SUMMIT NEWS
17 DEC 2024
A panel at the Fast Casual Executive Summit discussed the ins and outs of catering and tech.
25 NOV 2024
Technology can help restaurants in many ways, but it plays an especially impactful role in operations. With the right tech stack, restaurants can reduce wait times, improve accuracy, inventory management and other features.
18 NOV 2024
A panel at the Fast Casual Executive Summit, held in Denver examined how restaurants can avoid legal landmines.
15 NOV 2024
Brand leaders discussed the utilization of tech in their restaurants at the Fast Casual Executive Summit in Denver.
How restaurants can use data to maximize financial management, performance
6 NOV 2024
A panel at the Fast Casual Executive Summit examined how restaurants can use coaching, technology and other tools to maximize coaching, location collaboration, compliance and more.
Saigon Hustle wins The Perfect Pitch contest at Fast Casual Executive Summit
15 OCT 2024
Saigon Hustle has won The Perfect Pitch, a “Shark Tank” style contest at the Fast Casual Executive Summit in Denver, Colorado.
Wonder exec opens Fast Casual Executive Summit with keynote about growth, evolution
14 OCT 2024
Jason Rusk gave the keynote address at the Fast Casual Executive Summit in Denver Aug. 13. Rusk spoke about the rapidly evolving world of fast-casuals, and how innovation is paving the way for great things in the industry.
Fast Casual Executive Summit session looks at menu trends as competitive edge
23 SEP 2024
A session at the Fast Casual Executive Summit session next month in Denver, Colorado, will explore diversifying menu options as a method to increase a restaurant’s competitive advantage.
Fast Casual Executive Summit session to delve into third-party delivery
16 SEP 2024
A panel of speakers will discuss third-party delivery at the Fast Casual Executive Summit next month in Denver, Colorado.
9 SEP 2024
Five fledgling concepts will vie for The Perfect Pitch title and a prize on Oct. 14 at the Fast Casual Executive Summit in Denver, Colorado.
From classroom to crust: Former teachers build Much Ado About Pizza in California
6 SEP 2024
Two former teachers take a Shakespearean approach to their carryout pizza shop in Pleasanton, California. Much Ado About Pizza was selected as a finalist for The Perfect Pitch at the Fast Casual Executive Summit in October, and they’re happy to be able share their story.
4 SEP 2024
Until the AI overlords take over, our economy is still driven by human people making human decisions. The catering opportunity not only wants but relies on a solid foundation of relationships to endure.
7 AUG 2024
Catering operations should never be a secondary function. Someone must own it.
5 AUG 2024
Jason Rusk, SVP of operations for Wonder and a former Red Robin executive, will discuss growth and leadership in the evolving world of fast casual restaurants.
1 AUG 2024
Attendees will visit three fast casuals, where they’ll taste food and chat with leadership.
Subway, Jason’s Deli, Big Chicken headlining The Restaurant Catering Workshop
17 JUL 2024
Before a brand can deploy a catering-order management system and supporting technologies, it must align its business framework, business logic, workflow and best practices, said Erle Dardick, catering expert and co-host of The Restaurant Catering Workshop, Oct. 15-16 in Denver.
The 1.5-day event, which starts as the annual Fast Casual Executive Summit, Oct. 13-15, at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel in Denver ends, features experts teaching restaurant operators how to create a proper catering solution.
Breaking bread and biases: Why restaurants (still) need more female voices
10 JUL 2024
The Fast Casual Executive Summit is hosting the panel “Breaking Bread and Biases: Empowering Women for Fast Casual Leadership,” featuring women leaders discussing the benefits of gender diversity and teaching attendees to unlock a wealth of talent, improve decision-making and gain a competitive edge by fostering female leadership.
27 JUN 2024
Lunchbox, a technology provider for restaurants, has created Cater, a dedicated community hub and council for catering executives across the restaurant industry. Nabeel Alamgir, CEO of Lunchbox and several restaurant catering experts at the Fast Casual Executive Summit, Oct. 13-15, at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel in Denver. Alamgir is moderating a panel, “Tapping Technology to Increase Catering Sales,” featuring executives from Subway, Chick N Max and Dickey’s Barbecue.
The food-at-work movement: Making catering a solid revenue stream
26 JUN 2024
It’s a mistake to build catering around the classical solutions of POS systems. Instead, operators must become light-food manufacturers.
21 JUN 2024
FastCasual editor Cherryh Cansler chats with catering guru, Erle Dardick, about the $124 billion catering industry and how technology is only part of a restaurant’s successful catering strategy.
20 MAY 2024
Nominations close June 30.
FastCasual producing restaurant catering workshop with Erle Dardick’s OPGA
2 MAY 2024
The Restaurant Catering Workshop will provide a blueprint for restaurant operators focused on catapulting catering sales.
Dave’s Hot Chicken, Biscuit Belly leaders share operations advice
5 JAN 2023
Top restaurant brand leaders at Dave’s Hot Chicken and Biscuit Belly provide insight on everything from growing a brand to smart hiring approaches during a session at the recent Fast Casual Executive Summit.
Assessing restaurant tech stack saves money, reduces management tasks
15 DEC 2023
Restaurant technology is great but sometimes a brand can amass a tech stack that’s proving to be expensive and hard to manage. Learn how minimization and embracing one-stop tech platforms can save money and time.
21 NOV 2023
Leaders from Five Guys, BurgerFi, Papa Johns and Primanti Bros. shared how their brands are embracing AI without breaking the bank in a Fast Casual Executive Summit panel sponsored by Upside.
Rethinking restaurant customer engagement, loyalty strategies
13 NOV 2023
A panel talk on loyalty programs at the recent Fast Casual Executive Summit featured Bob Andersen, president of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill; Jon Asher, CMO of Nekter Juice Bar; Josh Halpern, CEO at Big Chicken and Sara Kear, CMO at Condado Tacos.
WOWorks, Craveworthy Brands, Cousins Maine Lobster execs talk menu optimization, strategy
11 NOV 2023
Adam Terranova, senior director of growth for WOWorks, Jeremy Theisen, chief growth and development officer at Craveworthy Brands and Annie Tselikis, director for marketing and franchise sales for Cousins Main Lobster, discuss menu optimization to speed up service.
Capriotti’s, Wing Zone, Swamp Dawg, Goodcents execs talk growth with lean teams
30 OCT 2023
Restaurant labor shortages have become a pervasive issue, affecting both corporate and store-level operations. Three restaurant executives discussed labor issues and how tech can help at the Fast Casual Executive Summit in October.
Haven Hot Chicken wins The Perfect Pitch at the Fast Casual Executive Summit 2023
16 OCT 2023
Haven Hot Chicken won The Perfect Pitch concept competition at the Fast Casual Executive Summit in Louisville, Kentucky on Oct. 9.
10 OCT 2023
Shake Shack set big goals for diversity. At the Fast Casual Executive Summit, Idris Stover, director of diversity, equity inclusion and engagement, discussed how the restaurant made it work.
Scooter’s Coffee exec: ‘The whole point of innovation is growth’
9 OCT 2023
Nathan Lester, senior director, drive-thru innovations for Scooter’s Coffee, spoke about pairing innovation and growth during the keynote address kicking off the Fast Casual Executive Summit in Louisville, Kentucky on Oct. 8.
Smashburger, Woworks, Craveworthy leaders revealing menu optimization tips
5 OCT 2023
Optimizing menus across channels is one of the most important tools restaurants have when it comes to increasing customer satisfaction. Happy customers equal higher check spend and more frequent visits, which is why a group of fast casual experts is revealing how menu optimization can yield a high ROI when done correctly.
23 AUG 2023
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.
9 AUG 2023
Founders of Haven Hot Chicken, Mahana Fresh, Pizzawala, Pucci Brothers Fresh Italian and Sankranti Indian Kitchen will take the stage on Oct. 9 to pitch their concepts to FCES attendees.
14 JUL 2023
Each leader will attend the summit to accept an award and share leadership experience, strategies and a few lessons learned along the way.
Shake Shack, Scooter’s Coffee execs keynoting Fast Casual Executive Summit
28 JUN 2023
Idris Stover, Shake Shack’s director of diversity, equity, inclusion and culture, and Nathan Lester, senior director of drive-thru innovation at Scooter’s Coffee, are keynoting this year’s summit being held Oct. 8-10 in Louisville, Kentucky.
19 JUN 2023
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.
18 MAY 2023
As part of its commitment to spotlighting up-and-coming fast casual brands, FastCasual is hosting its ninth annual Perfect Pitch contest Oct. 8 and is accepting nominations until June 30.
Former Perfect Pitch contestant lands $2.5M investment to fuel growth
21 FEB 2023
Seattle-based Dué Cucina, a fast casual Italian brand that competed in the 2019 Perfect Pitch at the Fast Casual Executive Summit, has landed a $2.5 million investment from Mac Haik Restaurant Group.
Capriotti’s, Original ChopShop, Sweetfin leaders talk extending hospitality to digital customers
21 DEC 2022
Technology is playing a big role in providing a robust digital customer experience.
Chipotle, Fazoli’s, Smokey Bones share drive-thru, AI insight
14 DEC 2022
Top fast casual brand leaders offer valuable insight on how AI is driving a more robust digital drive-thru experience.
Video: Fast Casual Executive Summit Highlights, October 9–11, 2022
12 DEC 2022
The 17th annual Fast Casual Executive Summit was held October 9-11 at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis, Indiana. Check out the video highlights!
Chipotle, Jason’s Deli, Ampex Brands talk AI role in customer experience
7 DEC 2022
Artificial intelligence, from data gathering efforts to robot creation, is gaining ground with restaurant brands. Top leaders share insight on AI innovation and the role it plays in everything from better customer experiences to loyalty program enhancements.
Starbird, Fuku, Atomic Wings leaders talk love-hate relationship with delivery apps
1 DEC 2022
Brand leaders offer insight on managing third-party delivery apps and the brand app and hurdling challenges.
Mooyah Burgers, Jersey Mike’s leaders share loyalty program tips
18 NOV 2022
As food prices continue to climb so does the value of a restaurant loyalty program, for both the customer and the brand.
Restaurant execs discuss labor issues still plaguing industry
14 NOV 2022
Four restaurant executives discussed labor issues plaguing the industry at the Fast Casual Executive Summit in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Layne’s Chicken Fingers, Consolidated Concepts, Farm Burger execs talk supply chain issues
4 NOV 2022
Four restaurant executives discussed challenges with supply chains at the Fast Casual Executive Summit in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Flake Pie Co. wins The Perfect Pitch at the Fast Casual Executive Summit
26 OCT 2022
Zack Oates, founder of The Perfect Pitch sponsor Ovation, Flake Pie Co. founders Rick Timmons and Todd Smith, and Fastcasual.com editor Cherryh Cansler. Photo by Networld Media Group
10 OCT 2022
Daniel Shlossman, chief marketing officer for sweetgreen, said digital is the wave of the future in the opening keynote address at the Fast Casual Executive Summit being held Oct. 9-11.
Fast Casual Hall of Fame inductees include Fazoli’s, Panera Bread, Native Brand leaders
11 AUG 2022
Fazoli’s former CEO Carl Howard, Native Foods CEO Carin Stutz and Blaine Hurst, former Panera Bread CEO, make up the inaugural class of the Fast Casual Hall of Fame and will be honored at the annual Fast Casual Executive Summit.
28 JUL 2022
Execs from Chipotle, Jason’s Deli and Ampex Brands will share their journeys into the world of AI at this year’s Fast Casual Executive Summit, being held Oct. 9-11 in Indianapolis.
