Technomic will profile the current environment facing the industry with a look toward future expectations, using the most trusted global foodservice market data and insights.   Overarching US economic and business issues will be discussed to provide context on restaurant industry impact.  Latest restaurant industry data and over-arching trends that span the restaurant space and that are fueling change as the industry recovers from the pandemic will be revealed. Coverage will include post-pandemic consumer and menu-based evolutionary factors required to drive success.  Technomic will also present its 2022 and longer term forecasts for the restaurant industry, and provide perspectives for underlying growth.

Virtual kitchens have become remarkably popular during the pandemic and have the potential to change how the industry develops and creates new concepts and generates returns on investment. This session discusses the economics and operations of virtual kitchens and how they can help operators generate sales and entrepreneurs make money fast. 

The restaurant industry lost one of its giants with the passing in March of Kent Taylor, founder and longtime CEO of Texas Roadhouse. He built a $2.4 billion restaurant empire and imbued it with a culture solid enough to throw shadows. And he did it in maverick fashion, challenging fixed industry thinking with bold nonconformity. Join his handpicked successor, current Roadhouse CEO and longtime associate Jerry Morgan, in remembering one of the most unique and capable figures ever to grace the business.

Few individuals ever become iconic enough to be known by one name – Shaq. A cultural icon, Shaquille O’Neal is best known for an NBA career spanning nearly two decades and earning him the sport’s highest honors including membership in the NBA Hall of Fame. O’Neal has since pivoted that same discipline into several businesses, including television and media, and even restaurants. As a board member of Papa John’s, he has become the brand’s ambassador and investor in nine locations, in addition to his ownership over several other franchises, including Five Guys, Auntie Anne’s, and Krispy Kreme. Dedicated to overachieving, on and off the court, Shaq joins us to share his story and the lessons he learned along the way.