7:30am - 11:30am

Two different hikes will be offered by our professional guides: one for the more fitness-oriented hiker seeking a unique outdoor workout and one for the more leisurely hiker looking for an up close and personal tour of the desert's beauty. 

7:30am - 11:30am

Climb on board in an open-air Jeep and experience the beauty and serenity of Arizona's Sonoran Desert on this guided tour. Learn about the spectacular trails from a genuine cowboy guide.

7:30am - 11:00am

How is your competitive energy? Test it out with pickleball, one of America’s fastest growing sports. Participate in a tournament on the new pickleball courts at the JW Marriott. Winners will take home a cash prize!

A Think Tank, Round Table style discussion with executive leaders from top FSR brands.  Hear key insights and solutions around hot industry topics like 3rd Party delivery, New Technologies, Supply Chain Updates, New Markets and Developments, Labor Challenges (possible effects of AB 1228) and how each of these areas are impacting this sector.  

Join Restaurant Business Executive Editor, Lisa Jennings, and Nancy Kruse, President of The Kruse Company for an engaging think tank style session as they dive into a lunch time discussion all about the menu!  In an era where a menu is more than a list of signature dishes but a strategic (brand) tool to maximize profitability, it is important for every operator to understand how to navigate the evolving culinary landscape and the pivotal role technology will play in this space as we move forward.  Hear key insights from top operator leaders on how they are leveraging menu trends and tech advancements to catapult their business.  Leave this session with new ideas and actionable takeaways to drive greater profitability from your greatest restaurant tool!  

This social impact mini session will highlight the extraordinary partnership the restaurant industry has had with No Kid Hungry over the years and their mission to end childhood hunger. Together our industry has raised nearly $120 million to feed kids in need!  Hear from Sara Jamshidi and Barry McGowan as they share exciting news and details about some pivotal and transformational initiatives on the horizon. 

Technomic will discuss its outlook for the market, how the current operating environment represents return to a new normal and how menu pricing and other trends could impact the growth outlook for the year.

Restaurant Business presents the award to the 2024 Restaurant Leader of the Year and hosts a fireside chat.

Ready to uncover “hot off the press” digital buying secrets from over 1,000 quick-service consumers that can make or break your success in the QSR world? Join us for an electrifying session where we peel back the curtain on digital consumer shifts shaping the future of QSR survival.

Led by Tillster’s CMO, Hope Neiman, we’re diving headfirst into the heart of consumer behavior, revealing the digital buying preferences from pre-Covid to now that hold the key to your QSR's survival.

From mobile ordering and loyalty to the demand for seamless digital experiences, we'll shine a spotlight on the trends and insights driving today's consumers to click "order now." But we won't stop there. We're here to arm you with the knowledge and strategies you need to thrive in this digital jungle.

Whether you're a seasoned QSR pro or a fresh-faced newcomer, buckle up for an informative session through the world of digital consumer preferences. Because in today's fast-paced digital landscape, it's adapt or become yesterday's news. Don't miss out on your chance to transform your QSR and secure your spot in the digital future.

See you there!

**Disclaimer – This session will be hosted by a real live human.**

There’s a lot of hullabaloo about how ChatGPT, Natural Language Processing and Generative AI is changing the way we conduct our daily work lives. But how many of you have actually experienced that in your day-to-day? Have you really used the tool to add efficiency to your workday, or just played around with it as a tool to write Snoop Dogg lyrics? 

If you’ve been meaning to check out ChatGPT or to start using it at work – this is your invitation to the future. This session will break down what ChatGPT is (and isn’t), explain how to use the tool most effectively (with specific restaurant leadership use cases), and send you home motivated to start integrating the tool into your daily work-life.

Technology has influenced loyalty programs to continuously focus on selling to customers with a reliance on offers, and discounts. However, as technology has been increasing, humanity has been decreasing. That shif has placed a new imperative on using relationship marketing capabilities in your technology to enhance customer experiences and build stronger connections.

Understanding the differences between loyalty program design and relationship marketing program design will enable you to tailor your strategies to really engage customers, drive loyalty, and maximize long-term success.

Restaurants are sitting on a wealth of data, and they're now turning to AI to unlock its full potential. Recent studies reveal that the industry is gearing up for increased investment in AI this year. But what specific areas and use cases are in focus? What’s the return on investment and reliability? Our expert panelists will tackle these questions, offering practical applications and insights into how AI will make hospitality businesses smarter, more productive, and more guest-centric.

What trends became a reality, and which didn't pan out? In this interactive forum a panel of food service leaders and the audience will look at past and future trends and influences to vote on which trends impacted the restaurant and hospitality industry. The audience will participate in a live feedback and survey responding to the topics to help decide how restaurant leaders can affect or improve changing trend of all. In the end the audience will decide what are the most impactful trends defining the food service industry from the categories: Workforce, Supply Chain/Procurement, and Culinary/Operations.

The restaurant industry has witnessed a substantial transformation, with a growing emphasis on leveraging guest insights to drive growth. Data has emerged as the lifeline and the bridge between restaurant brands and their guests. With the right data (zero-party, first-party, third-party), restaurant brands can analyze and strategize on how to effectively reach all their in-market customers. This, coupled with identity and activation solutions, allows brands to personalize experiences across channels, tailoring them to guest interactions and ultimately fostering long-term engagement. Join us alongside McDonald's to explore how they've utilized their data to guide omnichannel and loyalty activities, cultivating lasting relationships with their fans. 

Talk Track: 
•    Personalization: Applying data to enhance segmentation and deliver personalized, omnichannel experiences; Enhancing data to unlock deeper understanding of guests
•    Fulfillment: Expanding data and channel strategy for engagement growth; Integrating emerging digital channels (e.g., digital ordering experience & delivery apps) that aligns w/ KPIs
•    Loyalty/Engagement: Exploring and utilizing new initiatives like gamification and tiering for increased program engagement. 

While the media hypes shiny objects (AI, automation, robotics etc.), the smartest of brands know that one thing is key to increasing efficiency, sales, and loyalty—the data. 

Hear why two of the industry’s most savvy technology trailblazers—Doug Cook, CTO at Jack in the Box & Nandu Gandhi, CTO at GoTo Foods—have rooted their digital transformation strategy in a unified commerce platform that prioritizes data. Key takeaways will include:

• True definition of a unified platform 
• How to transition your organization and teams to platform thinking
• Economic benefits of unified omni-channel management

4:30pm - 5:30pm

This lively “musical chair” style session will drive tangible insights around key industry hot topics. A series of short format panel discussions will be fueled by questions to top restaurant leaders who will help address key industry challenges and provide thoughtful ideas for the best solutions.

4 fast-paced solution driven panel discussions focusing on different topics:

• Ground-Breaking Growth
• Meeting the Moment - Leading with Possibility
• Impactful Innovation
• Technology for the Future

This quick format panel discussion topic will highlight topics around Innovative Growth Strategies, Unconventional Expansion, Emerging Markets, Finance, Franchising, Brand Development and more.  A look at chains new and old who are combatting various challenges to add new locations and cater to today's consumers. 

Hear from best-in-class leaders and how they turn challenges into opportunities to shape their organizations to focus on possibility and futureproofing.

Operators will highlight Menu Development, Culinary Trends, LTOs, Sustainability, Supply Chain, and more during this quick format panel discussion!

A quick format discussion with top operators focusing on three pillars: Data Management, “Unified Commerce” for True Omnichannel, and Productivity.

Join an interactive think tank with best-in-class executives for a deep dive on building brand culture and how today’s leaders turn challenges into opportunities. The group will discuss how to shape teams focused on possibility, continuing the topical conversation from the General Session. Led by Sarah Lockyer, President, Elliot Leadership Institute, PepsiCo Foodservice, and Informa Connect Editorial, you’ll walk away with essential strategies to future-proof your organization by intentionally leading with possibility.

During this interactive session, top operators, the McLane Company team, and the Informa Connect Editorial team will continue topical conversations from General Session with a deeper dive discussion around Innovative Growth Strategies, Unconventional Expansion, Emerging Markets, Finance, Franchising, Brand Development and more.

Hear firsthand from top brands as they discuss their strategies for unlocking growth. This panel discussion explores how the right technology and partners lead to successfully unlocking scale, continually innovating, tackling change management, and delivers valuable ROI.

For today’s restaurants, efficiency is critical. Managers need systems that eliminate distractions and empower them to focus on long-term, strategic initiatives that drive sustainable profitability and growth. In this session, we’ll explore how restaurant leaders can implement tools that allow managers to focus on store-level performance and profit by using the stacks of data they already produce to fuel sales forecasting, AI-driven invoice management, and intelligent task management to foster better, faster decision-making.

Cut through the AI hype and noise with WINGSTOP, NVIDIA & WWT DIGITAL. Join us to learn how restaurants brands can turn AI into ROI.​
 

"AI at the Table" invites restaurant leaders to a practical panel discussion on how restaurant brands can drive growth and operational efficiency with AI. We’ll discuss how to prioritize AI use cases while accounting for your technology and data maturity.
 

Key takeaways for the audience will include:

• How to prepare your business, data and technology for AI success
• How to practically balance speed, cost and business impact
• AI innovations that will drive business impact for Restaurants

In this session, you'll hear from Nick Patrick (CEO at Radar, the leading geofencing platform) and Sergio Pérez (Senior Director of Omnichannel at Bojangles). They'll discuss trends in digital transformation and vendor selection, and how Bojangles is taking advantage of these trends to accelerate growth, increase efficiency, and deliver innovative customer experiences across mobile and web.

In our 2023 Restaurant Operations Report, respondents shared that stores are insufficiently staffed—either understaffed or overstaffed—for 38% of shifts in any given week. With the added challenges of complicated labor laws and minimum wage hikes, it’s no wonder that more than half indicated they plan to invest in labor scheduling technology in the coming year. 
Join us to hear how top restaurant chains navigate these challenges and put themselves in a position to grow and succeed in today’s complex labor environment. Our prestigious panel of operations leaders will share the best practices their organizations are using right now to manage minor laws, fair workweek laws, and overtime and penalty pay, all while optimizing schedules in order to compensate for rising labor costs and continued staffing shortages.

Get ready to savor the wisdom of trailblazing CEOs in an exclusive panel discussion focused on leadership excellence. Join us as these visionaries dish out their top leadership tips, candid stories of triumphs and setbacks, and invaluable insights into what it takes to lead a thriving restaurant company in today's dynamic market.
Our panelists represent a diverse array of brands and business models. Through lively discussion and personal anecdotes, they'll serve up a smorgasbord of strategies for effective leadership, from inspiring and motivating teams to making tough decisions and driving innovation. Come thirsty for knowledge and leave nourished with actionable insights to elevate your leadership game and take your restaurant to new heights of success.

The rapid emergence of innovative restaurant technology has operators eyes wide open about its lasting impact on customer and employee experience. As pressure mounts to augment same-store sales, entrepreneurs are transforming the playing field for digital growth by moving beyond just delivery. DoorDash will moderate an insightful discussion between Taco Bell, Wingstop, and Technomic executives where we'll unpack successful restaurant technology strategies currently in market and nascent growth opportunities.

During this interactive session, top operators, the KraftHeinz Away From Home Foodservice team, and the Informa Connect Editorial team will continue topical conversations from General Session with a deeper dive discussion around Menu Development, Culinary Trends, LTOs, Sustainability, and more.

During this interactive session, top operators, the NCR VOYIX team, and the Informa Connect Editorial team will continue topical conversations from General Session with a deeper dive discussion around Data Management, “Unified Commerce” for True Omnichannel, and Productivity.   

Today’s customers want what they want, when they want it. They interact with companies across websites, apps, social media channels, physical stores, and more. At the same time, each brand is vying for their attention and business. In today’s omnichannel environment, on-demand delivery has become a crucial tool for restaurant operators to acquire new customers and build loyalty among their regulars. Learn the on-demand delivery approaches you can take to nail last mile delivery to increase your bottom line and win over customers. 

Innovative brands are harnessing the power of data integration to boost effectiveness and build genuine connections with the next generation of consumers. In this session, we'll explore how emerging brands can keep up with their larger-budget counterparts. Our panel will discuss the challenges of turning first- and third-party data into relevant traffic-driving solutions while keeping the guest at the center. By the end of this session, you will possess the knowledge to use data to make informed decisions, leveraging actionable insights on strategies that effectively resonate with the modern consumer.

Join Grimaldi’s Pizzeria Director of Marketing, Pamela Nedwetzky and Paytronix Chief Revenue Officer, Charles Gray, for an insightful session around the highs and lows of rebuilding a legacy guest engagement program. 

In this talk, Pamela and Charles will explore the strategic initiatives that Grimaldi’s implemented to enhance their original VIP Club experience. You’ll learn the math behind developing a profitable loyalty program, how to ensure guest buy-in when changing consumer-driven programs, plus ways to incorporate new technologies such as the use of personalized marketing to create automated feedback loops, and how to create a more intimate and rewarding customer experience. This session is a must-attend for anyone interested in improving the consistency of customer engagement and community involvement for brand success.  

We'll uncover how to seamlessly connect the off-premise guest journey across online ordering, loyalty, and catering, addressing the critical challenge of creating a cohesive digital experience. Learn how multi-unit restaurants are utilizing guest data for better engagement and converting one-time orders into repeat business, all while tapping into marketing integrations, and leveraging CRM for catering growth.

DTiQ is shining a light on drive-thru trends and data that are delivering efficiency plus a unique and consistent positive guest experience. Hear about use cases and technology that can help you grow your drive-thru performance.

Explore the latest industry insights and tools in next generation customer engagement and online food ordering and delivery that can help create more visibility for restaurants’ business and boost sales. Learn how to transform your restaurant’s delivery and customer feedback to take back control of your own customer data, lower fees, and create a more seamless and superior customer experience.

Hear from fellow restaurant operators who know first hand the challenges and triumphs that come when trying to retain customers, generate loyalty and optimize their online ordering and delivery. Leave with tangible tactics to empower your digital journey.

Join Stacey Pool, CMO at Noodles & Company, in conversation with Mastercard about her approach to reimagining how the fast casual concept goes to market. By evolving both their MarTech stack and team culture to embrace smarter decision-making, Stacey’s team transformed their loyalty program into the bright light of their business – so much so that they’ve been able to dramatically reduce the scale of discounts offered while simultaneously increasing transactions and engagement.

Stacey will be joined by Phil McGahey, VP Loyalty Sales at Mastercard Data & Services, for an exploration of three areas Noodles used data to evaluate success: pricing, menu changes and loyalty. You’ll walk away with concrete advice around how to think outside of the box, build a holistic technology stack, build a data-driven culture, and create a truly engaged audience.

Discover how Fourth, the leading restaurant software company, is revolutionizing prime cost management through artificial intelligence. In a panel discussion led by Fourth's CEO, Clinton Anderson, industry leaders from top restaurant brands such as TGI Fridays, Buffalo Wild Wings, Arby's, and the like will share their experiences and insights on leveraging AI to tame prime costs. Learn about the latest advancements in AI and how our panelists are using this technology to stay ahead of the competition. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into the future of technology.

If the post pandemic world has taught us anything, brands must be more innovative and tech savvy than before to stay relevant.  The Eatertainment category was greatly affected during the shutdown, but they are coming back on top with a wave of exciting concepts while tapping into new markets. 

This lightening round hot seat style session will feature top restaurant leaders who are taking Eatertainment to the next level with trend forward experiences, technology advances and unique hospitality.  Each mini one-on-one interview will provide insightful stories about their path to success, business focused ideas, and possible future plans. Hear about the competing needs of the modern consumers quest for a balance of entertainment and value driven dining options. 

Get up close and personal with the founder of the first multi-channel lifestyle company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, she is an entrepreneur, bestselling author of 99 to date lifestyle books and Emmy award winning television show host. 

Hear topline insights from our moderators who will provide key takeaways from the continued Food 4 Thought Power Talk ‘deeper dive’ discussions that took place during Innovation Forums.

New Roles, New Goals - Leaders who have recently been named ‘new’ CEOs of Iconic Brands

This lightning style session will feature two top restaurant leaders who will interview each other to address some engaging questions about their businesses and discuss important industry hot topics. Hear enlightening stories about their path to the head of the table, and their balance to stay relevant to their brands while inserting a bit of their own secret sauce! 

The Data, Facts, and Details you need to know about the Fast-Food Wage increase in California and what it could mean for the future of your business.  Hear from top industry leaders on the front line who will share their insights.  This is a discussion you won’t want to miss.

Harnessing the power of athletes as potential partners can pay off when positioned right! In this marketing focused session, hear key insights (and some fun stories) from top restaurant operators that have played the field and hit it out of the park with unique collaborations to leverage the influence of talent to enhance customer experience and engagement.