2015 Agenda

5:00 – 6:00pm | Opening Keynote

In this talk, Jeremy Gutsche will teach you a proven path to unstoppable ideas. With tactics he’s developed by studying tens of thousands of ideas, and frameworks he’s tested while helping to solve some of the world’s toughest innovation problems with his 300+ clients, ranging from Coca-Cola to Sony to Wells Fargo, he’ll teach you to look for the patterns of opportunity right in front of you. How do we overcome psychological traps that block our success? Based on his upcoming book Better & Faster, Gutsche connects human evolution with our ability to adapt to rapid change. Showing you why smart people miss great ideas and what to do about it. Gutsche’s highly engaging, humorous and educational lessons are drawn from the untold tales of reclusive billionaires, and ordinary people who achieved the unthinkable by simply seeing the opportunities that others overlooked. He’ll teach you to see patterns and clues that will lead you to be a better investor, better innovator, better creator and better at adapting. You will be better and faster.

8:00 – 9:00am | Breakout Session

There are many ways a restaurant operator can take their brand to the next level. Whether growth comes through financing, franchising, outside investors or licensing agreement, there are pros and cons to each approach. Hear from our panel of experts on the best methods of growth for brands of any size and the steps operators can take to keep moving forward.

9:30 – 10:30am | Breakout Session

No doubt about it, the fast casual segment of the restaurant industry is growing. Sales grew 11 percent last year, and unit count and traffic were up 8 percent at a time when numbers for other segments of the industry remained flat. With such strong numbers, it’s no wonder other segments are trying to get a piece of the action. This panel will feature leaders from brands in quick service and casual dining segments who are crossing over into fast casual. We’ll hear from them about what’s working, what’s not, and what they have learned from the fast casual segment.

11:00am – Noon | Breakout Session

With mobile being the best kept secret in retail, it’s no wonder restaurant operators are looking for ways they can utilize mobile to increase traffic and audience engagement. So what, exactly, is the state of mobile and which avenues of mobile technology should restaurant operators use to capitalize on the one thing that keeps everyone connected?

4:00pm – 5:00pm | Breakout Session

From reflecting brand values to setting the mood to keeping traffic flowing, restaurant design plays a big part in the customer’s experience. We’ll take a look at design trends on the horizon and discuss how to make technology seamlessly fit into the environment.

8:30am – 9:30am | General Session

Following a global contest, three concepts were selected to be part of The Perfect Pitch. Listen and learn as entrepreneurs from Burgers n’ Fries Forever,  Mac n’ Cheez, and Pincho Factory pitch their fast casual concepts to a panel of distinguished investors and consultants who will provide on-the-spot advice.

10:00am – 11:00am | Breakout Session

Email marketing is more than birthday reminders and promo codes. It’s a way to build an emotional connection with your guests while collecting valuable consumer insights. Everybody uses it. Few use it well. In this session, learn the best uses for email marketing campaigns and how to create an effective form of communication between your brand, your current guests and your future ones.

11:15am – 12:15pm | Breakout Session

What defines your brand? Is it light-hearted or earnest? Deeply committed to sustainable farming or all about craveable indulgence? How you define your brand touches every aspect of your business — from the employees who represent the brand to the food on the menu to the in house decor. We’ll explore how to develop a cohesive, appealing brand from the ground up.

1:00pm – 2:00pm | Breakout Session

Fast casual restaurants are growing rapidly, but simply blanketing trade areas with locations is sure to backfire. Learn how customer analytics are helping fast casual brands better understand who their customers are and where more potential customers are located in order to open high performing locations and get more out of existing locations.