RESTAURANT FRANCHISING & INNOVATION SUMMIT
Powering franchise growth through technology and leadership
Thanks for joining us in Kansas City! We hope you had a great time!
Catch up on the latest news about the event.
ABOUT THE SUMMIT
Many of the fastest growing and most successful chains in the restaurant industry are embracing innovation throughout their operations. These forward-thinking brands are constantly looking for the next innovation — new technologies, new menu items, new marketing tactics, new training programs, etc. — that will propel them to even greater heights.
At the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit, executives from leading brands will share their success stories of the numerous ways they have innovated to grow their franchises. Attendees will gain insight and inspiration to help them be more progressive in every facet of their businesses.
FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF
FEATURED SPEAKERS
KEYNOTE
![](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/bfi_thumb/dustin-portillo-ql3q6rtwjz9bbh26jc1paha4ym32aw4gy7wnsiu4ps.jpg)
Dustin Portillo
Speaker / Author
![](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/bfi_thumb/darden-coors-qj67extlcvdn6k3ga6owruxj8sp2m813dg4yd2rasg.jpg)
Darden Coors
CEO
![mad-greens-150x150 mad-greens-150x150](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/mad-greens-150x150-1-100x100.png)
![](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/bfi_thumb/tom-gordon-qbs5v51wr9ed6xf6817sev9vmvl5nshk8hmaowzujk.jpg)
Tom Gordon
Co-Founder & CEO
![slim-chickens-150x150 slim-chickens-150x150](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/slim-chickens-150x150-100x100.jpg)
![](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/bfi_thumb/natalie-green-qg39u8n7eav8vk5iidhi8e12mibdoy9ccgcuz61ie8.jpg)
Natalie Green
COO
![nekter-juice-150x150 nekter-juice-150x150](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/nekter-juice-150x150-1-100x100.png)
![](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/bfi_thumb/beto-guajardo-qbs5yqrmyebxp46r6laayyjhm1tt60siqbnax3niow.jpg)
Beto Guajardo
CEO
![blaze_pizza-150x150 blaze_pizza-150x150](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/blaze_pizza-150x150-1-100x100.png)
![](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/bfi_thumb/josh-halpern-pb7vs71duaciditfwtv71iwyp6co9hxawnb66ed5y8.jpg)
Josh Halpern
CEO
![big-chicken-150x150 big-chicken-150x150](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/big-chicken-150x150-100x100.jpg)
![](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/bfi_thumb/christine-johnson-qg2u32szn2grhvzkc7rgqieeypsb7onxp9foemz8tc.jpg)
Christine Johnson
COO
![le-duff-150x150 le-duff-150x150](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/le-duff-150x150-1-100x100.png)
![](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/bfi_thumb/josh-kern-qf0v3j8zfxkmjki06r6x1dextd7vwb8zeqki1vfae8.jpg)
Josh Kern
CEO
![spb_hospitality-150x150 spb_hospitality-150x150](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/spb_hospitality-150x150-1-100x100.png)
![](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/bfi_thumb/neil-newcomb-qf0v8knu2ygysb6hrflwwlmwgqdq5w96foh7o9yb1c.jpg)
Neil Newcomb
CEO
![kellys-150x150 kellys-150x150](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/kellys-150x150-1-100x100.png)
![](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/bfi_thumb/tommi-tervanen-qgfhbsrtq3e0z8geptwg6dh779v545r39wg3tx9b34.jpg)
Tommi Tervanen
CEO
![the-european-pizza-company-150x150 the-european-pizza-company-150x150](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/the-european-pizza-company-150x150-1-100x100.png)
![](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/bfi_thumb/ryan-weaver-qf0u9hcqxmflce5io9jbtgfe2vcesoxxlzomodzfc0.jpg)
Ryan Weaver
CEO
![lees-chicken-150x150 lees-chicken-150x150](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/lees-chicken-150x150-1-100x100.png)
![](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/bfi_thumb/mehdi-zarhloul-ql3qpmhdmd2c5xoeghecaq0xut62ocyo7ix8aavvxc.jpg)
Mehdi Zarhloul
CEO
![crazy-pita-150x150 crazy-pita-150x150](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/crazy-pita-150x150-2-100x100.png)
KEYNOTE
![](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/bfi_thumb/jose-garces-q0t86to1062giu87tgxauhagz1n3l4shlxntt7sxuo.jpg)
Jose Garces
Founder & Chief Culinary Officer
![garces-150x150 garces-150x150](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/garces-150x150-2-100x100.png)
![](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/bfi_thumb/ramon-bourgeois-q2vlc9mpthiteam48nesbguqajhnhnk79znk4y0a5c.jpg)
Ramon Bourgeois
CEO (Acting)
![tony-romas-150x150 tony-romas-150x150](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/tony-romas-150x150-1-100x100.png)
![](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/bfi_thumb/laura-rea-dickey-q3i90dd62wrm1rm5hy1m81ecyxk6j60mst5k1hk3ts.jpg)
Laura Rea Dickey
CEO
![dickeys-barbecue-pit-150x150 dickeys-barbecue-pit-150x150](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/dickeys-barbecue-pit-150x150-1-100x100.png)
![](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/bfi_thumb/betsy-hamm-pws8ppq4i9m4ut2nbojlw65bxsak9het9si7owngww.jpg)
Betsy Hamm
CEO
![duck-donuts-150x150 duck-donuts-150x150](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/duck-donuts-150x150-1-100x100.png)
![](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/bfi_thumb/sean-kennedy-pegzoow4a1gan6ss4tqhjrj3v11d437oor865xrty8.jpg)
Sean Kennedy
President & CEO
![cowboy-chicken-logo-150x150 cowboy-chicken-logo-150x150](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/cowboy-chicken-logo-150x150-1-100x100.png)
![](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/bfi_thumb/yianni-kosmides-q3i9jm47zt3xqdnw4rhnrol2rwpp43et41yeqf0yg0.jpg)
Yianni Kosmides
CEO
![apola-150x150 apola-150x150](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/apola-150x150-1-100x100.png)
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Anyone on the corporate franchising side involved in driving product, service, equipment, and customer-experience innovation, new franchise development, franchise branding, and consistent technology adoption, use, and utilization among existing system franchisees. This also includes successful franchise owner/operators who serve in advisory capacities, as pilot testers, early adopters, and vocal champions of new system innovations and technologies. As well as operators of existing successful franchisees and start-up franchisors.
Attendance will include executives with responsibility for:
- Franchise development
- Franchise operations
- Information Technology
- M-commerce / E-commerce
- Marketing / Branding
- Operations
- Payments
- Purchasing
- Strategy
![rfis_badge_400w](https://franchisinginnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/rfis_badge_400w.png)
PAST ATTENDEES
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SPONSORS & PARTNERS
TESTIMONIALS
What a great informative conference learning from the best franchised restaurant industry thought leaders at Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit.
Andrew Sternburg, Gong Cha
The buzz is just so positive. I love coming to shows like this because the energy is just so high. I think everyone enjoys spending time together. And what’s better than talking about franchising and innovation?
Betsy Hamm, Duck Donuts
Always great to share and learn from peers at Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit! Best networking and so glad to catch up with so many longtime friends and meet fabulous new ones!
Donna Spangler-Josephson, Shipley Do-Nuts
Thanks to the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit for another amazing event. It was great re-connecting with friends and colleagues, and most importantly making new connections!
Marcelo Butron Arnez, District Taco
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