AGENDA
SUNDAY // OCTOBER 3, 2021
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
Session Topic – Coming Soon!
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 4, 2021
7:00 am | Registration & Breakfast
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.
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:
Surviving Uncertain Times by Being Change Ready
• Jeff Fenster | Founder & CEO | Everbowl
Social Media – The Impact It Can Have on Your Business Positive/Negative
• Samantha Rincione | Founder, CEO & COO | CRAVE Franchising
The Power Of Or: Choosing And Doing What Matters Most
• Joe Thornton | Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer | HMSHost
What Starbucks and Chick-fil-A Are Doing So Differently
• Philipp Sitter | CEO | VIPinsiders
• Christopher Chomenko | VP of Sales | VIPinsiders
- Sponsored by VIPinsiders
9:00 am | Refreshment Break
9:30 am | Breakout Session
Tech Talk: The Future of Contactless and Online Ordering
Although the industry was embracing online ordering and contactless delivery, the onset of COVID-19 sped up adoption. What was once considered “nice to have” quickly turned into a “must have” for any restaurant hoping to do business during the pandemic.
Now that the pandemic is less of a worry, however, are these technology upgrades still necessary? If so, which platforms are best, and how does a restaurant with a small budget decide how and where to invest.
Attendees will not only learn the answers to these questions but also hear experts weigh in on what other customer experience technologies are coming soon.
9:30 am | Breakout Session
Is Your Supply Chain Broken?
The supply chain is one of the most important aspects of a successful operations model, but too often restaurants make mistakes, which end up losing them money. This session will reveal several ways that attendees may save those dollars, including tips on supply chain management, master distribution agreements, managed produce and contracts.
They’ll learn how to identify overcharges, maximize contract utilization, upgrade management reporting and maximize rebate dollars.
- Sponsored by Consolidated Concepts
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:
• Adam Chose | COO | Alder-Tek Manufacturing
• Landon Eckles | Co-Founder & CEO | Clean Juice
• Sandra Noonan | Chief Sustainability Officer | Just Salad
• Gregg Rozeboom | Founder & CEO | Fruitive
Moderator:
• Cherryh Cansler | VP of Editorial | Networld Media Group
- Sponsored by Alder-Tek Manufacturing
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
• Steve Schulze | Co-Founder & CEO | Nékter Juice Bar
• Bill Valentas | CFO | Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
Moderator:
• Brian Whitney | VP, Restaurants | Appetize
- Sponsored by Appetize
10:30 am | Refreshment Break
11:00 am | Breakout Session
Using AI to Build Customer-Specific Marketing Campaigns
Restaurants must not only be experts when it comes to food but also in delighting customers. And that’s not possible unless they know the types of offers their customers want and when, which is where data collection comes in handy.
Experts in this session will discuss how they use AI and machine learning to deliver personalized, one-to-one marketing campaigns that build loyalty. They’ll also share how they create new offers and promotions and test them.
11:00 am | Breakout Session
Enhancing Off-premise Operations to Build Customer Trust
Although consumers were starting to embrace delivery and carry-out options by the beginning of 2020, the pandemic accelerated the off-premise trend and forced operators to adjust their business models to win in this new normal.
They not only had to lean into technology to help them offer contactless experiences, but they also implemented strict hygiene and food safety protocols in hopes of gaining customer trust.
This session features restaurant leaders sharing those journeys. They’ll discuss what companies they partnered with and why, how much they invested and what they’d do differently.
- Sponsored by Tork
12:00 pm | Lunch & Learn
Session Topic – Coming Soon!
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 am | Breakout Session
Meatless: It’s What’s for Dinner
With more than 60% of Americans saying that since COVID-19 they have incorporated more plant-based foods into their diets, fast casual restaurants – regional and national – are glowing up their meatless options.
And while a meatless strategy makes sense for many brands, how do you know if it will work for your restaurant?
Chefs in this session will weigh on the right and wrong ways to incorporate meatless options to your menu.
12:45 am | Breakout Session
Session Topic – Coming Soon!
1:45 pm | Refreshment Break
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.
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:
• CATERING
• COVER YOUR ASSETS | Sponsored by: Saxe Doernberger & Vita, PC
• DELIVERY
• FOOD SAFETY: What Matters Most for a Safe Dining Experience for your Staff and Guests | Sponsored by: Sani Professional
• FRANCHISING
• INNOVATION/TECHNOLOGY | Sponsored by: Gimbal
• MARKETING | Sponsored by: Attentive
• MENU TRENDS
• MOBILE
• STAFFING
3:30 pm | Energy Break
4:00 pm | Breakout Session
How to Build a Solid Virtual Business
Ghost kitchens are one of the industry’s hottest trends, so this session explores how three established brands have incorporated ghost kitchens into their operations models.
They’ll not only talk about why they decided to embrace the trend so early but also reveal the partnerships they’ve made and the technology required to run a successful virtual business.
Lastly, they’ll share their outlook on the future of ghost kitchens and contactless delivery as well as a few other upcoming trends in operations.
Panelists:
• Otto Othman | CEO & Co-Founder | PINCHO
4:00 pm | Breakout Session
How to Cruise Through Drive-thru Remodels
Finding a drive-thru lane at a fast casual restaurant used to be rare, but they are becoming more commonplace as customers demand contactless pick-up points. This session will feature executives who have incorporated drive-thrus into their business models.
They’ll talk about how to ensure a good ROI as well as pitfalls to avoid.
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 5, 2021
7:30 am | Breakfast
9:40 am | Morning Briefing
What Starbucks and Chick-fil-A Are Doing So Differently
Learn how the biggest brands are cutting their marketing costs, increasing their revenue, and communicating directly with their raving fans through the power of their own mobile rewards strategy.
Presenter:
• Philipp Sitter | CEO | VIPinsiders
- Sponsored by VIPinsiders
PRESENTER
Philipp Sitter
CEO
VIPinsiders
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!
Nominate your brand today!
Deadline: June 30, 2021
- 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
9:45 am | Refreshment Break
10:05 am | Breakout Session
Not Only Surviving, But Thriving Through the Pandemic
While many restaurants across the world closed or struggled to stay in business over the past year, a few posted higher-than-ever sales.
This session will feature three of those brand leaders revealing their strategies for handling the crisis. They’ll talk about how they pivoted their operational models, redistributed labor and added new menu offerings as well as how they created new revenue streams to pad the bottom line.
10:05 am | Breakout Session
Session Topic – Coming Soon!
11:05 am | Refreshment Break
11:25 am | Breakout Session
Session Topic – Coming Soon!
11:25 am | Breakout Session
Session Topic – Coming Soon!
12:25 pm | Lunch & Learn
Session Topic – Coming Soon!
1:10 pm | Breakout Session
Session Topic – Coming Soon!
1:10 pm | Breakout Session
Session Topic – Coming Soon!
2:10 pm | Energy Break
2:30 pm | Breakout Session
Session Topic – Coming Soon!
2:30 pm | Breakout Session
Session Topic – Coming Soon!
3:30 pm | Refreshment Break
3:45 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 2022 and beyond.
- Sponsored by Dosh
5:00 pm | Summit concludes
