AGENDA
SUNDAY // OCTOBER 18, 2020
10:00 am | Registration opens for Food Tour participants
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Fast Casual Food Tours
Join fast casual restaurant executives and other Summit attendees as we tour and eat out at some of Charlotte’s top local fast casual restaurants.
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Fast Casual Food Tours
Join fast casual restaurant executives and other Summit attendees as we tour and eat out at some of Austin’s top local fast casual restaurants.
Tours include:
| • Austin Daily Press • Baby Greens • Bird Bird Biscuit • Chi’Lantro • Corner Bakery Cafe |
• Freebirds World Burrito • Kitchen United • MezzeMe • Nékter Juice Bar • Newk’s Eatery |
• Paperboy • Pokeatery • Tarka Indian Kitchen • True Food Kitchen • Velvet Taco |
- Sponsored by Kitchen United
3:00 pm | Registration opens
5:00 pm | Opening Remarks
• Cherryh Cansler | VP of Editorial | Networld Media Group
5:10 pm | Opening Keynote
PRESENTER:
• Scott Boatwright | Chief Restaurant Officer | Chipotle Mexican Grill
- Sponsored by 7shifts
5:10 pm | Opening Keynote
Why Companies That Innovate on People and Talent Will Win
Companies that innovate will be successful, but companies that innovate on people and talent will win. If you have the talent piece in place, your brand can thrive in an age where every company in every industry is disrupting or transforming their category. As a long-established successful fast-casual brand, Panera has been on a transformation journey of its own, underscored by investments in technology—to seamlessly integrate digital ordering platforms, Rapid Pick-Up and delivery services—as well as its commitment to clean and healthy ingredients. A pivotal part of that journey, for every company, is attracting both customers and top talent to carry the brand into the future.
PRESENTER:
• Karen Kelley | SVP, Chief Restaurant Operations Officer | Panera Bread
- Sponsored by 7shifts
6:00 – 8:00 pm | Networking
Welcome Reception
This is a great opportunity to meet some of our speakers, sponsors and your fellow attendees over hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.
MONDAY // OCTOBER 19, 2020
7:00 am | Registration & Breakfast
7:40 am | Breakfast Briefing
- Sponsored by Netsurion
7:40 am | Breakfast Briefing
PRESENTER
Charles Fuhrmann
Lead, Enterprise Services
Square
8:00 am | General Session
Executive Perspectives: Inspiration for Today’s Restaurant Leaders
In this session, you will hear three short, thought-provoking talks that will leave you challenged and inspired.
Presenters:
Session Topic – Coming Soon!
• Jeff Fenster | Founder & CEO | Everbowl
Session Topic – Coming Soon!
• Samantha Rincione | Founder, CEO & COO | CRAVE Franchising
Session Topic – Coming Soon!
• Joe Thornton | Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer | HMSHost
Moderator:
• Zach Goldstein | Founder & CEO | Thanx
- Sponsored by Thanx
9:00 am | Refreshment Break
9:30 am | Breakout Session
Sustainability Made Easy
Customers expect their favorite restaurant brands to be as green as possible without diluting food quality or the customer experience.
This session will show attendees how to identify easy fixes to reduce waste as well as give creative tips on how to not only train employees but inspire them to want to do their parts in reducing the brand’s carbon footprint.
Panelists:
• Sandra Noonan | Chief Sustainability Officer | Just Salad
• Gregg Rozeboom | Founder & CEO | Fruitive
9:30 am | Breakout Session
We’re Living in a Mobile Revolution
It may sound dramatic to call these times that we are living in a mobile revolution, but that doesn’t make it any less true.
As we see more technology and disruption in the restaurant market, brands must continue to adjust accordingly. Where restaurants used to only focus on their menus, physical environments and the experience created there, they now must become experts in technology and in creating experiences for guests who may never set foot in a physical restaurant.
This session will teach attendees how to do just that.
Panelists:
• Kelly Roddy | CEO | Saladworks
- Sponsored by Paytronix
10:30 am | Refreshment Break
11:00 am | Breakout Session
Where Do You Stand in the ‘New Era’ of Third-Party Delivery?
Orders through delivery apps are expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 27.9%. That equates to about $16.6 billion by 2023. And as with any new hyper-growth technology, it means that the companies competing for a significant position are rapidly evolving.
This session will not only discuss who the key players are in delivery and the recent changes but will also teach attendees how to take advantage of advancements in efficiency and performance made available in 2020.
Panelists:
• Tony Darden | President & COO | MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes
• Kevin Fish | Senior Vice President, Digital | Wingstop
• Chad Fox | Director of Operations | Four Foods Group
- Sponsored by ItsaCheckmate
11:00 am | Breakout Session
Women in the Lead: Keeping the Momentum Going
Although it’s true that more women than ever are holding leadership roles as chefs, CEOs and vice presidents, we are still a long way from a 50-50 gender split.
This panel brings together several female leaders of the fast casual industry who will discuss how they overcame the challenges they faced on their way to the top and how the industry can be more inclusive of all genders.
Panelists:
• Amy Hom | VP of Operations | sweetgreen
• Laurie Schalow | Chief Corporate Reputation Officer | Chipotle Mexican Grill
• Carin Stutz | CEO | Native Foods
- Sponsored by Messner Reeves
12:00 pm | Lunch & Learn
- Sponsored by Middleby Corporation
12:00 pm | Lunch & Learn
You Want to Cook Where?
PRESENTER:
• Scott Heim | Divisional President | Evo, Inc.
- Sponsored by Middleby Corporation
PRESENTER
Scott Heim
Divisional President
Evo, Inc.
12:45 pm | Breakout Session
Uncovering Supply Chain Hacks
Scaling your brand is not possible without a solid supply chain in place, but the word, “solid” often means expensive and immobile. But does it have to be?
Our experts say no and will reveal the ways they increase operations efficiencies, reduce costs and improve revenue.
Panelists:
• Michael Mohammed | CEO | Chronic Tacos
- Sponsored by Consolidated Concepts
12:45 pm | Breakout Session
Calculating the Value of Self-Service
What if you could see a huge increase in your average ticket size by spending a little money upfront? That’s what happened last year at the AT&T Center, the Cincinnati Museum Center and LSU. After deploying self-service kiosks in their food and restaurant areas, those companies saw 18%, 20% and 16% increases in average order sizes, respectively.
This session will demonstrate how kiosks can enhance the guest experience and increase staff productivity to drive financial performance, improve guest experience and future-proof operations. And we’ll discuss how to calculate the ROI to see if a deployment is in your brand’s best interest.
Panelists:
• Todd Madlener | President & COO | Coolgreens
• Aaron Noveshen | Founder & President | Starbird & Culinary Edge Ventures
- Sponsored by Appetize
1:45 pm | Refreshment Break
2:45 pm | General Session
Brain Exchange
The Brain Exchange breaks attendees into small groups to discuss 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.
2:15 pm | General Session
Brain Exchange
The Brain Exchange breaks attendees into small groups to discuss 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:
• ADVERTISING | Engaging Today’s Mobile Consumer Sponsored by: Clear Channel Outdoor
• CATERING | From operations to marketing to food waste, is your catering program up to par?
• DELIVERY | Do you have the right tech and operations in place to do it right? Sponsored by: ItsaCheckmate
• DIGITAL PROMOTION | How are you using digital channels to drive visits and win share of stomach against restaurants, grocery and convenience? Sponsored by: Flipp Corporation
• DRIVING TRAFFIC | Best digital practices to drive foot traffic/in-store visits Sponsored by: AdTheorent
• EXPERIENCE | Going beyond food to set yourself apart Sponsored by: Touchpoint Restaurant Innovations
• FUNDING | Does your brand have what it takes to raise funds in order to grow? Sponsored by: Chase
• GOING GLOBAL | When and where should you first open outside your home country? Sponsored by: Sift
• LOYALTY | How to use the power of personalization to drive incremental customers and incremental profits Sponsored by: GetUpside
• MENU TRENDS | From CBD to plant-only foods, what’s hot in 2020?
• MILLENNIALS | How 50% of the American Workforce Influences QSR Spend Sponsored by: Dinova
• STAYING RELEVANT | What are you doing to attract younger customers? Sponsored by: Postmates
• SUPPLY CHAIN | New Technologies to Create a Safer, Faster, and Smarter Supply Chain Sponsored by: Controlant
• TALENT | Recruiting, training and retaining good employees Sponsored by: Square
3:30 pm | Energy Break
4:00 pm | General Session
6:30 – 9:30 pm | Dinner Party
NASCAR Hall of Fame
After a full day of informative and inspiring sessions, get ready for an evening of great food, conversation and fun at the NASCAR Hall of Fame!
Boogity, boogity, boogity! Enjoy an evening at the home of legends and explore the history of NASCAR. Uncover new stories and get in on the action at every turn with more than 50 interactive experiences. Get behind the wheel of an iRacing simulator on your favorite track or see if you have what it takes to make the team in our Pit Crew Challenge. Hear intimate, never-before-told stories of the past.
You’ll get to experience it all and have fun with fellow Summit attendees as we will have exclusive access to the NASCAR Hall of Fame!
This private dinner party is included with your Summit registration at no additional cost. Please wear your badge.
- Sponsored by 7shifts
TUESDAY // OCTOBER 20, 2020
7:30 am | Breakfast
8:00 am | General Session
The Perfect Pitch
Following a global contest, five 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) and a $3,500 prize!
- Sponsored by Henny Penny
8:00 am | General Session
The Perfect Pitch
Following a global contest, six 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) and a $5,000 prize!
2019 Finalists:
• Due’ Cucina Italiana
• Karma Farm
• Puli-Ra
• Roll Play
• Royals Hot Chicken
• Sweet Carrot
Advisers:
• Massimo De Marco | Chief Culinary Officer | Kitchen United
• Josh Goldin | Founder & Managing Partner | Alliance Consumer Growth
• Kathleen Wood | Founder & CEO | Kathleen Wood Partners | Suzy’s Swirl
Moderator:
• Jason Moles | Senior Brand Manager | Henny Penny
- Sponsored by Henny Penny
9:30 am | Refreshment Break
10:00 am | General Session
Coming Back From COVID-19
It is fair to say that no single event has rocked the entire restaurant industry like the coronavirus outbreak, and brands – big and small – are still rebuilding from the fallout.
This session will be filled with stories not only from executives who kept their businesses afloat during the trying time but what they learned and how they are moving forward.
Panelists:
• John Le Bel | President & CEO | Anthony’s Pizza & Pasta
• Kyle Noonan | Owner & CEO | Free Range Concepts
• Yong Zhao | Co-Founder & CEO | junzi
Moderator:
• Tracey Fullington | National Account Manager | Essity North America
- Sponsored by Essity
10:45 am | Refreshment Break
11:15 am | Breakout Session
Chef Chatter: Menu Trends Revealed
Chefs must be on the cutting edge of all menu trends, and who better to reveal next year’s most popular foods than the people designing menus for some of the hottest up and coming fast casuals.
11:15 am | Breakout Session
Don’t Do Business Like A Rookie
Whether you are a seasoned restaurant operator or new to the business, it’s always best to learn from other people’s mistakes instead of making your own.
This session will run through 10 common missteps that you’ll want to avoid.
Panelists:
• Charlie Guzzetta | Chief Brand Development Officer | BurgerFi
• Rajina Pradhan | COO | Tarka Indian Kitchen
• Nick Vojnovic | President | Little Greek Franchise Development
12:00 pm | Lunch & Learn
12:25 pm | Lunch & Learn
Supplier Flexibility & Innovation is the Name of the Game
Today, it’s all about digitizing the restaurant experience from the front of house, back of house and outside the four walls. Consumer uses of technology are evolving fast with online ordering, delivery, loyalty, kiosks, pay at table and more. Restaurants need to move fast too to keep up and keep ahead of their consumer’s expectations. This means suppliers need a flexible mindset to enable restaurants to move faster with innovations and go to market strategies.
In this panel, discover how critical it is for the digital restaurant space to look for opportunities to stay agile, iterate new functionalities and get feedback from consumers and restaurant operators in near real-time.
Panelists:
• Mike O’Hanlon | Head of Catering Partner Business | ezCater
• Shaun Shankel | CEO | ToGo Technologies
• Shane Wheatland | Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer | Omnivore
Moderator:
• Cherryh Cansler | VP of Editorial | Networld Media Group
- Sponsored by Omnivore & ToGoTechnologies
1:00 pm | Breakout Session
How to Get in the Food Safety Zone
Keeping customers and employees safe has been one of the year’s most pressing issues whether it’s containing the spread of COVID-19 or avoiding foodborne illnesses that can often crop up in restaurants.
This session will take a look at how restaurants fighting the good fight are succeeding by implementing strict procedures, inspiring employee and leadership buy-in as well as using technology when possible.
Panelists:
• Steve Felson | Vice President of Operations | Bonchon
• Carl Howard | President & CEO | Fazoli’s
1:00 pm | Breakout Session
1:45 pm | Energy Break
2:00 pm | Breakout Session
2:00 pm | Breakout Session
2:45 pm | Refreshment Break
3:00 pm | Breakout Session
3:00 pm | Breakout Session
3:45 pm | Energy Break
4:00 pm | General Session
CEO Roundtable / State of Industry
This panel packed with fast casual CEOs will talk about important issues restaurant operators face today and what it will take to succeed in 2021 and beyond.
Panelists:
• Tom Gordon | Co-Founder & CEO | Slim Chickens
- Sponsored by TOAST
5:00 pm | Summit adjourns
