Operations
The future is collaborative: 17 female restaurant leaders reveal power moves
Guided by the colors of progress, 17 industry trailblazers reveal how they are trading the grind for a new era of radical community.
March 6, 2026 by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com
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ClaudeThere is something uniquely poetic about March 8th. For me, it has always been a day of dual celebration: a personal reflection on another year of life and a professional tribute to the women who breathe life into the restaurant industry.
As we mark International Women's Day, the visual landscape is striking. You'll see the traditional colors of the movement everywhere: Purple, green and white. These aren't just aesthetic choices; they are a historical call to action. Purple signifies justice and dignity; green symbolizes hope; and white represents purity and the ongoing quest for equality.
In the restaurant industry, these colors feel particularly resonant this year. We are seeing a shift away from the "climb-at-all-costs" mentality and toward a culture of intentional community
We see it in the collaborative power of organizations like the Women's Foodservice Forum and the structured mentorship of programs like LEAD. These are no longer just professional development milestones; they are the infrastructure of our collective success. The modern restaurant leader knows that "growth" is not a solo pursuit. It is an act of lifting as you climb, creating space for others and recognizing that the industry is at its best when we operate from a foundation of empathy, candor and shared accountability.
This year, I reached out to some of the most dynamic women in the business to talk about what it actually takes to lead right now. I didn't just want to hear their titles — I wanted to hear their truths. I asked them to define leadership, to address the myth of the "easy button" and to tell me how they prevent burnout in an industry that rarely sleeps. Some of them even shared their "walk-up" songs with me.
The responses they provided form more than a collection of quotes; they are a masterclass in sustainable, human-centric leadership.
As you read through their insights, you'll see a common thread: whether they are leading a national brand or managing a single franchise, these women are proving that you don't have to sacrifice your humanity to build a powerhouse. They are building brands that value culture as much as revenue, and they are ensuring that the next generation of women doesn't just see a seat at the table; they see a ladder waiting for them.
Below is the wisdom from 17 women shaping the future of our industry, including:
- Dawn Petite, president, Brix Holdings.
- Jodi Boyce, CMO, Teriyaki Madness.
- Jennifer Schuler, CEO, Handel's Ice Cream.
- Jennifer Brynteson, franchisee, TCBY.
- Lorraine Pater, a Smoothie King franchisee.
- Laura Rea Dickey, CEO for Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants Inc.
- Kelly Grogan, founder, Crumbs.
- Elisia Flores, L&L Hawaiian, CEO.
- Kristen Hohl, EVP of Marketing, SPB Hospitality.
- Kim Collura, VP of Marketing, Jason's Deli.
- Shauna Smith, managing director, Savory Fund.
- Tonya McCoy, VP, Marketing, Angry Chickz.
- Kelly Gray, co-owner, Hot Head Burritos.
- Carmela Hughley, SVP of Marketing, Insights, Innovation, Rita's Italian Ice.
- Sharon Arthofer, founder and CEO, Sip Fresh.
- Kelli Valade, president and CEO, WFF.
- Julie Hargis, director of Culinary, Starbird.
Leadership in one word: Empowerment
Growth means: Creating sustainable momentum for our people, our brand, and our guests. It's not just getting bigger; it's getting better.
Burnout prevention looks like: Clear priorities, strong teams, and permission to step away and recharge. You can't pour into others from an empty cup.
The biggest myth about my job: That it's all strategy and big decisions. The real work is listening, adapting, and solving problems every day.
The hill I'll die on: Being honest with our people and our guests, especially when it's hard. Transparency is how you earn loyalty.
My non-negotiable: Mistakes are inevitable; being honest about it is non-negotiable.
The moment I knew I belonged in this industry: When I saw how a simple meal could turn into a meaningful family memory. Helping create those moments never gets old.
Leadership in one word: Intentional
Growth means: Finding the intersection between your passion, skills, areas of interest and business means.
Burnout prevention looks like: Pacing and prioritizing
The biggest myth about my job: The CEO has the ultimate decision-making power. While that may be true on paper the best decisions don't get made that way, particularly in a franchise system where you are getting input and ideas from individual business owners on the front line and throughout the organization.
The hill I'll die on: If people are not thriving personally, they cannot thrive professionally.
My non-negotiable:Always insert fun, joy and play in whatever you're doing.
The moment I knew I belonged in this industry: I was 10 years old, and my favorite imagination play was to set up a restaurant in my house and my sisters and I would make elaborate pretend meals to serve to our parents.
Leadership in one word: Accountability. For my own decisions and for creating clarity and ownership across the team.
Growth means: Personal progress in how you lead, collaborate across teams and intentionally build trust at scale.
Burnout prevention looks like: Clear priorities, honest capacity checks and real permission to unplug.
The biggest myth about my job: That marketing is just creative or synonymous with sales, when it's actually strategy, data and technology driving revenue and simplifying complexity for consumers.
The hill I'll die on: Data should inform decisions, not paralyze them.
My non-negotiable: Respect. For people's time, ideas and real lives outside of work.
The moment I knew I belonged in this industry: When I realized success requires speed to react in the moment, paired with strategy to stay proactively ahead.
Leadership in one word: Service
Growth means: Creating and nurturing a thriving business measured by sales and our reputation as a creative, contributing member of the community.
Burnout prevention looks like: Taking time to enjoy the process and allowing for flexibility in reaching goals.
The biggest myth about my job: It's not all about selling products. In small business, success is as much about managing relationships, hiring, training, and building a good team as it is about what you sell.
The hill I'll die on: Engaging with the community. Giving generously where we are able always comes back to us.
My non-negotiable: Enjoying the journey!
My walk-up song would be: "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley
Growth means: focusing on strategic, profitable growth. I don't want to just grow for revenue sake, but I want to grow for the right reasons which are creating opportunities for team members, building a better culture, and adding more profitability to sustain future growth.
Burnout prevention looks like: Delegation, which ultimately creates more opportunities for team members.
The biggest myth about my job:Owners only care about profits. I truly care about team culture and development of team members that come in and out of our organization.
The hill I'll die on: Team culture is always about people. Even if someone is talented, if they are not the right fit - I will help them find a new opportunity.
My non-negotiables:Show up on time, be friendly, and treat people the right way.
Leadership in one word: Hands-on.
My walk-up song:"All I Do Is Win" by DJ Khaled.
Growth means: Identifying areas that need to change and being able to look back days, months, and years later to see how they have changed, not just improved. It means learning to be proud of who you were in the days before and using that pride to fuel the days ahead.
Burnout prevention looks like: Being clear on what your reset is and actually using it. Mine is a good night's sleep and a workout, preferably a class where the people around me push my mind as hard as my body. Soul Cycle has always been my go-to. Knowing when to shut the laptop is a skill. Knowing what comes next is a superpower.
The biggest myth about my job: That I have the magic easy button everyone is searching for to grow their catering sales. The truth is, the easy button already exists. It's living inside your four walls. CRUMBS just helps restaurants find it & hit it.
The hill I'll die on: Confetti cannons. There is a thrill in setting one off and I highly recommend everyone try it. They make bad days better and good days unforgettable.
My non-negotiable: Sales is just amazing customer service with a goal attached. The operators who go above and beyond, who make someone's day genuinely better, those are the ones building customers for life. You don't have to be a salesperson. You just have to care more than everyone else.
Leadership in one word: Conversation
My walk-up song would be: "Unstoppable" - Sia
Growth means: Staying curious and never assuming you've arrived.
Burnout prevention looks like: Intentionally carving out and protecting time in my schedule.
The biggest myth about my job: Being a CEO is lonely. It can be, but I love working alongside my team, franchisees and partners whenever possible.
The hill I'll die on: That L&L Hawaiian Barbecue stays original and true to our Hawai'i roots.
My non-negotiable: Time with my family.
Leadership in one word: Authenticity.
My walk-up song would be: "Born this Way" - Lady Gaga
Leadership in one word: Humility
Growth means: Evolving
Burnout prevention looks like: Oceanside Mojitos
The biggest myth about my job: I personally like everything on the menu
The hill I'll die on: Smoked barbecue is the best barbecue
My non-negotiable: What gets measured, gets managed.
My walk-up song: "We Are Family" – Sister Sledge
Leadership in one word: Respect. It's how trust is built and performance follows.
Growth means: Building leaders, not followers. When you invest in your team's confidence and capability, the business naturally expands with them.
Burnout prevention looks like: Setting boundaries and honoring them. My family comes first. Protecting that time makes me more present, more creative, and more effective at work.
The biggest myth about my job: That marketing is decoration. It's not. We drive traffic, strengthen margin, build brand equity, and create measurable business impact.
The hill I'll die on: Local store marketing drives local results. Empower the operators, know your community and you win.
My non-negotiable: We are relentlessly operator-focused. If it doesn't help the field succeed, we rethink it. Period.
The moment I knew I belonged in this industry: I started in operations and never looked back. I thrive on developing people, serving guests and building teams that win together.
Leadership in one word: Stewardship
Growth means: Getting better on purpose, not just growing bigger
Burnout prevention looks like: Clear priorities, strong teams that support each other and knowing what actually matters in this moment
The biggest myth about my job: That marketing is the "fun" department - it is fun, for sure, but it's also math, margin, strategy and constant trade-offs
The hill I'll die on: Brand and operations have to run TOGETHER. If one outpaces the other, everyone feels it.
My non-negotiable: Candor - we say the hard thing early instead of the comfortable thing late.
The moment I knew I belonged in this industry: When innovation that I helped shape didn't just look good in a Marketing deck, it drove traffic and changed behavior. That feeling is hard to replicate anywhere else.
Leadership in one word: Influence.
Growth means: Creating value over time in business, in others, in ourselves.
Burnout prevention looks like: Maintaining perspective and remembering that pressure is a privilege.
The biggest myth about my job: That private equity is all spreadsheets and returns. Returns are important, but it's actually more operational than spreadsheets. It's people, culture, brand positioning, and working with our operators to build sustainable businesses.
The hill I'll die on: Being an a-hole is unnecessary and just plain inefficient. Business is hard enough. Kindness is the power move.
My non-negotiable: Integrity. Because trust is the foundation of a successful business
The moment I knew I belonged in this industry: When I took my first job as a sandwich artist at Subway when I was 14 years old. Even at that young age, I loved the work so much. And I've loved it ever since.
Leadership in one word: Clarity. Clear direction, consistent standards and genuine support unlock performance most teams don't even know they're capable of.
Growth means: Building people and systems that can scale without losing what makes you great.
Burnout prevention looks like: Disciplined focus. Not everything is urgent, protecting priorities protects people.
The biggest myth about my job: That marketing is about noise. The real work is building alignment so the brand promise and the operational reality match.
The hill I'll die on: Culture is a performance driver. When people feel respected and equipped to win, the numbers follow.
My non-negotiable: Respect in how we speak, we decide and how we lead. You can demand excellence without compromising humanity.
The moment I knew I belonged in this industry: When I realized restaurants are about more than food….they're about opportunity. We don't just serve guests, we build careers.
Leadership in one word: Alignment.
Growth means: Growth means building people while building the business. Strong teams create strong brands.
Burnout prevention looks like: Clear priorities and leaders you trust. Burnout happens when everything feels urgent and no one is empowered.
The biggest myth about my job: That success in restaurants is luck. It's discipline, consistency and a lot of hard decisions behind the scenes.
The hill I'll die on: Consistency wins. Great brands are built on doing the basics right over and over again.
My non-negotiable: Integrity. How you lead and how you treat people always show up in performance.
The moment I knew I belonged in this industry: When I realized restaurants create real opportunities. You can build careers, confidence and a future in this business.
Leadership in one word: Empathy.
Growth means: Growth means becoming better before becoming bigger. It's developing people, building confidence, learning from hard seasons and creating momentum that lasts not just chasing the next win.
Burnout prevention looks like: Boundaries and perspective. I work hard but I've learned that protecting energy is just as important as protecting results. Making space to think, to recharge and to be present with my family keeps me sharper as a leader.
The biggest myth about my job: That it's all glamorous launches, events, big ideas. The reality? It's a lot of listening, aligning teams, solving problems and making tough calls. The magic people see is built on a lot of behind-the-scenes discipline.
The hill I'll die on: People over ego. The best ideas win, not the loudest voice in the room. And when teams feel heard, they show up differently.
My non-negotiable: Integrity. I won't sacrifice long-term brand trust or team culture for a short-term win.
The moment I knew I belonged in this industry: When I saw how much joy something as simple as a frozen treat could bring not just to guests, but to franchisees building their livelihoods. Watching marketing translate into real impact for families, communities and teams. That's when it stopped being a job and became something bigger.
Leadership in one word: Engagement.
Growth means: From an industry perspective, growth means building a brand that can scale sustainably without compromising on your mission or guest
experience. Personally, growth means continuously evolving as a leader, staying curious and becoming stronger and more resilient with every challenge.
Burnout prevention looks like: Burnout prevention for me means building a strong, trusted team that truly understands the Sip Fresh brand and culture while
empowering them to carry that brand mission forward. This trust allows me to delegate with confidence, maintain balance and ensure Sip Fresh continues to grow with consistency and purpose.
The biggest myth about my job: Some might believe that Sip Fresh is "just juice," but in reality, we've built Sip Fresh around fresh, high-quality beverages and an interactive experience that makes every visit memorable. On a personal
level, people may assume that leadership means always having the right answers, but it's about asking the right questions and empowering others to succeed, which is critical to ensuring Sip Fresh franchisees feel supported and
confident.
The hill I'll die on: As you are growing your business, quality and service can never become negotiable, because that is the foundation of consumer trust and long-term loyalty.
My non-negotiable: Always treat people with respect and dignity, and expect the same for yourself in the way you are treated. That principle guides every relationship and decision I make as a leader.
My walk-up song: "Girl on Fire" by Alicia Keys
Growth means: Growth means stretching yourself beyond comfort. It means taking chances and leaning in to opportunities to strengthen yourself in body mind and soul!
Burnout prevention looks like: Creating space to re-set, being mindful of your limits. It's recognizing your triggers, and deliberately finding ways to offset those triggers.
The biggest myth about my job: The myth that as CEO, you have the freedom to make all decisions. As a CEO, you actually have more bosses than anyone, especially if you run a public company.
The hill I'll die on: Bringing my whole self to work
My non-negotiable: Protecting my boundaries
Leadership in one word: Servant
My walk-up song would be: Soul Shine
Leadership in one word: Intentional.
Growth means: Growth means staying curious. It's being willing to evolve your palate, your management style, and your perspective. It's understanding that refinement never stops — whether that's a recipe, a system, or your own leadership approach.
Burnout prevention looks like: Burnout prevention looks like boundaries and delegation. It means building strong systems so everything doesn't rely on sheer willpower. It's investing in your team so you're not the only one holding the standard.
The biggest myth about my job: That it's just about cooking. My role is as much about negotiation, forecasting, supply chain strategy, and team development as it is about flavor. The food is the heart — but the structure behind it is what allows it to scale and succeed.
The hill I'll die on: Quality always wins. Ingredients matter. Technique matters. Standards matter. Guests can taste integrity, even if they can't articulate it. Cutting corners eventually shows up somewhere — and I'd rather do it right the first time.
My non-negotiable: Respect — in the kitchen, in partnerships, and in leadership. Kitchens can be intense, but intensity never justifies disrespect. The best results come from teams that feel valued and heard.
The moment I knew I belonged in this industry: When I realized that food was more than execution — it was connection. The first time I saw how a thoughtfully crafted dish could create emotion, I understood that this industry isn't just about feeding people. It's about creating experiences that stay with them. That's when I knew this was where I was meant to build my life's work.
About Cherryh Cansler
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