AGENDA
SUNDAY // OCTOBER 8, 2023
Fast Casual Food Tours
Join fast casual restaurant executives and other Summit attendees as we tour and eat out at some of Louisville’s top local fast casual restaurants.

- Cherryh Cansler | VP of Events | Networld Media Group
Session Topic – Coming Soon!
Keynote Speaker:- JJ Johnson | Founder & Chef | FIELDTRIP

Fast Casual Hall of Fame Induction
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 honor the 2023 inductees into the Fast Casual Hall of Fame.
- Cherryh Cansler | VP of Events | Networld Media Group

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 9, 2023
Session Topic – Coming Soon!
Sponsored by AT&T BusinessThe 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), a $3,500 prize and 6 months of free service with Ovation!

Is Your Brand Too Stacked?
Restaurants of all sizes have spent the past few years investing in a variety of technologies to help them understand the health of their brands, gain visibility into their spend management and streamline many of their processes. Although automation is imperative to cutting costs, brands are starting to minimize their tech stack and are focusing on “one-stop shop” solutions as they lack the bandwidth to manage so many platforms.
The tech gurus on this panel will reveal their strategies.
- Prakash Karamchandani | Co-Founder | Balance Pan-Asian Grille
Sponsored by Consolidated Concepts
Mastering Multi-Location Marketing
Although multi-location marketing requires a consistent brand message between locations, each store has its own unique needs.
This session will give you strategies to keep your branding on target while also addressing specific needs.
Growing With a Leaner Team
Shortages when it comes to hiring cashiers, cooks and drivers aren’t the only labor issues facing the industry; corporate and franchise teams are also leaner than ever, which means those positions could use a little boost from technology as well as operations experts.
This session will teach you how the use of smart technology, combined with real estate brokers, in-house development and construction expertise can help you grow without hiring a new team.
- David Bloom | Chief Development & Operating Officer | Capriotti’s & Wing Zone
Sponsored by Leasecake
Charting a New Course With Loyalty Marketing
Brands are struggling. Just consider these statistics froma recent study:
- 54% find it difficult to interpret customer data and understand the needs of the moment.
- 53% are challenged with creating personalized advertising experiences.
- 47% said it is hard to deliver the right message at the right time, and 42% are struggling to find the right channel.
- 23% are unsure what promotions will be most effective.
- 19% can't change their strategy quickly enough to respond to unforeseen events.
So what’s a brand to do? Chart a new course, of course, and this panel will show restaurants how to rethink where and how they engage customers.
- Josh Halpern | CEO | Big Chicken
Sponsored by Vericast
Session Topic – Coming Soon!

Exploring Leadership Pathways for Equitable Representation
Although nearly half (47.8%) of all restaurant employees are minorities with workers of color comprising nearly half of the restaurant industry and women making up 54% of all restaurant workers, the leadership team at most brands do not reflect those numbers.
This session discusses how different perspectives and approaches are invaluable to any successful company and how your brand can create intercultural teams and strive to strengthen the diversity within the organization.
Driving Profits at the Drive-Thru
- Jim Bitticks | President & COO | Dave's Hot Chicken
Sponsored by Revel Systems
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.

Using Restaurant Design Trends To Streamline Operations
It’s tempting to rebrand or plan redesigns when you see the competition rolling out new logos, equipment and service models, but redesigns work best when done in tandem with operations teams.
This session will feature brands that have tested prototypes or remodeled in an effort to speed up service and enhance the customer experience.
Making Your Brand Investment Worthy
Whether your brand is looking to get acquired or is in need of funds to help expand and navigate the challenges spurred by labor shortages, supply chain and higher food costs, this session will teach what investors seek in a solid investment.
Hear directly from brands that have secured funding and from investors who will share what types of restaurants they avoid and what gets them to open their checkbooks.
Session Topic – Coming Soon!

Dinner Party
After a full day of inspiring sessions, get ready for an evening of relaxing, fun and networking.

TUESDAY // OCTOBER 10, 2023
Session Topic – Coming Soon!
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.
- How To Be a Hot Concept Without Fizzling Out | Mike Speck
- Mike Speck | CEO & Partner | FUSIAN

The Metaverse, NFTs, Live Streaming, Oh My!
Old-school marketing isn’t cutting it these days as customers expect their favorite brands to be available to them whenever and wherever they are.
Learn how combining tech-savviness with creativity marketing campaigns will elevate your presence.
Embracing AI Without Killing Your Budget
Cutting costs, reducing errors, improving customer satisfaction and enhancing the customer experience are just a few benefits of incorporating artificial intelligence into operations, but upgrading systems isn’t always affordable.
This session shows you the pros and cons of a variety of higher-tech solutions.
Session Topic – Coming Soon!
How Optimizing Digital Menus Boosts Sales
Optimizing your digital menu is one of the most important tools when it comes to increasing customer satisfaction – which results in higher check spend and more frequent visits.
This session explores how and why menu optimization can yield a high ROI when done correctly.
- Adam Terranova | Sr. Director of Growth | WOWorks
Session Topic – Coming Soon!

Session Topic – Coming Soon!
Session Topic – Coming Soon!
Session Topic – Coming Soon!
Session Topic – Coming Soon!
CEO Roundtable / State of Industry
- André Vener | Founding Partner | Dog Haus Worldwide

View 2022 Agenda