Fast Casual Top 100
Garden Catering's Tina Carpentieri honored as 'Fast Casual Woman of the Year'
The recognition serves as a powerful reminder that true leadership is often measured not just in profit, but in the lives touched and the unwavering spirit demonstrated in the face of life's most profound challenges.
May 21, 2025 by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com
The fast casual industry celebrated a new kind of leadership this year, honoring Tina Carpentieri, chief
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| Tina Carpentieri (second from right) poses next to her father and step-mother after receiving "Fast Casual Woman of the Year" award, presented by Robin Blanchette, founder of Norton Creative (left) Photo: Willie Lawless |
operating officer of Garden Catering, with the inaugural Fast Casual Woman of the Year award at the Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers gala in Chicago. The recognition goes beyond traditional business metrics, highlighting Carpentieri's remarkable resilience and profound commitment to philanthropy, particularly in the face of personal adversity.
The award, introduced by Fractional Chief Marketing Officer Stacey Kane, underscored the core values of the restaurant industry: "hustle, innovation and heart." Robin Blanchette, CEO of Norton Creative, who presented the award, emphasized that "leadership demands more than vision. It demands grit and the relentless perseverance to lead through challenges."
Giving back becomes personal
Garden Catering, an eight-unit brand known for its chicken nuggets, has long been synonymous with community giving. CEO Frank Carpentieri and his sister, Tina Carpentieri, have instilled a deep-rooted belief that a business should uplift those around it. The company has officially tracked over $1 million in donations, a figure estimated to be triple that since their father, Frank Sr., acquired the business in 1978.
However, in 2023, this mission became intensely personal for Tina. Just two years ago, in May 2023, her then 4-year-old daughter, Willa, was diagnosed with Leukemia. This life-altering moment brought Tina's world to a halt. Yet, even amidst fear, uncertainty, multiple hospital stays, chemotherapy, infections and setbacks, Tina "kept showing up," Kane and Blanchette told the audience filled with executives leading the 100 brands named to the Top 100 list..
As a full-time single mother, she navigated this incredibly challenging period with grace and resilience. Kane lauded her for leading "with the kind of love that moves mountains," noting how Tina transformed her family's hardest chapter into hope for others.
Through various fundraisers, including "Queen Willa's Countdown to the Bell," Tina spearheaded campaigns that raised thousands of dollars for families battling pediatric cancer. Her actions exemplified leadership not just through crisis, but "with purpose, heart, and incredible courage."
"Tina, your story reminds us what real leadership looks like," Kane said during the presentation. "You are the heart behind the brand — and tonight, I am so proud to honor you and we all look forward to Willa's end of treatment this summer."
The recognition of Tina Carpentieri as Fast Casual's Woman of the Year serves as a powerful reminder that true leadership is often measured not just in profit but in the lives touched and the unwavering spirit demonstrated in the face of life's most profound challenges.
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