PANELISTS

Scott Goodrich | COO | Stacked Pickle

As an industry leader, Scott Goodrich’s role as COO of Stacked Pickle comprises driving the business through operations, marketing, purchasing and a passion for people. Scott entered the restaurant industry after developing his leadership skills with United Airlines. Scott was recruited by the Murrell Family, founders of Five Guys Burgers and Fries, in March of 2005. During his career at Five Guys, Scott developed operational and training procedures, and was a key architect behind the massive growth of the Five Guys franchise system. With a calling for brand development, Scott made an impactful contribution in the growth of Uncle Maddio’s Pizza as COO.

Mike Smith | VP of Operations | Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe

Mike Smith serves as the Vice President of Operations for Taziki’s Mediterranean Café and is responsible for cultivating a strategy for planning, organizing, and training necessary to achieve operational objectives in cost minimization, employee retention, guest services, food quality, unit cleanliness, and sanitation. Mike currently leads the operations, training and technology teams with the focus around maintaining both a high tech and high touch guest experience in all Taziki’s now 85+ restaurant locations. Since joining Taziki’s in 2016, Mike has built strong franchise relations by creating a Franchise Advisory Council, which engages franchise leaders to help advise and foster the brand.

Christine Specht | President & CEO | Cousins Subs

Christine Specht grew up with Cousins Subs — the sub sandwich chain her dad, Bill Specht, founded with his cousin two years before she was born. Before taking on the role of Cousins’ human resources manager in 2001, Christine worked as a staff member of the Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau in Madison, Wisconsin. In 2008, she became the President and Chief Operating Officer of Cousins Subs and in 2015 assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer following her father’s retirement. Christine earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology and law studies from Marquette University.

MODERATOR

Scott Absher | Co-Founder & CEO | Shiftpixy

Scott Absher, Co-Founder and CEO of ShiftPixy, brings over 25 years of expertise in Human Capital Management strategy and support for small business. Scott has had significant exposure to the unique challenges and pressures restaurant and hospitality operators face and offers a unique insight as to the origins of and new approaches to meeting these new challenges. Scott will address the strategy that drives ShiftPixy’s leverage of leading edge technology to help its operator clients navigate today’s human capital realities.