opportunity, this next story just might change your mind. cat cole started working as a waitress at shooters, and now runs one of the best-known food chains in the country. zane asher has the story. >> this is where the food science happens. >> reporter: cat cole knows a thing or two by rising. it wasn't long ago she was the one carrying the tray. cole started her career at age 17 waiting tables at a hooters in florida. now, she's traded buffalo wings for the board room, as president of cinnabon. >> everybody had a first job. most of us were waitresses, but mine was a little unique. it make it is more fun to talk about. >> reporter: cole runs a $1 billion franchise empire, one that employs 12,000 people. but she says that first job as a hooters server gave her a taste of what she had to do to succeed.