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October 13-15, 2024 | Denver, CO — Registration will open soon! View News

AGENDA

SUNDAY // OCTOBER 13, 2024


| Registration

Registration Opens for Food Tour Participants

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.

| Food Tours

Fast Casual Food Tours

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.


| Registration opens

| Welcome & Opening Remarks
Host:
  • Cherryh Cansler | Vice President of Events | Networld Media Group


| Opening Keynote

Session Topic – Coming Soon!

Panelist:
  • Jason Rusk | SVP Restaurant Operations | Wonder

Sponsored by Botrista Beverages

| Awards Presentation

Fast Casual Hall of Fame

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.


| Networking Event

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 14, 2024


| Registration & Breakfast

| General Session

The Perfect Pitch

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!

Sponsored by Ovation

| Break

| Breakout Session

Are Third-Party Delivery Platforms Propelling Growth or Draining Profit?

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.

Sponsored by Loop
| Breakout Session

Tapping Technology to Increase Catering Sales

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.

Sponsored by Lunchbox

| Break

| Breakout Session

Beyond Burgers & Fries: Diversifying Your Menu for Competitive Advantage

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.

Sponsored by Consolidated Concepts
| Breakout Session

Building Restaurant Empires: Redefining Customer Engagement & Operational Excellence

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.

Sponsored by Square

| Lunch & Learn

Session Topic – Coming Soon!


| Breakout Session

Preparing Your Kitchen for the Robot Revolution

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.

Sponsored by Aniai
| Breakout Session

Unlocking Brand Loyalty and Growth via Unforgettable Experiences

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.

Sponsored by HYVE Brand Concierge

| Break

| 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.

Sponsored by Halton

| Break

| Breakout Session

Conquering Your Supply Chain Headaches in 2024 and Beyond

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).

Sponsored by Instacart Business
| Breakout Session

Navigating the Tech Wave: Streamlining Your Restaurant with Efficiency Tools

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. Attendees we’ll also explore the importance of having a POS system that achieves efficiency gains across all operations.

Sponsored by Revel Systems

| Break

| Keynote Session

Session Topic – Coming Soon!


| Break

| General Session

FastCasual Fashion Show

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

| Bus Transportation to the Dinner Party

| Offsite Event

Dinner Party

Join us for an evening of cocktails and dinner.

This private dinner party is included with your Summit registration at no additional cost.

Sponsored by Botrista Beverages


TUESDAY // OCTOBER 15, 2024


| Breakfast

| General Session

Executive Perspectives: Inspiration for Today’s Restaurant Leaders

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

Presenter:
  • Steve Lieber | VP of Franchise Development | BurgerFi

Sponsored by Workstream

| Break

| Breakout Session

Building an Empire from the Ground Up

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.

Panelist:
  • Sam Rothschild | COO | Slim Chickens

| Breakout Session

Session Topic – Coming Soon!


| Break

| Breakout Session

Session Topic – Coming Soon!

| Breakout Session

Session Topic – Coming Soon!


| Lunch & Learn

Session Topic – Coming Soon!


| Breakout Session

Session Topic – Coming Soon!

| Breakout Session

Session Topic – Coming Soon!


| Break

| Breakout Session

Session Topic – Coming Soon!

| Breakout Session

Session Topic – Coming Soon!


| Break

| General Session

CEO Roundtable / State of the 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 2025 and beyond.

Panelist:
  • Jennifer Schuler | CEO | Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream

Sponsored by Placer.ai

| Summit adjourns


View 2023 Agenda

TAKE YOUR TEAM TO THE SUMMIT

Register two attendees and get a third registration at no additional cost!