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Bridging the restaurant coaching gap: LEAD announces leadership events in KC, Dallas

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February 5, 2026 by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

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As the publisher of FastCasual.com and a proud Kansas Citian, I've always said that some of the best leadership in the restaurant industry is bred right here in the heart of the country.

That's why I am absolutely thrilled to share that LEAD, a nonprofit platform dedicated to developing the next generation of restaurant talent, has officially set its 2026 event calendar. Even better? They are kicking things off right here in my backyard.

In partnership with the GLEAM Network, LEAD is tackling one of the most persistent hurdles in our industry: the "coaching gap." We've all seen it — managers and high-potential leaders are so bogged down by daily shifts and operational fires that the vital work of mentorship and succession planning often falls by the wayside.

LEAD was founded in 2019 to bridge that gap, and the 2026 lineup is a powerhouse.

"Leaders are working shifts rather than being able to step back and coach, impacting individual career paths from coaching and development, to succession planning," Amy Hom, LEAD founder and sponsor, said in a company press release. "The industry conferences many attend are not accessible to emerging leaders. LEAD opens the door to give emerging professionals access to the C-Suite leaders who are changing the pace of tomorrow."

Here is a look at what's coming:

Kansas City, Missouri, March 24, 2026

We'll be gathering at Chicken n Pickle in North Kansas City (one of my personal favorite spots for a great vibe and even better community). The speaker slate is a "who's who" of industry veterans, including:

Dr. Emily Williams-Knight, President and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association.
Matt Rolfe, Hospitality Leadership Coach and Speaker.
Eric Knott, CEO of Tiki Taco.
Brad Clarke, CEO of Chicken n Pickle.

Dallas, Texas, June 11, 2026

The momentum continues at Mexican Sugar in Plano with an equally impressive roster:

Jack Gibbons, CEO of FB Society
Carin Stutz, Board Member and Former CEO..
Adam Halberg, CEO of Barcelona Wine Bar.
Sabrina Scully-Mason, VP of Operations at Sixty Vines.
Robin Robison, president of Emerging Brands at Thrive Restaurant Group.

Why this matters

What I love most about LEAD is its mission of accessibility. High-level executive conferences are great, but they are often priced out of reach for the very people who need them most: our emerging leaders. As a nonprofit, LEAD focuses on hands-on competencies like financial literacy, strategic thinking, and "GRIT" — the resilience that defines a long-term career in hospitality.

As Amy Hom, LEAD founder and COO of Barcelona Wine Bar, puts it: "LEAD opens the door to give emerging professionals access to the C-Suite leaders that are changing the pace of tomorrow."

Get involved

Whether you're a rising star looking to level up or an executive interested in supporting the mission through the LEAD Council or sponsorship, now is the time to mark your calendars.

I can't wait to see some of you here in Kansas City this March. Let's make 2026 the year we truly invest in the people who are the future of fast casual.

Leadership Operations

About Cherryh Cansler

Cherryh Cansler is VP of Events for Networld Media Group and publisher of FastCasual.com. She has been covering the restaurant industry since 2012. Her byline has appeared in Forbes, The Kansas City Star and American Fitness magazine, among many others.

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