Leighton Hull is a seasoned entrepreneur and franchise expert with a diverse business
portfolio spanning restaurants, real estate, and consulting. His career began in 1985 with
the acquisition of his first McDonald’s franchise in Los Angeles. Since then, he has owned
and operated Denny’s restaurants in California, Indiana, and Hawaii, where he was the sole
franchisee, as well as Bojangles units in Georgia. His ventures also include luxury home
development and multiple Shell Oil stations, convenience stores, and car washes in
Southern California.

Hull’s business foundation was shaped by early roles at Cummins Engine Company and as
Regional Director at the Indiana Department of Commerce. He later advised major
infrastructure projects and led initiatives in multi-family development and supplier
diversity.

An alumnus of Indiana University, the Wharton School, and Harvard Business School, Hull
brings a rare blend of operational insight and strategic leadership. He has served on
numerous corporate, civic, and nonprofit boards, and now focuses on advising franchisees,
private equity firms, and high-net-worth individuals through Hull Advisory.
Beyond his business pursuits, he is a certified sailor and licensed private pilot who enjoys
the discipline and freedom of navigating the air and sea

Leighton Hull