Taking Your Brand to the Streets

BREAKOUT SESSION / TUESDAY / APRIL 10, 2018 / 11:00 AM

Food trucks, which were once seen only as an economical way to provide foodservice to worksites, are now finding popularity with a variety of brick-and-mortar restaurant chains – big and small. While some brands are using these restaurants on wheels as a way to market their standard concepts, others are solely operating mobile businesses.

This session will not only uncover how brands can use food trucks and stalls as marketing vehicles, but will also focus on best practices when it comes to franchising a mobile concept.

PANELISTS

Gonca Esendemir | Co-Founder & CMO | Flatbread Grill

Gonca Esendemir is the co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of the fast casual Mediterranean concept, Flatbread Grill. Flatbread Grill was developed by Gonca and her two sisters in 2007 as a means to support their sick parents. Without any formal marketing training or experience, Gonca helped establish the brand’s identity and social media presence. She also, along with her two sisters, oversaw day to day restaurant operations, developed the menu, and assisted with building out the concept’s brick and mortar stores. She is currently overseeing the franchise development of Flatbread Grill. Gonca is also a published writer and social media influencer.

Rich Mainzer | Chef/Owner | The Boneyard Truck

For Rich Mainzer, a native born San Franciscan, none would have predicted that he would become the pit-master at one of the Bay Area’s busiest and most tasty Barbecues. Rich is the Founder and Chef at The Boneyard, LLC – an up and coming catering and food truck service that has transformed the way local residents experience their BBQ. While he has reinvented himself several times along the way, Rich’s love of good food and people has led him to take his passions to the streets of five bay area counties…and counting. Rich’s big flavors and big personality mix the perfect recipe for his own home run in the world of American BBQ street food services.

Shemar Pucel | Director of Franchise Marketing & Development | sweetFrog

Shemar Pucel is the Director of Franchise Development for sweetFrog Premium Frozen Yogurt, the US’s tastiest and “hoppiest” sefl-serve frozen yogurt franchise. Shemar is responsible for the growth strategy and development for traditional, nontraditional, mobile and conversion franchise opportunities. Prior to her current role, Shemar spent 6 years working in a variety of development roles with another Richmond based franchise firm. There Shemar handled all of the marketing and lead generation tactics for the further development of the firm’s five home based franchise concepts. With sweetFrog, Shemar is responsible for recruiting and awarding territories to individual operators and sophisticated multi-unit, multi-brand franchisees.

MODERATOR

Cherryh Cansler | Director of Editorial | Networld Media Group

Before joining Networld Media Group as Director of Editorial, where she oversees NetWorld Media Group’s nine B2B publications, Cherryh Cansler served as Content Specialist at Barkley ad agency in Kansas City. Throughout her 17-year career as a journalist, she’s written about a variety of topics, ranging from the restaurant industry and technology to health and fitness news. Her byline has appeared in a plethora of newspapers, magazines and websites, including Forbes, The Kansas City Star and American Fitness magazine. She also serves as the managing editor for FastCasual.com.

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