Restaurant Marketing Workshop
Top 35 Marketers to be honored at Restaurant Marketing Workshop
After a rigorous nomination process and enthusiastic social media voting, 35 leaders were selected for their exceptional contributions to brand growth, digital transformation and customer engagement.
May 27, 2025 by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com
Networld Media Group, the publisher of FastCasual, QSRWeb, Pizza Marketplace and Food Truck Operator, is thrilled to announce the 35 marketing powerhouses named to our exclusive "Top 35 Movers & Shakers: Marketing" list. These individuals represent the pinnacle of innovation, creativity and strategic brilliance within the restaurant industry.
When 30 becomes 35
After a rigorous nomination process and enthusiastic social media voting, the leaders were selected for their exceptional contributions to brand growth, digital transformation and customer engagement. When we first launched the nomination process earlier this year, we planned to choose the top 30 voter-getters, but 29-35 were within one vote of one another, which inspired us to add five slots honoring their groundbreaking campaigns and forward-thinking initiatives.
The winners' parade
Join us in celebrating these extraordinary marketers at the Restaurant Marketing Workshop, June 2-3 in Indianapolis, where they will be honored for their achievements during a Marketing Parade. Register here to attend the workshop, designed for marketers by marketers.
The Top 35 list includes:
- Tom Carr, chief marketing officer, Chicken Salad Chick.
- Margaret Carrera, chief development officer, The Halal Guys.
- Annica Conrad, chief brand officer, City Barbeque.
- Peter Counter, brand development manager, Anthony's Pizza & Pasta.
- Carol DeNembo, chief marketing officer, Mountain Mike's Pizza.
- Alec Dimmig, marketing manager, Cousins Subs.
- Dave Green, chief marketing officer, Zaza Cuban Comfort Food.
- Morgan Hendrix, PR & partnerships manager, Torchy's Tacos.
- Myrna Hill-McGuire, marketing director, Giovanni's Pizza.
- Molly Hitzeman, director of brand marketing and social media, Hi-Pointe Drive-In.
- Newton Hoang, VP, marketing, Kura Sushi USA.
- Natalie Johnson, marketing director, Rusty Taco.
- Stacey Kane, CMO, Multiple Emerging Brands.
- Andy Linke, senior director of marketing, Ziggi's Coffee.
- Katie Love, VP of marketing, Sonny's BBQ.
- Lauren Lumbley, VP marketing, BRIX Holdings.
- Zack Mathis, director of marketing, Azzip Pizza.
- Tonya McCoy, vice president of marketing, Angry Chickz.
- Kelsey McManemin, vice president of marketing, HTeaO.
- Emily Murphy, marketing director, Pasta di Guy.
- Abby Pastors, director of marketing, Craveworthy Brands.
- Brooke Perry, VP of marketing, Velvet Taco.
- Anne Pritz, chief marketing officer, Bobby's Burgers by Bobby Flay.
- Kathryn Radtke, marketing director, Clean Plate Restaurants.
- Jeff Rinke, vice president of marketing and product development, Hungry Howie's.
- Jenn Ruppert, vice president, marketing, Salad Collective.
- Eric Stepp, senior off-premise & catering manager, Bojangles.
- Kaitlin Stoehr, senior director of marketing, Krystal.
- Marita Swift, vice president, strategic growth, The Big Biscuit.
- Katie Thoms, vice president of marketing of the quick-service division, FAT Brands.
- Maria Trujillo, chief marketing officer, Cicis Pizza.
- Deborah Von Kutzleben, chief marketing officer, Tropical Smoothie Cafe.
- Julie Wade, senior director of marketing, Taziki's.
- Monique Waldrop, chief marketing officer, 4Rivers Restaurant Group.
- James Walker, chief concept & culinary officer, Experiential Brands.
Tom Carr has been the marketing engine behind Chicken Salad Chick's transformation from a regional favorite to a national fast casual powerhouse. As CMO since 2016, he's helped grow the brand to over 290 locations in 21 states. In 2024, he led the charge on high-performing menu innovations — including the Greek Goddess LTO and the White Chocolate Layer Cake — that drove record sales and boosted average checks. He also oversaw the rebuild of the brand's digital infrastructure with a new app, website and upgraded loyalty program, increasing customer engagement.
As chief development officer at The Halal Guys, Margaret Carrera has elevated the brand through craveworthy LTOs, major partnerships and dynamic marketing strategies. Her work with the New York Yankees and The Thanksgiving Basketball Classic amplified awareness, while influencer campaigns delivered over 50 million views. In 2024, social media reach doubled, Instagram impressions grew by 80%, and press coverage reached 9.5 billion impressions. She also launched four LTOs, revamped in-store merchandising and drove guest engagement through creative advertising.
As chief brand officer at City Barbeque, Annica Conrad is redefining the digital guest experience by blending tech innovation with the brand's signature hospitality. She has led the launch of a custom-built app with features like group ordering, delivery tracking and personalized upsells, while also rolling out Pitmaster, a gamified loyalty platform. These efforts, along with strategic agency partnerships and standout campaigns like the 25th anniversary 25-cent sandwich offer, drove a 43% increase in loyalty membership and 26% boost in loyalty sales.
Peter Counter, brand development manager at Anthony's Pizza & Pasta, is redefining restaurant marketing by turning brand moments into cultural experiences. From launching Anthony's at Red Rocks — an iconic venue that delivered 1.2 million impressions and exceeded sales projections by 20% — to a co-branded ski campaign with Icelantic Skis that sold out and boosted winter sales by 12%, Counter blends local pride with smart strategy. His work also drives purpose, as seen in the Project Angel Heart campaign that raised tens of thousands for charity and increased customer donations by 85%. His approach proves that meaningful engagement fuels both community connection and business growth.
As CMO of Mountain Mike's Pizza, Carol DeNembo has been a driving force behind the brand's national expansion and rising prominence. From strategic sports partnerships with the 49ers, Angels and Kings to loyalty campaigns with more than 60% engagement, her initiatives have fueled record-breaking growth. In 2024, her team's inventive LTOs — like the Heart-Shaped Pizza and Pi Day promo — spurred major traffic, including nearly 40,000 heart pizzas sold and 10,000 new app members in one day. With a goal of 400 locations by 2026, DeNembo's bold, creative leadership continues to elevate Mountain Mike's as a beloved family favorite across the U.S.
As marketing manager at Cousins Subs, Alec Dimmig leads local store marketing for 60 corporate-owned locations, drives store launches and oversees major vendor relationships. His efforts have helped grow system sales by 10% over two years and added $500,000 in annual revenue to the company's catering business. Dimmig also plays a key role in sports partnerships, loyalty marketing and community fundraising, delivering $35,000 in value to local causes. A standout leader, he helped launch stores in Wisconsin that achieved some of the highest opening-week sales in company history. From segmentation strategies to social media planning, Dimmig consistently turns creative ideas into measurable results.
As CMO of Zaza Cuban Comfort Food, Dave Green is leading a digital transformation that is redefining the guest experience. Over the past year, he has launched a modern POS system, mobile app, online ordering platform, touchscreen kiosks and a thriving loyalty program — driving over 19% growth in online sales. Since its August 2024 debut, the loyalty program has seen monthly check-ins grow 17%, fueling a 13% lift in same-store sales. Green's innovative third-party delivery strategies have also delivered more than 39% sales growth. His work is building a seamless omnichannel experience and accelerating Zaza's growth across all touchpoints.
Morgan Hendrix, PR & partnerships manager at Torchy's Tacos, has turned storytelling into a strategic growth engine. She has spearheaded the brand's first NFL partnership with the Kansas City Chiefs, launched buzzworthy collaborations like the Torchy's x Opry Entertainment sweepstakes, and orchestrated culturally resonant activations that have earned national coverage in outlets including Rolling Stone andPeople. Known for her bold, creative approach to restaurant PR, Hendrix leads campaigns that make people talk and show up.
In just over a year as marketing director at Giovanni's Pizza, Myrna Hill-McGuire has delivered a remarkable brand transformation. She streamlined corporate and franchise marketing efforts, rolled out a new website and franchisee portal, and established comprehensive social media guidelines that improved SEO and brand consistency across nearly 100 locations. Under her leadership, Giovanni's saw dramatic digital gains, including a 463% increase in Facebook impressions and a 72% rise in Google Business profiles claimed. Her 60th anniversary campaign led to record guest counts and a 7.4% increase in store sales in 2024, proving her strategic impact on the brand's growth.
Molly Hitzeman, director of brand marketing and social media at Hi-Pointe Drive-In, is a powerhouse of creativity, leading all marketing efforts as a one-woman team. She has built a bold, unapologetic brand voice that resonates deeply with the restaurant's growing fan base — affectionately dubbed "loyal burglings." From concept to execution, Molly drives every campaign, shoots and edits all content, and manages social media with standout originality. Her flagship initiative, "12 Days of Litmas," has raised over $150,000 for charity while bringing in thousands of new fans. She is also behind the viral 3.14 "St. Lunatic" sandwich, generating more than $10,000 in a single day.
As VP of marketing at Kura Sushi USA, Newton Hoang has redefined brand strategy by focusing on a core customer persona — "Sarah" — and aligning campaigns to resonate with her preferences. His recent Real Snow Crab California Roll campaign drove a 350% increase in ADQ and earned $2.5 million in media coverage, proving the power of ingredient transparency. Newton also led the brand's 15th anniversary celebration with a Fly to Japan sweepstakes that spurred 34% same-store sales growth during the campaign and a 29% spike in app users. His mix of cultural relevance and strategic targeting continues to fuel Kura Sushi's momentum.
As marketing director at Rusty Taco, Natalie Johnson has led a bold brand refresh that is driving real results. She launched the Bite Bold campaign to unveil a fully enhanced menu, including the debut of Rusty Taco's first-ever burrito and new Taco Party Boxes — sparking strong test market performance and guest excitement. Johnson blends creative storytelling with data-driven strategy, delivering national buzz through campaigns like National Margarita Day. She has also elevated social engagement and successfully redefined the brand's positioning to deepen guest connection and drive traffic, proving her role as a dynamic force in fast casual marketing.
Stacey Kane is a powerhouse CMO known for scaling emerging restaurant brands with big results — without the overhead of full-time marketing departments. In 2024 alone, she led more than 30 LTO launches across 8 brands and supported the opening of more than 50 new restaurants. Her agile, results-driven strategies boosted engagement — one brand saw a 41% year-over-year increase — and generated hundreds of millions in earned media value. Kane excels at blending data with storytelling to drive frequency and acquisition, all while giving back through CORE and National ProStart. Her ability to deliver impact, innovation and purpose makes her a clear choice for the Top 30 list.
As senior director of marketing at Ziggi's Coffee, Andy Linke has helped drive brand growth through data-driven insights, creative storytelling and innovative loyalty campaigns. He led the development of the brand's original tagline — "The best part of your day" — and oversees 4–6 major campaigns annually. In 2024, Linke spearheaded updates to the loyalty program that resulted in a 113% increase in visiting accounts and a 132% spike in spend. His "Season of Love" campaign alone delivered $192,000 in incremental loyalty revenue. Linke's ability to blend creativity with strategy continues to elevate Ziggi's competitive edge in the coffee space.
Katie Love, vice president of marketing at Sonny's BBQ, has been instrumental in modernizing the brand and driving same-store sales growth. In 2024, she led the launch of a new mobile app and loyalty program, which attracted more than 320,000 members and generated nearly $14 million in revenue. She also spearheaded a redesigned website focused on digital ordering, organic search and storytelling, while integrating FlyBuy for seamless curbside service. Love's leadership extended to the "It's Always Sonny's Here" brand campaign, which boosted brand awareness by 33% and brand consideration by 28%, fueling increased traffic and reinforcing Sonny's BBQ's market presence.
As vice president of marketing at BRIX Holdings, Lauren Lumbley leads brand and marketing strategy across eight restaurant brands with more than 300 locations nationwide. In 2024, her campaigns drove double-digit comp sales and traffic growth, most notably with Friendly's. There, she launched a nostalgic and wildly successful partnership with the Jonas Brothers — who began their music career in a Friendly's — creating signature sundaes and national tour tie-ins that generated more than 400 million impressions and increased social followers by 1,500%. Her broader portfolio work, including a National Ice Cream Day campaign, delivered more than 1.5 billion impressions and $2.6 million in earned media.
Zack Mathis has taken Azzip Pizza's marketing to the next level by blending innovation with brand personality. In 2024, he launched Azzip's first-ever rewards program — Creator Rewards — breaking 10,000 signups in the first month with a gamified structure that resonates with loyal fans. He has also grown the Pizza of the Month Club by 4% year-over-year despite an 11% price increase, setting a new high in membership registration at 96%. Zack's work isn't just external; he is also driving a major tech upgrade with omnichannel rewards integration via Hang and Olo. His creativity and strategic vision continue to deepen customer engagement and fuel growth.
Tonya McCoy has been a powerhouse behind Angry Chickz's explosive growth in 2024. As vice president of marketing, she has led the charge on major initiatives — from launching catering and overhauling digital ordering to rolling out a Toast-integrated menu system that streamlined operations and drove sales. Her social strategy doubled Instagram followers, grew Facebook engagement by 136%, and expanded the brand's reach across TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn. With four new openings and standout grand openings in Tracy and Salinas, McCoy helped boost same-store sales by 15% and gift card revenue by a staggering 774%. Her work continues to position Angry Chickz as one of the hottest names in the chicken game.
As vice president of marketing at HTeaO, Kelsey McManemin has driven explosive growth, leading to a 72% revenue increase from 2023 to 2024. She launched a full brand refresh, restructured the marketing team, and introduced a custom app to boost guest retention. Her data-driven strategy includes successful promotions like BOGO Fridays and BesTEA Tuesdays, which increased weekly sales by 7.4% and Tuesday sales by 34%, respectively. McManemin also redesigned the menu board, resulting in a 14.5% sales lift and a 12.4% boost in order value. Her efforts have supercharged HTeaO's digital presence and cemented its position as a fast-growing national brand.
As marketing director at Pasta di Guy, Emily Murphy has played a key role in the brand's rising visibility and customer engagement. She has introduced interactive campaigns like the weekly specials vote on social media, giving customers a voice in the menu and building community connection. Emily has enhanced the brand's digital presence with a new mobile app, AI-powered SEO and CRM email campaigns that boost loyalty and repeat visits. Her data-driven strategies and creative partnerships with local businesses and influencers have expanded Pasta di Guy's reach and fueled growth. Emily's innovation and leadership continue to shape the brand's success.
Since the launch of Craveworthy Brands in 2023, Abby Pastors has played a key role in shaping the marketing strategy across all 15 of its concepts. Starting with just three brands and 17 locations, she helped grow the portfolio to more than 200 restaurants. Now director of marketing at 25, Pastors leads strategy, creative and execution system-wide. One of her standout efforts was The Budlong Southern Chicken's THC Sandwich — a one-day LTO that sparked an 86.8% jump in sales and 232% spike in engagement. With a mix of bold ideas and data-driven execution, Pastors continues to deliver measurable success and cultural relevance across the Craveworthy portfolio.
Since joining Velvet Taco in 2023, VP of marketing Brooke Perry has ignited the brand's growth with a bold vision and sharp execution. Her refreshed digital strategy — including a 3,025% surge in Instagram engagement — has made Velvet Taco a social standout, with viral videos hitting more than 30 million views. Perry also led the "Open Really Late" campaign, boosting late-night sales by 11%, and expanded loyalty membership to more than 760,000 — outpacing major brands per location. With the brand's first international launch in London on the horizon, Perry is solidifying Velvet Taco's place as a global contender in the fast casual space.
As CMO of Bobby's Burgers by Bobby Flay, Anne Pritz champions a "food forward" strategy that highlights the brand's chef-driven identity. Her emphasis on authenticity — like using unedited food photography — has deepened guest connections and fueled franchise interest. Under her leadership, the brand's loyalty program launched in mid-2024 and gained nearly 5,000 members in under a year. Social media has been a major growth driver, with Instagram followers up 48%, LinkedIn up 60%, and Facebook impressions surging more than 480%. Pritz's digital strategy, particularly around the Charlotte flagship opening, continues to boost brand affinity and expansion.
Kathryn Radtke, marketing director at Clean Plate Restaurants, leads strategy across multiple brands, balancing system-wide growth with local community relevance. She has overseen successful initiatives like launching online gift cards, expanding third-party delivery and digital ordering, and building a 50,000-subscriber email list. Her efforts have driven an additional $2.5 million in sales and doubled loyalty program membership at MarketPlace Grill. Radtke also grew catering and private events to contribute more than $200,000 annually, not including MarketPlace Grill's $1 million in yearly catering revenue. Her community-focused leadership includes Clean Plate Cares, an employee emergency grant program with more than 20 grants awarded.
Jeff Rinke, vice president of marketing and product development at Hungry Howie's, is driving innovation through bold menu development and digital strategy. He led the successful 2023 Secret Menu launch, a QR code-driven campaign that generated more than $515,000 in sales and brought in more than 5,000 new users. In 2024, he followed up with buzzworthy LTOs like the Pink Pizza, Pickle Bacon Ranch Pizza and Chicken and Waffles Pizza, which doubled projected sales within two weeks. Rinke also champions community impact through the Love, Hope & Pizza campaign, reinforcing Hungry Howie's leadership in both creativity and cause-driven marketing.
Jenn Ruppert, vice president of marketing at Salad Collective, leads brand strategy for MAD Greens, Snappy Salads and Tokyo Joe's. She has driven major wins through digital innovation, brand refreshes and standout LTOs like the Berry Boost Salad, which captured 7% of sales. Her 2023 Cyber Monday e-gift card campaign boosted sales 90% year-over-year in just four days. Ruppert also grew loyalty transactions by up to 36% and increased signups 77% through app challenges and a new scorecard system.
Eric Stepp has been a powerhouse behind Bojangles' off-premise and catering growth. In just one year, he helped the brand surpass $100 million in digital sales by launching a first-party catering platform, securing a strategic ezCater partnership, and revamping marketing around dayparts and LTOs — boosting off-premise revenue by more than $10 million. He led the creation of Bo Catering's digital foundation, expanded to more than 300 stores, and introduced "Bo Time Moments." Stepp also implemented an innovative e-gift card program with Wolfe, just in time for the holidays. His strategic vision is reshaping how Bojangles connects with guests beyond the restaurant.
Kaitlin Stoehr, senior director of marketing at Krystal, has led a bold strategy to modernize the brand while honoring its legacy. Under her leadership, Krystal launched a nostalgia-driven ad campaign and a high-impact NIL initiative with top SEC athletes, boosting emotional resonance and relevance. The NIL campaign alone generated more than 1.1 million organic impressions and a 4.3% engagement rate. Stoehr also streamlined Krystal's agency partnerships to enhance creative output and consistency across channels. Her integrated marketing approach contributed to positive comp sales in 2024 and 395 million paid media impressions, along with standout product innovations like the Patty Melt.
As vice president of strategic growth at The Big Biscuit, Marita Swift has been instrumental in elevating the brand's visibility and momentum on a national scale. Her cross-functional leadership — spanning franchise development, marketing, culinary innovation and operations — has helped land the brand on Franchise Times' Top Five Breakout Brands of 2024. In 2024 alone, Swift led a record-breaking Pumpkin Pancakes campaign and launched a new beverage line, "Western Sodas," using data-driven strategies to boost engagement and sales. She also created the brand's first "Stuff Your Face" pancake-eating competition, tying it to The Big Biscuit's annual school supply drive, which supported more than 20 school districts.
Katie Thoms, vice president of marketing for the quick-service division at FAT Brands, is leading strategic growth through the company's co-branded Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery concept. In 2024, she launched the dessert category's first co-branded app and loyalty program, allowing guests to earn and redeem rewards across both brands. Since launch, average order value has increased by 12%, loyalty sign-ups are up 21% year-over-year, and engagement has grown 15% in just 90 days. Thoms also introduced a 3D Cookie Cake Builder, boosting online conversions by 14%. With more than 160 co-branded units and more on the way, her efforts are redefining the QSR experience.
Since joining Cicis in 2022, CMO Maria Trujillo has led a marketing transformation centered on innovation, digital expansion and guest engagement. She launched Cicis Listens, the brand's first real-time feedback platform, and revitalized menu innovation with buzzworthy co-branded LTOs. To celebrate Cicis' 40th anniversary, she is rolling out a new loyalty program and streamlined franchisee marketing tools. One standout initiative was the Piezilla campaign, which featured interactive digital ads, influencer partnerships and a blockbuster-style launch — resulting in a 10% sales lift, 500+ Piezillas sold, and more than 60 million impressions. Maria's creative, data-driven approach continues to elevate Cicis' brand relevance nationwide.
As CMO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Deborah Von Kutzleben has led transformative marketing efforts that have elevated the brand's digital presence and loyalty engagement. Under her leadership, the mobile app was enhanced with personalized offers and intuitive features that drive repeat visits. She launched successful campaigns like the Hawaiian BBQ Sliders, a standout snack LTO that quickly exceeded sales projections. Deborah also spearheaded a strategic partnership with Horizon Media to boost national visibility through data-driven campaigns. Her bold, insight-led approach continues to reinforce Tropical Smoothie Cafe's vibrant identity and support its rapid growth beyond 1,500 locations.
Julie Wade, senior director of marketing at Taziki's, has driven impactful growth through data-driven strategies, smart tech integration and creative brand storytelling. Her leadership of successful LTOs — including the Fish Sandwich, Street Gyro and Value Promo — has energized the menu and boosted revenue. Wade's optimization of new store opening processes has helped franchisees launch with confidence, while her Project Elevate initiative increased average weekly volume at key locations. She also led the rollout of catering bundles, now top sellers on ezCater, and boosted guest frequency by 15% through personalized marketing. Wade's push for innovation, from AI call center analysis to tech pilots like Adentro WiFi, continues to modernize operations and position Taziki's for long-term success.
Monique Waldrop, chief marketing officer at 4Rivers Restaurant Group, has redefined what it means to blend community engagement with digital innovation. Under her leadership, 4Rivers achieved nearly $1 million in revenue from three LTOs and drove more than $955,000 through non-branded Google Ads — earning a 9.06 ROAS. Her rollout of a new app and use of Slang.ai for customer service (handling more than 27,000 calls in two months) are testaments to her tech-savvy strategy. She also launched the brand's first-ever TV campaign and grew 4Rivers' loyalty program to more than 500,000 members — fueling guest retention and brand love across every touchpoint.
James Walker, the former chief concept and culinary officer at Experiential Brands, played a pivotal role in launching and growing the parent company's four fast casual concepts: Inked Tacos, Flametown Burgers, The Original Hot Chicken and Pinsa Roman Pizza. His strategic use of social media — focusing on craveable, Instagram-worthy menu items — has driven impressive brand awareness and engagement. By showcasing dishes and brand stories across platforms, Walker has helped Experiential Brands break into high-demand markets, including colleges and universities. His marketing-first mindset and innovative culinary leadership have positioned each brand for sustained growth.
In March 2025, Walker left Experiential Brands to take the helm at Lunchbox, where he is tasked help brands cut through the tech noise to help them scale.
About Cherryh Cansler
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