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Dairy Queen's marketing EVP featured keynote at Restaurant Franchising Innovation Summit

Early bird registration for the event ends Friday, Dec. 18.

December 17, 2015

Dairy Queen's EVP of marketing is just one of many c-level executives who will be sharing his business strategies March 29-31, 2016, at theRestaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit, a new event targeted to franchising and technology executives in the restaurant space.

Early bird registration for the event ends Friday, Dec. 18.

The goal of the summit, produced by Networld Media Group, is to help franchisors be more progressive in many areas of their businesses to attract both investors and customers, particularly digital natives and millennials.

"We are so excited to have DQ's Barry Westrum as our closing keynote," said Cherryh Cansler, managing editor of Networld's foodservice and retail publications, including FastCasual.com, QSRweb.com and PizzaMarketplace.com. "I know attendees will learn a lot from Barry as he discusses his experiences with innovating a 75-year-old brand to resonate with a new generation of younger consumers."

Specifically, Westrum will share how DQ has driven sales growth to outpace the industry with best practices and case studies behind its new "Fan Food, Not Fast Food" marketing campaign and product launches such as DQ Bakes! and $5 Buck Lunch.

Andrew Gruel, CEO and founder of Slapfish Restaurant Group, and co-host of a FYI's "Say It To My Face," will provide the event's opening keynote.

Other speakers confirmed thus far include:

• Connie E. Alires, dir. of rranchise development, Which Wich
• Laura Rea Dickey, CIO, Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants
• Paul Hicks, SVP, operation services and new concept development, Corner Bakery Cafe
• Carl Howard, president and CEO, Fazoli's
• Jeff Jackson, co-founder and president, Billy Sims BBQ
• Tim Mullany, CFO, Pie Five Pizza Co.
• Stacy Peterson, CIO, Wingstop
• James Walker, president of operations and development, Johnny Rockets

"This summit will help franchisees and franchisors work together to drive product, enhance customer experience innovation, improve new franchise development and become early adopters of new systems, equipment and technologies designed for today's business success," Cansler said.