Dave Baer started as a driver for Domino’s Pizza while in college 1991. He managed a Domino’s Pizza restaurant in 1994 and was immediately named Rookie manager of the year. From 1994-1998 he quickly ascended the ranks at Dominos where he held positions of Supervisor, Senior Supervisor and Training Director of Corporate operations at Domino’s Pizza in the Northeast. From 1998-2012, he was the VP of Operations for a 17 unit Franchise Domino franchise. Since 2012, he has been creating and scaling multiple emerging brands including Zinga and Firenza Pizza. Most recently he has been honing HCK Hot Chicken as well as acting as the Chief Operating Officer for Mahana Fresh.

Laura Rea Dickey serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. With over 20 years of experience in the marketing and information technology fields, Laura Rea continually inspires innovation in the Dickey’s brand while keeping spirits high with her witty sense of humor. In her time as CEO, Dickey has continued the brand's expansion and overseen the development of the first international locations with restaurants in the UAE, specifically Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Dickey also helped pioneer the third-party delivery program for the brand, contributing to positive same store sales in all digital channels. Under Dickey’s leadership, the brand also launched its first major menu addition in four years debuting six new signature sauces and adding pit-smoked chicken wings to the core menu. As CIO, Dickey implemented a new technology infrastructure for the brand bringing parity and integration to data reporting and information security.

Justin Livingston brings nearly two decades of experience starting and growing franchise brands worldwide. A Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) and accomplished franchise leader, Justin specializes in domestic and international expansion to grow franchises to their maximum potential. A trustworthy speaker and author of many franchise articles, Justin is proud to be a source of information, inspiration, and innovation for those at varying stages of the franchise journey. Through his Franchise Consulting Company, Franchise Transformations, Justin was the first to ever franchise Cannabis Dispensary franchise Unity Rd. He currently runs franchise development for powerhouse brands like the world-famous Coyote Ugly Saloon where is is also a franchisee with a location in Piccadilly, London, United Kingdom, Ziggi’s Coffee, where he is also a franchisee with three units in Colorado, and niche-leading emerging brands like The Local Drive, a brand with a unique high-end bar combined with start-of-the-art technology golf simulator bays, The Lime Truck, an award-winning, Food Network Champion food truck concept, and Tapster, a disruptor emerging franchise and innovator in the you-pour bar space.

Janet Monroe's leadership at ClusterTruck is underscored by a strategic approach that combines legal acumen with business savvy, honing the company's competitive edge. As CEO, Monroe has steered the company's strategic direction towards innovation in the food delivery industry. Her tenure is marked by a commitment to driving efficiency, fostering strategic growth, boosting community presence, and tackling new challenges head-on. Under Monroe's guidance, ClusterTruck has taken its first steps into franchising. A reflection of her calculated and thoughtful leadership style, this endeavor is aimed at amplifying ClusterTruck’s innovative model across new markets while maintaining the company's core values of efficiency and superior service. Monroe's dedication to scaling the business thoughtfully ensures that each new franchise upholds the high standards that have become synonymous with the ClusterTruck brand, reinforcing its role in shaping the future of food delivery.

Rory Odell is the SVP of Operations at Ike's Love and Sandwiches, the iconic toasted sandwich shop founded by Ike Shehadeh in San Francisco. With over 100 units, Ike's serves up a menu of over 800 unique premium sandwiches that highlight Ike's signature Dirty Sauce and San Francisco Dutch Crunch bread. Before Ike's, Rory served in multiple roles at the fast-casual concept, Burger Lounge, a healthy grass-fed forward burger joint. More recently, Rory spent three years at Fox Restaurant Concepts, supporting regional operations across the United States at the Flower Child Brand, which serves up farm-fresh, fast casual food every day.

Luis Lara is the Senior Vice President of Business Development for Consolidated Concepts, a Buyers Edge Platform company. Luis started working in restaurants when he was 16 years old. After graduating college, Luis worked with restaurants as a financial analyst for BMO Bank in Chicago and has also helped build customer databases and loyalty programs for restaurants. Today, Luis leads all new business development efforts and initiatives for Consolidated Concepts. His team works closely with emerging, regional and national restaurants, virtual and ghost kitchen operators, channel sales partners and supply chain consultants, private equity and venture capital firms. Luis enjoys working with clients and finding the right solution for their specific needs. Luis is also an Investor in EMERGING Fund, the leading growth equity fund for restaurant-entertainment concepts and restaurant technology.