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2019 Fast Casual Top 100 call for nominations now open

Nominations for the Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers will close Jan. 31.

Cherryh Cansler, editor of FastCasual, far left, celebrates Freshii's Top 100 win with the brand's VP of Supply Chain Amardeep Rai,VP of Marketing Melissa Gallagher, and Taylor Company's Dan Domberg.

January 2, 2019

FastCasual is taking nominations for its 2019 list of Top 100 Movers & Shakers, which honors the brands and executives leading the fast casual restaurant industry, said Cherryh Cansler, VP of Editorial, Networld Media Group, the parent company of FastCasual.

"Our annual list recognizes brands with major growth and sales accomplishments but also honors trendsetters and brands that incorporate technology to enhance the customer experience," Cansler said. "it's not a cut-and-dry list of who has grown the most or has made the most money. Those things are important, but we also look at leadership, innovation and how brands are helping their communities. 

How it works

Brands will nominate themselves by answering a few questions about their businesses in order to help judges narrow down the list. The second set of questions will ask people to nominate the executives they believe best represent the industry. People may nominate themselves or their colleagues, Cansler said.

"The more information the judges have, the better, so I recommend that brands answer the questions thoroughly," Cansler said.

Out of the nominations, judges will choose 75 brands and 25 industry executives to round out the Top 100.

As in past years, the results will be revealed at an annual awards gala in May in Chicago during the NRA show.

Toronto-based Freshii was the 2018 winner.

Nominate your brand here. Entries will be accepted until midnight Eastern time on Jan 31. There is no fee to enter.