The Fast Casual Alliance moves under NRA umbrella
A newly formed industry council will serve as the NRA's model for future collaborations.
September 29, 2009 by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance
Although the formation of the Fast Casual Alliance – An NRA Industry Council was announced Sept. 15, the organization's transition will take about two years to complete. But by entering into the new partnership, and reimaging its overall strategic plan, the National Restaurant Association will position itself to better tackle industry issues, said NRA chairman Michael Kaufman during his address at the 2009 Fast Casual Executive Summit.
The new council will reside under the NRA umbrella, with existing FCA members retaining their board positions until the end of the year. In 2010, operators who have yet to become NRA members will be asked to do so in order to retain their FCA involvement.
"As one of the attendees of the first Fast Casual Summit and each year following 2006, and as a member of the board of directors, I have seen first hand the impact of this segment, and how it really has changed the way people eat," said Linda Duke, CEO of Duke Marketing and secretary of the FCA.
The Fast Casual Alliance was launched by Paul Barron and NetWorld Alliance, publisher of FastCasual.com. Officers of the group include Barron, who serves as chairman, Louis Basile, FCA president and founder of Wildflower Bread Company, Alan Hixon, Alliance VP and president of Mooyah Burgers & Fries, and Duke.
Duke said the newly formed group is an important step for the alliance and for the fast casual segment.
"To have the Fast Casual Alliance chosen by the NRA as the ‘model' for future restaurant industry councils is such an honor and is a testament to how hot this segment has become," she said. "Fast casuals continue to lead the way, even in this tough economic time."
The creation of the council also fits into the NRA's new strategic initiative to better unite the restaurant industry as a whole.
"Our industry is a wonderfully wide and diverse mosaic of businesses. While all restaurant owners face many of the same opportunities and challenges, each industry segment also has unique characteristics," said Dawn Sweeney, CEO of the NRA. "Our vision is to work with all of the communities within the restaurant and foodservice industry to gain input as we move forward with the implementation of our new strategic plan."
Sweeney also said FCA members have done a "tremendous" job bringing top executives together to tackle fast-casual segment challenges.
"As an established group, the Alliance brings expertise and insight that can help us better serve members in the fast casual community," she said. "By incorporating the input and expertise of the Fast Casual Alliance as an official Council of the National Restaurant Association, we will be able to even better represent both this particular segment and all aspects of our industry."
