Agenda
Sunday // October 5, 2025
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:
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.
Host
Cherryh Cansler
Join us as we welcome Chef Baul and Daniella Williams, the dynamic duo behind Atlanta’s rising culinary stars, Binky’s and Betty Sue’s. Chef Baul, a former tour chef for music icons like Migos, Cardi B, and Kendrick Lamar, and Daniella, a financial literacy powerhouse, will share their incredible journey of overcoming adversity to achieve remarkable success in the restaurant industry.
This keynote will delve into:
- The Power of Heritage: Discover how Chef Baul’s grandmother, Betty Sue, a former chef to Leon Spinks, instilled the culinary passion that fuels his creations and the importance of preserving culinary heritage, especially during black history month and beyond.
- Resilience and Recovery: Learn how Chef Baul and Daniella turned setbacks, including homelessness and a failed restaurant deal, into a foundation for triumph.
- Financial Foundations for Restaurant Success: Daniella Williams, founder of The Ivy League Academy, will provide invaluable insights into building strong business credit, securing funding, and navigating the financial complexities of the restaurant world.
Keynote Speakers
Chef Bryant “Baul” Williams
Daniella Williams
Following a global contest, several concepts have been selected to be part of The Perfect Pitch, which is three rounds this year.
Entrepreneurs will pitch their fast casual concepts to attendees and a panel of advisers who will quiz them about their growth plans and also give them advice.
Choosing a winner: Four founders will pitch their concepts during Round 1 with the audience selecting a winner. During round 2, four more will pitch their business plans, and the audience will vote for a winner. During round 3, those two winners will go head-to-head answering audience and adviser questions. The audience will vote for a final winner.
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, 6 months of free service with Ovation and a starring spot on the Fast Casual Frontrunners series to compete for a $200,000 investment from Savor.
2025 Finalists:
Presenters
Billal Jaber
Curtis Seal
Neil Syal
Advisers
Paul Barron
Cassie Ghaffar
Sandy Nguyen
Zack Oates
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.
Hosts
Cherryh Cansler
David Moore
Honorees
Jim Mizes
Robin Robison
Jeff Sinelli
Monday // October 6, 2025
Presenters
Maggie Josti
Matthew Mitchell
Thy Mitchell
Cleo Uchôa
Pedro Uchôa
Advisers
Paul Barron
Cassie Ghaffar
Sandy Nguyen
Zack Oates
Tired of the staffing struggle? Feeling overwhelmed by the hiring process? This session will ditch the tired, old tactics and show you how to weaponize technology to dominate your staffing game.
We'll explore cutting-edge solutions to:
- Reduce turnover and increase retention.
- Gain valuable data insights for tracking key hiring metrics, identifying recruitment bottlenecks and managing employee performance and engagement.
- Improve communication and collaboration between management, staff and customers to streamline operations, improve efficiency and foster a more positive and productive work environment.
Panelists
Stacey Gelber
Robin Robison
Attendees will explore how to leverage data analytics and loyalty programs to deliver personalized experiences.
We’ll discuss:
- Collecting and analyzing customer data to tailor experiences to individual customer needs and expectations.
- Designing a loyalty program that incentivizes customer engagement and data collection.
- Driving operational efficiency by using data to forecast demand, optimize inventory, and improve kitchen efficiency.
- Leveraging data to identify operational bottlenecks and improve service delivery.
Panelists
Jim Bitticks
John Dillon
Geoff Henry
Jason Ingermanson
Moderator
Ashish Tulsian
Are your promotions actually growing your business, or just giving away margin? This session, led by experts in incremental growth, will dive into how you can transform your promotional strategy from a guessing game into a profit-driving engine. Learn to identify truly new customers, optimize your offers, and understand the real return on every marketing dollar you spend.
Attendees will learn:
- How to differentiate between "dead discounts" and genuinely incremental sales that boost your bottom line.
- How to design promotions that attract new customers and increase overall profitability, rather than just cannibalizing existing revenue.
- Practical ways to leverage transactional data to measure the true ROI of your marketing spend.
Panelist
Scott Ball
Moderator
Ryan Gaylor
The role of the restaurant marketer is undergoing a dramatic evolution. This engaging session will explore the multifaceted challenges and exciting opportunities facing today's marketers as they navigate shifting consumer behaviors, technological advancements, and economic headwinds.
You'll learn about:
- Adapting to today's marketing reality via digital channels, data analytics and cross-functional collaboration.
- Managing the complexities of omnichannel menu presentation and ensuring a seamless brand experience.
- Navigating economic uncertainty.
- Using AI to enhance marketing effectiveness
- Connecting with every generation.
- Reclaiming the digital customer.
- Empowering local impact.
Panelists
David "Rev" Ciancio
Jennifer Dodd
Jane McPherson
Moderator
Michael Magerl
Spend some time in our suppliers pavilion, where you'll learn about products and services dedicated to improving your restaurant's 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.
Catering represents a significant, yet often underutilized, revenue stream for fast casual restaurants. This dynamic session brings together winners of the "Top 30 Catering" awards to share their winning strategies for maximizing catering sales and profitability.
Attendees will leave the session with:
- A clear understanding of the potential for catering to drive revenue growth in the fast casual sector.
- Practical strategies for developing and implementing a successful catering program.
- Actionable tips for marketing, selling, and delivering catering services effectively.
- Inspiration and innovative ideas from industry-leading catering operators.
- Insights on how to leverage technology to optimize catering operations and enhance the customer experience.
Moderator
James Walker
Join us to explore the practical applications of artificial intelligence within the fast casual restaurant landscape.
We'll move beyond the hype and delve into real-world examples and actionable strategies for leveraging AI to:
- Optimize kitchen operations.
- Predictive inventory management.
- Streamline order fulfillment.
- Enhance food quality.
- Improve customer experience with personalized recommendations and AI-powered chatbots.
- Create targeted marketing.
- Identify emerging trends.
Panelists
Kyle Gordon
Ryan Jones
Aaron Noveshen
The traditional franchise model is evolving rapidly driven by changing consumer demands, technological advancements and a shift in franchisee expectations.
This session will explore the latest trends and innovations in franchising, including:
- Micro-franchising: Exploring the potential of smaller-scale, lower-cost franchise opportunities and their impact on accessibility and market penetration.
- Technology-enabled franchising: Leveraging technology to streamline operations, enhance communication, and empower franchisees with data-driven insights.
- Shared-service models.
- Multi-unit franchising and area development:
- Empowering the modern franchisee with data-driven decision-making and continuous learning and development.
- Building strong franchisee communities.
- Fostering Innovation and local adaptation while maintaining brand consistency.
Panelists
Noah Burgess
Carl Comeaux
Andy Huang
Rebecca Kahn
Consumers are increasingly health-conscious, but their desire for flavorful, satisfying meals, including meat, hasn't disappeared. This session will explore the evolving landscape of protein consumption in fast casual, focusing on how operators can cater to both the demand for meat (like pork and beef) and the growing preference for healthier options.
We'll delve into innovative menu strategies, preparation techniques and sourcing practices that allow restaurants to offer the best of both worlds. Topics include:
- The Flexitarian Factor: Understanding the rise of flexitarianism and how it impacts menu development.
- Beyond the Burger: Showcasing creative and healthy preparations of beef and pork beyond traditional offerings, such as lean cuts, bowls, salads and globally inspired dishes.
- Transparency and Sourcing: Discussing the importance of transparent sourcing practices, highlighting sustainable and responsibly raised meats, and communicating these values to consumers.
- Portion Control & Balanced Meals: Exploring strategies for offering appropriate portion sizes and creating balanced meals that incorporate lean proteins, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats.
- Flavor Without the Fat: Demonstrating cooking techniques that minimize added fats and sodium while maximizing flavor, such as grilling, roasting, and sous vide.
- "Health Halo" Ingredients: Identifying and incorporating ingredients known for their health benefits, such as ancient grains, superfoods, and vibrant vegetables, to complement meat dishes.
- Menu Labeling and Education: Discussing the importance of clear and informative menu labeling, highlighting nutritional information and helping consumers make informed choices.
Panelists
Jessica Bograd
Roberto Espinosa
Join us for a second round of three 15-minute presentations, each featuring one vendor and one operator sharing the how, when and ROI behind recent rollouts.
Presenters
Brian Pearson
Ellis Winstanley
Join fellow industry colleagues for an exclusive dinner party at Bull and Bowl in the heart of Austin’s lively 6th Street. With plenty of activities to keep the party going, you can play various arcade games and shuffleboard, shoot some pool, sing karaoke in one of four private karaoke rooms, bowl on one of six duckpin bowling lanes, or if you’re brave enough, ride the bull!
This private dinner party is included with your Summit registration at no additional cost.
First buses depart at 6:45 pm for the quick 5-minute ride.
Tuesday // October 7, 2025
Join us for three 20-minute small-group discussions on challenges facing operators. Each attendee will participate in all three discussions.
Topics may include:
- Catering Tips
- Employee Training & Retention
- Keeping Your Kitchen Safe
- Loyalty
- Social Media Marketing
In this session, you will hear four short, thought-provoking talks that will leave you challenged and inspired.
- Culinary Horizons: Decoding Flavor Patterns for Tomorrow's Menu | Suzy Badaracco
- Developing Leaders Instead of Managers | Steve Felson
- The $490 Billion Accessibility Market: How Fast-Casual Brands Can Win by Prioritizing Guest Experience for All | Laura Sporrer
Presenters
Suzy Badaracco
Steve Felson
Laura Sporrer
Steve Weigel
Experts will discuss how restaurants leverage self-service technology to improve profitability, enhance efficiency and delight guests while maintaining a budget-friendly approach.
Attendees will:
- Learn how to start small and scale.
- Investigate cost-effective options, such as using basic POS systems with self-service features, free or low-cost online ordering platforms, existing tablets or mobile devices and partnering with third-party providers for tiered pricing or pay-per-use models.
- Explore how to optimize the menu for self-service.
- Learn how to train staff effectively.
- Learn how to leverage data to identify areas for improvement and cost optimization.
- Promote self-service options to encourage guest adoption.
Panelists
Sawsan Abublan
Filippo Fiori, PhD
Mark Lohmann
Effective marketing is crucial for fast casual restaurants to thrive, but large budgets aren't always feasible, especially for smaller businesses. This session will explore creative and cost-effective social media strategies to drive customer traffic and boost your bottom line.
We'll discuss:
- Leveraging user-generated content.
- Identifying and partnering with local businesses and influencers.
- Cross-promotion opportunities and joint marketing campaigns.
- Building a strong local network through social media engagement.
- Crafting compelling brand narratives that resonate with your target audience.
- Creating visually appealing and shareable content.
- Developing a consistent brand voice across all social media platforms.
- Maximizing social media presence and optimizing social media profiles for search and discoverability.
- Monitoring and responding to customer comments and messages.
- Using social media analytics to track progress and identify areas for improvement.
Panelists
Tom Carr
Seth Larsen
Jason Morgan
CJ Ramirez
This session will focus on how technology can be strategically employed to optimize franchise operations, streamline communication between franchisors and franchisees, enhance data management for performance insights, and support rapid and sustainable growth across a franchise system.
Panelist
Peter Wiley
The drive-thru experience is undergoing a significant transformation driven by technology and changing consumer expectations. This session will explore the evolving landscape of drive-thru dining and equip attendees with strategies to navigate these changes while maximizing profitability for off-premise orders.
We'll delve into:
- Emerging technologies, including digital ordering and mobile payments, implementing dynamic menu boards, voice-activated ordering, using AI-powered recommendations to personalize order suggestion.
- Customer experience trends.
- Innovative approaches to increase check size and drive customer loyalty, such as exclusive deals and promotions for digital and mobile orders, subscription models and loyalty programs tailored to off-premise customers.
- Minimizing wait times and ensuring order accuracy and providing a seamless pick-up experience.
- Analyzing order data to identify customer preferences.
- Tracking KPIs to measure the effectiveness of off-premise strategies.
- Utilizing customer feedback to refine operations and enhance the overall drive-thru experience.
Panelists
Allen Beck
Erin Levzow
John Lucas
Ashley Reed
Moderator
Shokouh Shafiei
Advisers
Paul Barron
Cassie Ghaffar
Sandy Nguyen
Zack Oates
Restaurant professionals will leave this session with the knowledge and tools to optimize financial performance across all restaurant locations.
We will explore:
- Site selection and feasibility analysis by evaluating demographics, competition and market potential.
- Developing accurate financial projections for new and existing locations and creating and managing budgets to control costs and maximize profitability.
- Cost control and profit optimization by identifying and mitigating cost drivers specific to each location.
- Location-based marketing and promotions.
Panelists
Sam Ballas, CFE, CCIM
Jason Sobocinski
Susan Taylor
This session will equip restaurant owners with the tools and strategies to navigate the challenging landscape of inflation and rising costs.
We'll delve into:
- Identifying key cost drivers.
- Cost-cutting strategies.
- Menu engineering and pricing strategies.
- Supply chain optimization.
- Leveraging technology.
- Negotiating with suppliers.
- Communicating price increases to customers.
Panelists
Yasmin Curtis
Troy Hooper
Andrew Pudalov
Doug Willmarth
The restaurant supply chain is experiencing rapid evolution, driven by a heightened focus on resilience and geopolitical and economic volatility. This session explores how to prepare for those changes.
We’ll discuss:
- Diversification strategies, exploring alternative sourcing options, and building closer relationships with domestic suppliers to mitigate risks and ensure continuity of operations.
- Improving inventory optimization with AI-powered tools to forecast demand, optimize stock levels and minimize waste, reducing reliance on just-in-time delivery models.
- Robotics and automation: The use of robotics and automation in warehouses and distribution centers is accelerating, improving efficiency, reducing labor costs and enhancing safety.
- Data-driven decision making.
- Sustainability and ethical sourcing
- Enhancing traceability.
- Hyperlocal and on-demand services.
Panelist
Armando Flores
This session explores how to build a strong online presence, enhance customer loyalty through personalized experiences, and drive sales with data-driven promotions. Discover how to seamlessly integrate digital and in-store experiences, leveraging tools like QR codes and mobile payments. Gain actionable insights to elevate your brand and capture the modern fast casual consumer.
You'll learn:
- Strategies for enhancing local SEO and online directory management to boost visibility.
- Techniques for leveraging customer data to create personalized loyalty programs and targeted promotions.
- Methods for optimizing online ordering and delivery systems, including third-party integrations and in-house solutions.
Panelists
Mike Burns
Joey Cioffi
Kayla Dillon
Clay Dover
Grab an adult beverage or a soda and join several fast casual CEOs discussing the important issues restaurant operators face today and what it will take to succeed in 2026 and beyond.
Panelists
Jessica DePetro
Claudia Lezcano
Michele Maerz
Sherif Mityas
Kelly Roddy
Become A Speaker
If you're an experienced restaurant executive who is open to sharing insights with peers from other brands, we'd love to have you join us as a speaker or panelist.