every role - Presence matters more than perfection in both leadership and parenting - Sustainable success comes from managing the whole person, not just the job About Barry Westrum Barry Westrum is a seasoned marketing executive and strategic advisor with more than 30 years of experience leading iconic restaurant brands. He has served as Chief Marketing Officer at Taco John’s International, Del Taco, KFC US, and Long John Silver’s, and as EVP of Marketing at International Dairy Queen, with nearly two decades at Yum! Brands earlier in his career. Today, Barry advises emerging AI and technology platforms across the restaurant and consumer space, bringing a clarity and focus leadership philosophy rooted in insight led marketing, strong culture, and emotional brand connection. Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Introduction
• (00:05:53) - Transitioning to Consulting: Embracing New Opportunities
• (00:14:19) - Love in the Workplace: A Personal Story
• (00:17:38) - Navigating Early Parenthood and Career
• (00:21:56) - Setting Boundaries Between Work and Family
• (00:26:39) - Being Present: The Key to Parenting
• (00:36:52) - Personal Responsibility in Career Management