Dr. Steve Franklin is an internationally recognized author, educator, and leadership strategist with a passion for elevating guest experiences and service cultures. A former Associate Dean at Emory University’s Goizueta imBusiness School, he has trained thousands of leaders across global brands such as Coca-Cola, AT&T, Chick-fil-A, Johnson & Johnson, IBM, and Marriott-affiliated organizations, focusing on customer loyalty, team engagement, transformational leadership and operational excellence.

Co-author of two leading business textbooks and the Amazon bestseller Celebrate 100, Dr. Franklin’s insights on service, leadership, and long-term success have appeared in major media outlets including The Christian Science Monitor, Los Angeles Times, and Chicago Tribune. He has designed executive education programs for hospitality-related and service-driven organizations in North America, Europe, South Africa, and Dubai.

In his corporate leadership roles, Franklin has guided large-scale growth while fostering service-centered cultures. His work spans campus and corporate development, guest-focused operations, and multi-site team leadership — including international expansions in key hospitality hubs like Atlanta, London, Paris, Dubai, and Los Angeles.

Beyond the classroom and boardroom, Dr. Franklin has always been fascinated by the art of smoking meat. In 1996, he earned his BBQ competition Judging credentials from both the Memphis in May and the Kansas City Barbecue Society. Judging numerous championship barbecue contests throughout the country played an instrumental role in inspiring the launch of DAS BBQ, a beloved Atlanta smokehouse brand co-founded with his son Stephen . With two locations in Metro Atlanta, DAS BBQ reflects Franklin’s deep belief that hospitality is as much about creating community and shared experiences as it is about exceptional food and service.

He has worked with North Point Ministries over 13 years educating and encouraging resourced individuals to maximize Kingdom impact with the ’surplus’ financial and influence resources entrusted to them.

Dr. Franklin serves on several Boards advising organizations on creating irresistible customer focused environments, developing leaders who inspire excellence, and building service experiences that earn lifelong loyalty — whether in a five-star hotel, a global brand, or a bustling neighborhood barbecue joint.”