
Emil Brolick: A cut above
U of D grad Brolick named CEO of Wendy's
When Emil Brolick enrolled at the University of Detroit in the late 1960s, he thought he wanted to go into law.
A few early economics courses changed his mind, and by the time he graduated from Detroit with a master's in economics in 1972, he knew he wanted to apply his degree in a practical business environment.
Forty years later, he's had many such opportunities – but none quite as grand as his new job as president and CEO of Wendy's. Brolick took over the top spot at the popular fast food chain Sept. 12.
But despite the whirlwind that has followed the announcement, he still found time last week to fondly recall his days at McNichols and Livernois.
"The student body was very friendly," he said. "I still feel an attachment to the school. I'm proud to have graduated from the University of Detroit."
Brolick said he always felt "very comfortable" at U of D (one of UDM's predecessors) because of the diverse student body and the strong presence of the Catholic faith. The scenery was also nice, he said.
"I always liked the campus," he said. "Fall and spring were always beautiful."
Those memories include times in the dorms. He lived on campus until his junior year.
"They were a lot of fun and enjoyable times," he said. "There was always the challenge of studying in the dorms, but you could always find time to go to the library and some place quiet."
He said it was beneficial to him.
"Dorm life is an important part of college," he said. "It's part of your growing and maturing. You have to learn that you need to get along and connect with people and I think that's a very important part of your development."
Economics were "far and away my favorite classes," he said. "I really gained an appreciation for trying to understand consumers and why consumers did what they did and purchased what they did."
After working as a financial analyst with Chrysler, an opportunity to join the Ponderosa Steakhouse organization arrived. The switch from the manufacturing industry to the service industry was a big, but necessary, change, he said.
"The opportunity presented itself and I took advantage of it," he said. "Your career is less of a science as it is an art. Sometimes you have to do things that your instincts tell you are the right things to do."
Brolick worked at Wendy's from 1988-2000 and said his first stint with the company probably put him at the top of the list when the search for a new CEO began.
"I established a strong track record within the organization," he said.
During his early days at Wendy's, Brolick worked with founder and iconic figure Dave Thomas.
Although Thomas died in 2002, his legacy lives on, Brolick said.
"He was a very special human being," he said. "He had a tremendous sense of consumers and he had great instincts. He really wanted to create a brand that was a cut above; he did that. That thought still guides us today."
Brolick said that he knows what he wants his legacy to be.
"I'm a huge believer in people," he said. "I believe people are the greatest asset a corporation has. I'd like my legacy to be about people."
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
More VN News Articles
- Keegan-Michael Key: Comedy Central star fondly recalls his days at university
- Karl Gschneider: Heavy metal
- Chirstopher Darga: The faces of Darga
- George Noory: Out of this world
Recent VN News Articles
Discuss This Article
MOST POPULAR VN

Support amid tragedy By Kara Wolfbauer

Rekdal discusses latest book in virtual reading series By Emily Colucci

No. 0 heads to the rafters as UDM honors senior hoopers By Jorge Reyna, Jr.

Students seek Greek life due to focus on service By Jorge Reyna, Jr.
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST VN NEWS
- Support amid tragedy
- UDM studies ChatGPT and other AI tools
- Author encourages maintaining ‘inner personal library’ of meaningful works
- Rekdal discusses latest book in virtual reading series
- Titans not participating in pay-to-play CBI is right move
- Transfer student grateful for shot on women’s basketball team
- No. 0 heads to the rafters as UDM honors senior hoopers
RECENT VN CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- Four Ways for Successful Spring Cleaning
- Allergy Avoidance
- Making Smart Homes Better And More Secure
- Eye Disease Can Affect More Than Your Sight
- A Healthy And Balanced Diet Improves Oral Health
- Have More Healthy Moments: Get Tested and Follow Your...
- One A Day: Small Daily Acts of Self-Care Go a Long Way...
- One A Day: Small Daily Acts of Self-Care Go a Long Way...
- One A Day: Small Daily Acts of Self-Care Go a Long Way...
- One A Day: Small Daily Acts of Self-Care Go a Long Way...
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- BookTrib’s Bites: Personal Stories, Wealthy Secrets, S...
- MICE EXPO 2023 Set to Position SL as a MICE & Events hub...
- BookTrib’s Bites: Diverse Voices Telling Their Stories -...
- Chilean Summer Stone Fruits are Fabulous
- BookTrib’s Bites: Fact, Fiction and a Little in Between
- Six Sensational Hardwood Bathrooms
- Spring Forward with a Ray-Ban Giveaway
- Consumer Health Website Helps People Safely Choose & Use...
- How Anxious Are Americans About Their Finances? Very.
- TALKING FINANCIAL LITERACY AND MONEY MANAGEMENT WITH YOUR...
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- CFA Institute Rolls Out CFA Program Enhancements to Support Future Investment Professionals
- Blameless Announces New Blameless Reliability Scholarship to Collegiate STEM Majors
- A $255 Million Settlement has been reached with JUUL Labs, Inc. making money available for those who bought a JUUL Product before December 7, 2022. Litigation continues against Altria.
- Property Protection 101: How College Students Can Travel with Confidence During Spring Break
- Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show