Join fast casual restaurant executives and other Summit attendees as we tour and eat out at some of Denver's top local fast casual restaurants.

Tours include:

• Dave's Hot Chicken
• Gong Cha
• Modern Market Eatery
• Rush Bowls
• Smashburger
• Taziki's Mediterranean Café
• Torchy’s Tacos
• Voodoo Doughnut

All attendees, sponsors and speakers must check in at the registration desk and pick up a name badge. Please wear your badge at all times during the Summit.

Spend some time in our suppliers pavilion, where you'll learn about products and services dedicated to improving your restaurant's operations.

Join Jason Rusk in a conversation about growth in the rapidly evolving world of fast-casual restaurants. As innovation and scale become more important than ever, how do we lead brands, and their workers into the new age?

Focusing on his time at Red Robin and Wonder, Jason will answer this question while diving into specific challenges of growth, leadership best practices and workforce development. 

For more than 20 years, fast casual concepts have been at the forefront of innovation in the restaurant industry, proving to be trendsetters in store design, menu development, customer experience and restaurant technology. That would not be possible, however, without the blood, sweat and tears of the men and women who lead those brands each day.

The Fast Casual Hall of Fame will honor three individuals, who through their vision and leadership, have driven not only the success of their brands, but of the fast casual segment as a whole.

Join us as we recognize this year's Fast Casual Hall of Fame Honorees.

Following a global contest, several concepts have been selected to be part of The Perfect Pitch. Listen and learn as entrepreneurs pitch their fast casual concepts. The pitchers will address not only the Summit’s attendees but also a panel of advisers who will give them advice about how to grow their concepts.

It’s our “nicer” version of “Shark Tank,” which means it’s all about helping small but innovative concepts get off the ground. The audience members will vote on their favorite pitch, and the winner will receive bragging rights (of course), a $3,500 prize and 6 months of free service with Ovation!

2024 Finalists:

• GAI Chicken & Rice
• Much Ado About Pizza
• Pasta di Guy
• Saigon Hustle
• Shootz

In today's competitive landscape, leveraging delivery aggregators offers undeniable reach, but soaring commissions, hidden fees and operational complexities can quickly erode your bottom line.

This session will help attendees navigate the third-party delivery landscape for real profitability by exploring data-driven insights, negotiation strategies, operational efficiencies, streamlining workflows to minimize delivery delays and maximize margins, marketing tactics and how to leverage technology solutions to automate processes and increase profitability.

Unlocking catering success lies beyond just delicious food. It's about leveraging technology to unlock efficiency, personalize experiences and drive profitable growth.

Join this session to delve into the cutting-edge technologies revolutionizing catering. Learn from industry experts and successful restaurateurs who are: Streamlining the order process, maximizing operational efficiency, discovering inventory management tools, routing optimization solutions, enhancing guest engagement and staying ahead of the curve via virtual reality experiences, AI-powered menu recommendations and contactless catering solutions.

The restaurant industry is constantly evolving, and consumers are demanding more than standard fast food, which means diversifying your menu is no longer an option, it's a necessity. This session will help attendees identify emerging trends and analyze their audience by learning how to segment customer base and tailor menu offerings.

It will also explore strategies to develop exciting menu items without sacrificing margins and how operators are using technology to streamline menu development, optimize costs, and personalize dining experiences.

Join this session to explore cutting-edge solutions that revolutionize customer engagement and operational excellence. Attendees will discuss how to future-proof their brands while also sharing best practices for optimizing workflow, inventory management and data utilization to drive efficiency and cost savings.

The experts will also dive into innovative strategies to engage, retain, and build loyalty and unlock untapped opportunities for growth through personalized marketing, strategic partnerships and emerging technologies.

Check out the industry's hottest styles as models strut down the runway showing off this season's must-have uniforms and accessories.

Spend some time in our suppliers pavilion, where you'll learn about products and services dedicated to improving your restaurant's operations.

Join us for small group discussions about some of the most pressing issues facing restaurant operators today. These informal group discussions allow attendees to learn from one another’s mistakes and successes.

Brain Exchange Topics:

• Catering Tips
• Creating an Energy Efficient Kitchen Starts with the Hood | Sponsored by Halton
• Employee Training & Retention
• The Restaurant Industry’s Secret Sauce for Marketing Success | Sponsored by agEnterprise

This 30-minute speed round will feature several 5-minute pitches about products and services designed to improve operations and the customer experience.

Although the fast casual industry thrives on speed, innovation and customer satisfaction, legal pitfalls can quickly disrupt momentum. This session equips attendees with the knowledge to identify and prevent common legal issues such as:

• Food safety and allergies
• Employee relations (wage and hour, discrimination, harassment)
• Navigating conflict and disputes (employee issues, food safety crises)
• Commercial Real Estate

By proactively addressing preventable legal issues, restaurants can focus on what matters most: delivering delicious food and exceptional customer experiences. The panelists will also provide information from the perspective of seasoned attorneys on how to handle these challenges in a healthy manner.

We all know creating connections with your audience is the best way to build repeat customers, and this session will explore exactly how to create the experiences responsible for forging emotional connections, fostering brand advocacy and unlocking new revenue streams.

Panelists will discuss experience-driven marketing and how to master the art of tailoring those experiences to ensure authenticity and a lasting impact. They’ll also explore technologies and approaches to build deeper customer engagement and how to measure success beyond likes and shares.

From rising costs to product shortages, navigating the supply chain in this new normal requires agility and strategic thinking. This session will equip restaurateurs with actionable tips and insights to optimize their supply chain for success. It will also teach them how customer preferences and purchasing habits are evolving (e.g., sustainability, local sourcing, online ordering) and highlight the importance of building resilient and adaptable supply chains and finding creative solutions to meet restocks, last-minute needs and niche ingredient sourcing.

Lastly, they’ll dissect emerging trends and technologies shaping the future of restaurant supply chains (e.g., automation, data analytics).

Labor shortages, rising food costs and demanding customer expectations make operating a restaurant tougher than ever, but fear not! Technology is here to help. This session will delve into real-world examples of how restaurants can leverage various tools to optimize both front-of-house and back-of-house operations to boost efficiency and profitability.

Discussion topics include using technology to reduce wait times, improve accuracy and better manage inventory operations, such as leveraging smart tools to track stock levels, automate ordering and minimize waste. We’ll also explore the importance of having a POS system that achieves efficiency gains across all operations.

Operators hear pitches all the time about products and services that will grow their business, but where’s the proof? We’ve got it right here.

This session includes three 15-minute presentations, each featuring one vendor and one operator sharing the how, when and ROI behind recent rollouts.

• Dave's Hot Chicken and RAD - Restaurant Analytics Delivered
• H&H Bagels and ResQ
• Marco's Pizza and S-NET Communications

We'll meet for a pre-party drink with Botrista at 6 p.m. and then hop on a bus for the 5-minute drive to the offsite dinner party.

Join your fellow industry colleagues for an exclusive dinner party at Bierstadt Lagerhaus, RiNo's premier German-style brewpub.

What's on tap?

• A dedicated feast on handcrafted lagers (including their famed Slow Pour Pils!)
• Delicious pub fare and German-inspired dishes to fuel your #LagerHard adventures.
• Games galore! From oversized yard games and vintage pinball to a giant video wall, the Bierhalle offers entertainment for all.
• Soak up the sun (and the suds) at the expansive outdoor Biergarten.
• Prepare to be entertained by the talented wrestlers of Rocky Mountain Pro Wrestling.

This private dinner party is included with your Summit registration at no additional cost, so grab your stein and get ready to Prost!.

First buses depart at 6:30 pm for the quick 10-minute ride to Bierstadt Lagerhaus.

In this session, you will hear four short, thought-provoking talks that will leave you challenged and inspired.

• Leading with the Right Mindset | Jason Brooks
• Cat. Dude. Bae. Sus. Bet: How to Build Brands and Cultures Multi-Generationally | Josh Halpern
• Franchising: OG and NewG Perspectives | Steve Lieber & Mitchell Nolan
• How Tech is Disrupting the Restaurant Industry | Sara Grofcsik & Sukhmani Mohta

The fast casual industry thrives on innovation and a customer-centric approach, yet, a key demographic is often underrepresented in leadership: women. This session dives into the benefits of gender diversity at the top table, exploring how attendees can unlock a wealth of talent, improve decision-making and gain a competitive edge by fostering female leadership. It will also equip them with the knowledge and tools needed to create a more inclusive leadership pipeline and empower more women to climb the corporate ladder within their brand.

READ: Breaking bread and biases: Why restaurants (still) need more female voices

Franchising offers a powerful growth strategy, but navigating the process requires careful planning and execution. This session will provide insights on lead generation, operational readiness and ongoing franchisee support. Restaurant operators will share successful and unsuccessful lead qualification methods and how they've streamlined operations for scalability while maintaining brand consistency.

In the fast-paced world of restaurants, employee satisfaction is a key ingredient to success. Happy staff provide better customer service, reduce turnover costs, and create a positive work environment.

This session will explore the top strategies for keeping your restaurant team motivated, engaged, and working hard to deliver exceptional experiences. Experts will discuss investing in growth, using technology for hiring, training and engaging employees as well as how to create a more inclusive culture and why work-life balance is so important. 

The restaurant industry is facing a triple threat: rising labor costs, shrinking profit margins and the increasing demand for speed and efficiency. While robots might seem like something out of a sci-fi movie, they're quickly becoming a reality in kitchens across the globe.

Our experts will discuss the rise of robotics in the restaurant industry and reveal the different types being used in food preparation, service and cleaning. They’ll also explore the real-world impact of automation on labor costs, operational efficiency and food quality as well as the potential challenges and ethical considerations surrounding robotic implementation.

Fast casual brands of all sizes are trading in traditional locations for airports, gas stations, college campuses and arenas. This session features executives sharing how they identified the best areas and venues for their businesses while expanding brand awareness, boosting convenience and cutting costs.

Food waste is a major cost burden and environmental concern for restaurants, but in this interactive session, industry leaders will share proven strategies for reducing food waste without sacrificing profitability. Attendees will learn about data-driven solutions, creative menu planning, packaging innovation, food rescue partnerships and strategies for educating and motivating staff on food waste reduction practices.

If you have ever envisioned your restaurant concept getting replicated across cities, states and countries, franchising may be the path for you. This session will guide attendees through the entire process, from conceptualizing your franchise model to attracting the right franchisees and ensuring operational excellence across your brand.

Panelists will discuss how to create a model that's replicable, profitable and attractive to potential franchisees as well as how to navigate the legal and regulatory framework essential for successful franchising. They will also share effective marketing tactics to attract franchisees and grow your brand footprint.

Restaurant operators understand that financial management and location performance are imperative to success but measuring those key metrics across many locations can seem like an insurmountable challenge. In this session, panelists will share technology, best practices, and strategies that promote:

• FINANCIAL INSIGHTS AND DATA CONSOLIDATION – Access the near real-time financial data of your restaurant locations mapped to a brand-defined Standard Chart of Accounts.
• COACHING FOR PERFORMANCE – Deploy simple tools to coach your restaurant location owners/managers for performance.
• BRAND COMPLIANCE AND EXPANSION – Ensure ecosystem compliance with brand-defined standards and promote brand expansion.

This panel packed with fast casual CEOs will talk about important issues restaurant operators face today and what it will take to succeed in 2025 and beyond.