The Brand is the Bistro: How Celebrity and Service Create a Winning Recipe


Reality TV star and entrepreneur Karlie Redd shares her playbook for building a standout restaurant brand. Learn how to leverage a strong personal brand to create a buzz, while focusing on the core principles of quality food and impeccable service to build lasting customer loyalty. This session will explore the unique challenges and opportunities of a celebrity-backed restaurant, from creating a distinct vibe to managing public expectations, and why the customer experience is the real star of the show.

Keynote Speaker
Karlie Redd
Co-Owner
Johnny's Chicken & Waffles
Karlie Redd is an actress, TV personality, recording artist, and serial entrepreneur best known for her long-standing role on MTV’s Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta. Beyond reality TV, Karlie has appeared in hit shows like Saints & Sinners and Top Five while building a diverse business empire spanning restaurants, fashion, fitness, and beauty. A proud Caribbean-American, Karlie is co-owner of Johnny’s Chicken & Waffles and the new Red Room Bistro in Atlanta. Her hit single, "Werk," featuring Spice and Capella Grey, landed her a #1 spot on iTunes Reggae chart. She is also a passionate humanitarian, founding organizations to support women, children, and underserved communities. Karlie embodies the true definition of a multihyphenate as she continues to evolve as a multifaceted entertainer and advocate, using her platform to inspire resilience, reinvention, and empowerment.