March 11-13, 2025 | Myrtle Beach, SC — Registration is open until March 7. Register Now
Breakout Session / Wednesday / March 12, 2025 / 2:45 PM
Building Authentic Connections with Your Restaurant Team
At its core, the restaurant industry is about people, which is why this session takes a step back from the buzzwords and focuses on the human element of building a thriving team.
We'll explore:
- The Power of Authentic Leadership: Discover how genuine leadership, empathy, and strong communication can create a culture of trust and respect. Learn how to connect with your employees on a personal level and inspire them to be their best.
- Fostering a Sense of Belonging: We'll discuss the importance of creating an inclusive and welcoming environment where every employee feels valued and respected, regardless of their background or position.
- Mentorship & Growth: Explore the impact of mentorship programs and creating opportunities for employees to learn and grow within your restaurant. We'll discuss how to identify and nurture talent, and provide pathways for career advancement.
- Celebrating Individuality: Learn how to recognize and appreciate the unique strengths and contributions of each employee. We'll discuss how to create a culture that celebrates diversity and encourages individual expression.
- Building a Community: Discover how to foster a sense of camaraderie and teamwork among your staff. We'll explore strategies for team-building activities, open communication, and creating a supportive work environment.
PANELISTS
MODERATOR
Wesley Epstein | Director of Training | Eggs Up Grill
As the Director of Training for Eggs Up Grill, Wesley Epstein leads the development and execution of comprehensive training programs across multiple locations and departments. He is responsible for assessing training needs, designing curriculum, and implementing training initiatives that enhance employee performance and operational efficiency. In his role as a Digital Training & Development Specialist, Wes leverages technology to create and deliver engaging digital training content. He designs e-learning modules, webinars, and interactive training sessions that cater to diverse learning styles. Finally, as a Franchise Business Consultant for Eggs Up Grill, he plays a pivotal role in supporting franchisees to achieve business success providing strategic guidance on operations, marketing, and financial management, helping franchisees optimize their performance.
Troy Hooper | CEO | Hot Palette Holdings
Troy Hooper joined Pepper Lunch as one of the three global business unit CEO’s for the brand, and oversees Pepper Lunch’s parent company in North America, Hot Palette America. Troy brings 30 years of unparalleled experience in hospitality, operations management and executive leadership to this role, which has fueled Pepper Lunch’s infrastructure development, growth efforts, and brand deliverables, creating a fruitful franchise model for the North American market. Throughout his career, Troy has successfully built new concepts, rebranded existing restaurants, and improved well-established venues for iconic brands. Troy’s decades of experience and business acumen brings a breadth of knowledge to the rapidly growing global brand, Pepper Lunch.
Stacey Kane | Fractional CMO | Multiple Brands
Stacey Kane has more than 25 years of experience working with multi-unit restaurant chains as a Head of Marketing and Marketing Consultant. She has worked with such brands as California Tortilla, Think Food Group, Subway and East Coast Wings. Known for her incredible creativity and obsession with data she was one of the pioneers of using social media in the restaurant space and has been named a Top 20 Movers and Shakers by Fast Casual Magazine five times. Her passion is leading emerging brands as they scale for growth. Currently, Stacey is a fractional CMO for several fast casual brands including Fresh Baguette, Garden Catering, HCK Hot Chicken, Mahana Fresh and Mamoun's Falafel. Kane is passionate about the industry. She has been a National Pro-Start Judge for 3 years and after serving as a consultant, she was asked to sit on the board of CORE:Children of Restaurant Employees in 2022. CORE’s mission is to provide short-term financial relief to food and beverage service employees with children when navigating a qualifying circumstance.
Jeff Perera | Co-Founder | Jeff’s Bagel Run
Jeff Perera is the Co-Founder and Vice President of Jeff’s Bagel Run, a rapidly growing brand redefining the bagel experience. With over two decades of leadership in retail management, Jeff has honed his expertise in operations, team leadership, and customer experience. In 2019, following an unexpected layoff, he embraced his role as a stay-at-home dad and, alongside his wife, Danielle, pursued a passion for crafting the perfect bagel. What started as a small delivery operation during the pandemic quickly gained a devoted following, leading to the opening of the first brick-and-mortar location in Ocoee, Florida, in June 2021. Under Jeff’s leadership, the brand has continued to expand, bringing its handcrafted, hot-and-fresh bagels to new communities. Today, Jeff's Bagel Run has 12 locations in four states and an additional 69 shops under development.
Kat Claypool | Director of Sales | Wisetail
Wisetail Director of Sales, Kat Claypool, is an experienced Sales Leader in the technology sector. With a background in delivering tailored SaaS solutions, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MBA from the University of Charleston. Kat is known for her exceptional leadership qualities, including integrity, honesty, and passion for her work. She excels at building teams founded on trust and authenticity. She specializes in helping organizations transition into close-knit communities, using her tech and leadership expertise to inspire stronger, connected teams. Outside of work, Kat enjoys spending time with her family.
