OPENING KEYNOTE SESSION / MONDAY / 16 JULY 2018 / 5:00 PM
The Winding Road to Success as an Entrepreneur, Franchisor and Innovator
Being successful today is about persistence, tenacity and being able to pivot your direction each step of the way, values that FAT Brands CEO Andy Wiederhorn has learned over the years and will share during this hour-long keynote address. Under his leadership, the company’s burger chain, Fatburger, has expanded across the world, with 150 locations open to date and more than 300 under development in 29 countries. Andy has also overseen the purchases of several other restaurant brands and taken his company public. Each of these milestones has reminded him that his franchisees are his top customers, not the consumer.
“You better make sure that they are profitable and growing, if not, we all know what happens,” said Wiederhorn, who will touch on mastering the franchisee/franchisor relationship during his keynote. He will also share his ups, downs and how he was able to turn a once failing brand into a thriving franchising company.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Andy Wiederhorn | CEO | FAT Brands
Andy Wiederhorn has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of leading global franchising company FAT Brands Inc. since its formation. Andy has served as the Chairman of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer of Fatburger North America, Inc. since 2006 and the Chairman of the Board and CEO of Buffalo’s Franchise Concepts, Ponderosa Steakhouse, Bonanza Steakhouse and Bonanza Steak & BBQ since their respective acquisitions. He also served as the Chairman of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer of Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. since its formation in 1997.
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