TUESDAY / OCTOBER 11, 2016 / 8:30 AM
The Perfect Pitch
Following a global contest, three concepts will be selected to be part of The Perfect Pitch. Listen and learn as entrepreneurs pitch their fast casual concepts to a panel of distinguished investors and consultants who will provide on-the-spot advice.
PANELISTS
Ben Butler | Founder | Rock Creek MT LLC
Ben has extensive experience growing brands in Asia, Latin and North America. His advisory clients include PE firms (CVC Capital Partners, ACTIS) and brands (Dave & Busters, Bloomin Brands). Ben is an active angel investor in restaurants. He serves as a Board Director for AgroAmerica; Central America’s largest sustainable banana and palm producer, and as Oaktree Capital’s Board representative for Quiznos. Prior to his Advisory practice, Ben enjoyed 18 years with YUM! Brands (KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell) as President Long John Silver’s and A&W restaurants. GM YUM! Latin America, and VP Business Development/CFO for YUM! Asia.
session sponsor
David Oddi | Founding Partner | Goode Partners
David is a founding partner of Goode Partners, a private equity firm that focuses exclusively on investment opportunities in the restaurant, retail, apparel, direct marketing, and branded consumer product sectors. The firm has established itself as a partner of choice to entrepreneurs by leveraging its unique combination of investment capital, a team of professionals with experience investing in and operating some of the world’s premiere consumer brands and an extensive industry network. Investments in the restaurant sector have included Chuy’s, Elephant Bar, Marie Callender’s, Mimi’s Café, and Rosa Mexicano. David is a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Otto Othman| CMO & Co-Founder| Pincho Factory
With 13 years of interactive design experience, Otto Othman has led creative teams on award winning campaigns for clients such as FIAT, Coca Cola, Chrysler and Sprint. Otto is the Co-founder of the award winning burgers and kebabs restaurant called Pincho Factory in Miami. Leveraging social media and technology, Pincho Factory has created a very loyal following/cult in Miami. After winning the 2015 Food Network Burger bash, Pincho Factory has grown into 5 locations and has 10 under development with plans to reach 50 locations signed by the end of 2018.
Larry Reinstein | President | LJR Hospitality Ventures
Larry is President of LJR Hospitality Ventures, a consulting firm that provides profitable solutions to private equity, owners and operators of restaurant companies. Having led multiple companies, he is one of the original innovators and leaders in fast casual and is past chair of the Fast Casual Industry council.
MODERATOR
Rob Kenny | Director, Retail, Restaurant & Brand Solutions | RetailMeNot
Rob Kenny is currently focused on helping restaurants and brands increase their revenue and guest traffic. At RetailMeNot, Rob serves as Director, Retail, Restaurants and Brand Solutions. He leads a team responsible for deepening relationships with restaurants, brands and retailers in North America. Prior to RetailMeNot, Rob spent nine years at McDonald’s Corporation, leading the process for operationally friendly, consumer driven business and marketing plans for over 700+ owner-operator and company owned restaurants. In addition to his restaurant experience, he spent seven years in the sports marketing industry, leading sponsorships, sales and promotional marketing integration with prominent teams across the NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAA and professional soccer leagues. Whether it’s been restaurants or sports, his mission has been “getting butt’s in seats”
