Fast Casual Executive Summit News & Media

5 concepts compete for The Perfect Pitch 2024 title

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Five fledgling concepts will vie for The Perfect Pitch title and a prize on Oct. 14 at the Fast Casual Executive Summit in Denver, Colorado.

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How old-school relationship building fuels catering sales

by Terry Matthews — Managing Partner, Off Premises Growth Academy

Until the AI overlords take over, our economy is still driven by human people making human decisions. The catering opportunity not only wants but relies on a…

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Why your restaurant needs catering specialists

by Terry Matthews — Managing Partner, Off Premises Growth Academy

Catering operations should never be a secondary function. Someone must own it.

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Wonder SVP keynoting Fast Casual Executive Summit

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Jason Rusk, SVP of operations for Wonder and a former Red Robin executive, will discuss growth and leadership in the evolving world of fast casual restaurants.

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Fast Casual reveals 2024 food tour stops

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Attendees will visit three fast casuals, where they'll taste food and chat with leadership.

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Subway, Jason's Deli, Big Chicken headlining The Restaurant Catering Workshop

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Before a brand can deploy a catering-order management system and supporting technologies, it must align its business framework, business logic, workflow and…

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Breaking bread and biases: Why restaurants (still) need more female voices

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The Fast Casual Executive Summit is hosting the panel "Breaking Bread and Biases: Empowering Women for Fast Casual Leadership," featuring women leaders…

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FastCasual seeking nominations for 2024 Perfect Pitch

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Nominations close June 30.

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FastCasual producing restaurant catering workshop with Erle Dardick’s OPGA

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The Restaurant Catering Workshop will provide a blueprint for restaurant operators focused on catapulting catering sales.

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Dave's Hot Chicken, Biscuit Belly leaders share operations advice

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

Top restaurant brand leaders at Dave’s Hot Chicken and Biscuit Belly provide insight on everything from growing a brand to smart hiring approaches during a…

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Assessing restaurant tech stack saves money, reduces management tasks

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

Restaurant technology is great but sometimes a brand can amass a tech stack that’s proving to be expensive and hard to manage. Learn how minimization and…

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Embracing AI without killing the restaurant budget

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

Leaders from Five Guys, BurgerFi, Papa Johns and Primanti Bros. shared how their brands are embracing AI without breaking the bank in a Fast Casual Executive…

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Rethinking restaurant customer engagement, loyalty strategies

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

A panel talk on loyalty programs at the recent Fast Casual Executive Summit featured Bob Andersen, president of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill; Jon Asher…

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WOWorks, Craveworthy Brands, Cousins Maine Lobster execs talk menu optimization, strategy

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Adam Terranova, senior director of growth for WOWorks, Jeremy Theisen, chief growth and development officer at Craveworthy Brands and Annie Tselikis, director…

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Capriotti’s, Wing Zone, Swamp Dawg, Goodcents execs talk growth with lean teams

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Restaurant labor shortages have become a pervasive issue, affecting both corporate and store-level operations. Three restaurant executives discussed labor…

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Haven Hot Chicken wins The Perfect Pitch at the Fast Casual Executive Summit 2023

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Haven Hot Chicken won The Perfect Pitch concept competition at the Fast Casual Executive Summit in Louisville, Kentucky on Oct. 9.

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How diversity became Shake Shack's key ingredient

by Bradley Cooper — Editor, Connect Media

Shake Shack set big goals for diversity. At the Fast Casual Executive Summit, Idris Stover, director of diversity, equity inclusion and engagement, discussed…

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Scooter's Coffee exec: 'The whole point of innovation is growth'

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Nathan Lester, senior director, drive-thru innovations for Scooter’s Coffee, spoke about pairing innovation and growth during the keynote address kicking off…

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Introducing FastCasual's 2023 Perfect Pitchers

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Founders of Haven Hot Chicken, Mahana Fresh, Pizzawala, Pucci Brothers Fresh Italian and Sankranti Indian Kitchen will take the stage on Oct. 9 to pitch their…

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FastCasual to honor 2023 Hall of Famers

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Each leader will attend the summit to accept an award and share leadership experience, strategies and a few lessons learned along the way.

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