March 11-13, 2025 | Myrtle Beach, SC — Price increases by $150 after December 13. Register Now

AGENDA

TUESDAY // MARCH 11, 2025


| Registration

Registration Opens

All attendees, sponsors and speakers must check in at the registration desk and pick up a name badge. Please wear your badge at all times during the Summit.

| Exhibits

Tech and Suppliers Pavilion

Spend some time in our tech and suppliers pavilion, where you'll learn about products and services dedicated to improving your company's operations.


| Welcome & Opening Remarks
Host:
  • Cherryh Cansler | Vice President of Events | Networld Media Group


| Opening Keynote

McDonald's: Arching Towards the Future

Discover how McDonald's is redefining the fast-food landscape through strategic expansion and technological innovation. Join Chief Development Officer Tabassum Zalotrawala for an exclusive look at the future of the Golden Arches. Learn about the strategies driving restaurant design, operations and the customer experience, as well as a glimpse into the company's winning formula: Proximity = Frequency = Profitability.

Keynote Speaker:
  • Tabassum Zalotrawala | SVP, Chief Development Officer | McDonald's

Keynote Speaker
Tabassum Zalotrawala
SVP, Chief Development Officer
McDonald's


| Keynote Session

Keynote Session


| Networking

Give-Back Party


| Networking

Opening Reception

We’ll celebrate the opening of the Summit with cocktails, appetizers and live music.



WEDNESDAY // MARCH 12, 2025


| Registration

Registration & Breakfast

Breakfast is open to all Summit participants. Be sure to check in at the registration desk and pick up your name badge if you haven’t already.

| Breakfast Briefing

Breakfast Briefing


| General Session

Executive Perspectives: Inspiration for Today’s Restaurant Leaders

In this session, you will hear four short, thought-provoking talks that will leave you invigorated and inspired.

Presenters:
  • Mina Haque | CEO | Tony Roma’s
  • James O'Reilly | CEO | Ascent Hospitality


| Refreshment Break

| Breakout Session

Leveraging Data to Cultivate Lifetime Customer Loyalty and Brand Advocacy

Retaining customers is even more crucial than acquiring new ones, which is why this session will explore how data-driven strategies can transform casual diners into loyal patrons and brand advocates.

By analyzing customer preferences, purchasing patterns and feedback, operators may create personalized dining experiences that resonate with individual tastes. Learn how to:

  • Identify and nurture high-value customers: Discover the characteristics of your most loyal patrons and tailor your offerings to meet their needs.
  • Leverage customer data to optimize marketing efforts: Create targeted promotions and personalized recommendations that drive repeat business.
  • Enhance customer satisfaction through data-driven insights: Understand customer preferences and pain points to deliver exceptional service.
Panelists:
  • Jon Canter | Vice President of Franchising | ClusterTruck
  • Christopher Caudill | Senior Vice President, Marketing & Innovation | Long John Silver's
  • Shelby Kier | Director of Digital Marketing | BRIX Holdings
  • Devin Schneider | Director of Brand Development | Jeremiah’s Italian Ice

| Breakout Session

Tech-Enabled Talent Acquisition and Retention in Restaurant Franchising

In the highly competitive landscape of restaurant franchising, securing and retaining exceptional talent is no longer a luxury but a necessity. This session will delve into cutting-edge strategies and technologies designed to streamline the recruitment process and foster a culture of employee development.

Attendees will learn about:

  • Applicant tracking systems to streamline the hiring process.
  • Employing social media and online job boards to reach a wider pool of candidates.
  • AI-powered tools for candidate screening and matching.
  • Implementing onboarding programs to ensure new hires are successful.
  • Providing ongoing training and development opportunities to enhance employee skills.
  • Utilizing performance management tools to track employee progress and provide feedback.
  • Analyzing employee engagement metrics to identify areas for improvement.
  • Utilizing predictive analytics to forecast future talent needs.
  • Implementing retention strategies.

| Refreshment Break

| Breakout Session

Bringing Your AI-Game to the Table

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping all industries, and the restaurant sector has emerged as a leader over the past few years. From streamlining operations to enhancing customer experiences, AI offers potential for innovation and growth. This session will explore the latest advancements in AI technology within the restaurant industry, including:

  • AI-driven personalization.
  • Intelligent ordering systems.
  • Predictive analytics for demand forecasting.
  • AI-powered kitchen automation.
  • Ethical considerations and challenges: Discuss the ethical implications of AI in the restaurant industry and address potential challenges such as job displacement and data privacy.
Panelist:
  • Pedro "Pete" Mora | Founder | Fajita Pete’s

| Breakout Session

Navigating Global Expansion: Understanding International Laws and Regulations

As the restaurant industry becomes increasingly globalized, expanding operations into international markets presents both exciting opportunities and complex challenges. One of the most critical factors to consider is understanding and complying with the diverse legal and regulatory frameworks that govern the restaurant industry worldwide.

This session will provide valuable insights into the key international laws and regulations that restaurant franchisors need to be aware of when expanding their operations, such as:

  • Intellectual property protection.
  • Food safety and sanitation regulations.
  • Taxation and compliance.
  • Global franchising laws and regulations.
  • Cultural consideration.
Panelist:
  • Kevin Moran | Chief Development Officer | Blaze Pizza


| Lunch & Learn

Lunch & Learn


| Breakout Session

Diversifying Your Restaurant's Revenue Streams

While food is the core of any restaurant business, exploring additional revenue streams can provide significant opportunities for growth and profitability. This session will delve into strategies for diversifying your restaurant's income, including:

  • Merchandise and retail.
  • Catering and event services.
  • Meal kits and delivery services
  • Partnerships and collaborations.
Panelists:
  • Bradley Saxe | Co-CEO | Goldbergs Group
  • Yasaman Stewart | Director of Marketing | Friendly's
  • Jeff Todd | Chief Development Officer | Launch Entertainment

| Breakout Session

Maximizing Catering Revenue and Expanding Your Reach

Catering can be a lucrative and rewarding extension of your restaurant business, offering opportunities to reach new customers, showcase your culinary expertise and increase revenue.

This session will cover effective strategies for maximizing your catering business and expanding your reach, focusing on:

  • Catering management software.
  • Online ordering platforms.
  • Payment processing and invoicing.
  • Mobile catering apps.
  • Customer relationship management software.
  • Social media marketing for catering.
Panelist:
  • Robby Berg | Regional Director of Operations | Genghis Grill’s Franchise Group


| Refreshment Break

| Breakout Session

Feedback Revolution: Leveraging Modern Tools for Customer Insights

By understanding customers' needs, preferences and satisfaction levels, restaurants can make data-driven decisions to improve your restaurant's operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive business growth. This session will explore the latest trends and technologies in customer feedback collection and analysis, including:

  • AI-powered sentiment analysis.
  • Text mining and natural language processing: Extracting valuable insights from unstructured data, such as social media comments and open-ended survey responses.
  • Customer journey mapping.
  • Real-time feedback collection.
  • Integrating feedback with other data sources.
Panelist:
  • Bob Andersen | President | The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill

| Breakout Session

How to Build Your Tech Roadmap from Start to Deployment

Implementing a new technology is becoming part of a restaurant's standard practice, but a lot can go wrong if you begin before you know where you are going. In this session, attendees will learn:

  • How to Build Your Roadmap: Practical steps for mapping out a clear path to tech implementation.
  • Who Should Be Involved: Identifying the right stakeholders and teams to shape your roadmap.
  • Implementing & Communicating the Plan: Best practices for a seamless rollout and effective communication with partners.
  • Vendor Selection: Establishing non-negotiables and knowing when it’s time to reassess or change vendors.
  • Build vs. Buy: When to develop technology in-house and when to look externally.
  • Decision Ownership: Understanding who owns key decisions and how long decision-making should take.
  • Measuring Success: Knowing when it’s time to reevaluate your strategy to ensure alignment and growth.
Panelist:
  • Amanda Kahalehoe | Chief Operating Officer | Vicious Biscuit

Presented by CRISP

| Refreshment Break

| General Session

Prove Your Case!

Operators hear pitches all the time about products and services that will grow their business, but where’s the proof? We’ve got it right here.

This session includes three 15-minute presentations, each featuring one vendor and one operator sharing the how, when and ROI behind recent rollouts.


| Offsite Event

Dinner Party

Join us for an evening of cocktails and dinner.

Free to all attendees, speakers and sponsors.



THURSDAY // MARCH 13, 2025


| Breakfast

| Breakfast Briefing

Breakfast Briefing


| General Session

Brain Exchange

Join us for small group discussions about four of the most pressing issues facing restaurant operators today. These informal group discussions allow attendees to learn from one another’s mistakes and successes.


| Refreshment Break

| General Session

Discovery 30:

This 30-minute speed round will feature several 5-minute pitches about products and services designed to improve operations and the customer experience. 


| Refreshment Break

| Breakout Session

Fueling Growth: Strategies for Securing Capital and Expanding Your Business

As your restaurant business thrives, you may find yourself seeking additional capital to expand your operations, open locations or invest in innovative initiatives. This session will explore effective strategies for securing financing and fueling your business's growth.

Experts will chat about: 

  • Obtaining loans, lines of credit, grants and equity investments. 
  • Developing a compelling business showcasing growth strategy, financial projections and investment needs.
  • Building relationships with lenders and negotiate more favorable terms. 
  • Alternative financing options. 
Panelists:
  • Jake Philpotts | VP of Business Development & Franchise Relations | Surcheros
  • Ryan Weaver | CEO | Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken

| Breakout Session

Building Sustainable and Ethical Franchises That Actually Make Money

Creating sustainable and ethical franchises is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic business decision as it attracts socially responsible customers, enhances your brand reputation and drives long-term profitability.

This session will explore key strategies for creating a sustainable and ethical franchise, including:

  • Defining sustainability goals.
  • Implementing sustainable practices.
  • Communicating sustainability efforts.
  • Measuring and tracking progress.
Panelist:
  • Ryan Black | Co-Founder & CEO | Sambazon Açaí Bowls


| Refreshment Break

| Breakout Session

2025 Menu Trends: Can You Really Please Everybody?

Customers can be picky about menu changes from their favorite brands, but they also want to try the latest flavors and offerings seen on TikTok and other social media platforms.

This session discusses menu trends, including:

  • Hyperlocal and seasonal menus.
  • Plant-based and flexitarian options.
  • Popular global flavors.
  • How to embrace health-consciousness.
  • Wellness-focused dining without sacrificing taste or convenience. 
  • Using menu changes to provide more personalized and experiential dining elements.
Panelists:
  • Joel Bulger | Chief Marketing Officer | WOWorks
  • Daniel Camp | Director of Culinary | Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
  • Shawn Lalehzarian | Co-Founder & CEO | The Red Chickz
  • Evonne Varady | Co-Founder | Clean Eatz

| Breakout Session

Food Truck Frenzy: Is It the Right Fit for Your Concept?

The food truck industry has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, offering entrepreneurs a unique and mobile platform to bring their culinary creations to the masses. However, not all restaurant concepts are suitable for a food truck model.

This session will explore the key factors to consider when determining if a food truck is the right fit for your restaurant concept, such as:

  • Menu suitability.
  • Food safety.
  • Location and mobility.
  • Investment requirements.
  • Regulatory compliance.
  • Operational challenges.
  • Customer engagement.
Panelists:
  • Bill DiPaola | President | The Lime Truck
  • Diana Krankl | Senior Franchise Sales Manager | Wetzel’s Pretzels


| Lunch & Learn

Lunch & Learn


| Breakout Session

Breakout Session

| Breakout Session

Breakout Session


| Refreshment Break

| General Session

Franchising Think Tank

This panel, packed with CEOs and franchisors, will talk about the latest issues of the day and what it takes to succeed in franchising. This session will definitely be worth staying until the end of the Summit.

Panelist:
  • Denise Tran | Founder & CEO | Bun Mee Vietnamese Sandwich Eatery


| Summit adjourns


View 2024 Agenda