Summit Catalog
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Darien Bates - CTO - &pizza
Geographic Responsibilities: East Coast
Number of Locations: 16-75
Budgetary Oversight: +$1,000,000
Top Business Challenges: Managing data integrations and orchestration across best in class solutions. Ensuring that costs are effectively managed as tech solutions proliferate within operations.
Solomon Choi - CEO - 16 Handles
Chris Birkinshaw - CEO - Aloha Poke Co.
Geographic Responsibilities: North America
Number of Locations: 15-30
Budgetary Oversight: Undisclosed
Top Business Challenges: TBD
Andy Mulherin - Senior Manager, Operations Support - Aloha Poke Co.
Geographic Responsibilities: North America
Number of Locations: 15-30
Budgetary Oversight: Undisclosed
Top Business Challenges: TBD
Marc Johnson - VP of Marketing - Aloha Poke Co.
Geographic Responsibilities: North America
Number of Locations: 15-30
Budgetary Oversight: Undisclosed
Top Business Challenges: TBD
Luck Sarabhayavanija - CEO - Ani Ramen House
Geographic Responsibilities: East Coast
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight:< than $500 000
Top Business Challenges: Leadership, BOH, FOH, Growth
Afshin Shirazi - SVP, Operations - Ani Ramen House
Geographic Responsibilities: East Coast
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight:< than $500 000
Top Business Challenges: TBD
Israel Jiles - COO - Ani Ramen House
Geographic Responsibilities: East Coast
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight:< than $500 000
Top Business Challenges: TBD
William DiPaola - COO - Ballard Brands
Geographic Responsibilities: Global
Number of Locations: 76-300
Budgetary Oversight: $1 million Plus
Top Business Challenges: Automation, POS , Digital Signage
Roberta Frierson - SVP, Information Technology - Bar Louie
Geographic Responsibilities: Nation Wide
Number of Locations: 16-75
Budgetary Oversight: $500 000 to $1 million
Top Business Challenges: POS & Analytics
Nick Bucciero - Marketing Director - Bareburger
Geographic Responsibilities: Global
Number of Locations: 30-50
Budgetary Oversight: < than $500 000
Top Business Challenges:Regaining our Dine-in audience that we may have lost in 2020 due to COVID. Learn how to reengage with those guests and start the positive trend towards filling our restaurants again.
Misha Levin - Culinary Director - Bareburger
Geographic Responsibilities: East Coast
Number of Locations: 30-50
Budgetary Oversight: < than $500 000
Top Business Challenges: Upkeep with current restaurant trends, Rebuilding the dine-in business post covid, Supply Chain and Food Supply Shortages
Jeff Shapiro - Director of Development & Facilities - BBQ Holdings
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 76-300
Budgetary Oversight: Undisclosed
Top Business Challenges: TBD
Joshua Halpern - CEO - Big Chicken
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight: < than $500 000
Top Business Challenges: Supply Chain & Labor
Sam Stanovich - SVP Franchising - Big Chicken
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight: < than $500 000
Top Business Challenges: Supply Chain & Labor
Jason McEachern - CIO - Big Chicken
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight: < than $500 000
Top Business Challenges: Currently building out tech stack, Customer engagement, Tech stack admin, Scalability
David Jones - CEO & Co-Founder - Blazing Onion Burger Company
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight: < than $500 000
Top Business Challenges: Launching a new website and loyalty program. Maximizing mobile ordering to drive customer engagement. Navigating challenges of working with technology partners as a small company. Looking to get a loyalty app built and sync with online ordering
Liam Farrow - VP Digital - Bluestone Lane
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 16-75
Budgetary Oversight: Undisclosed
Top Business Challenges: Continuing to innovate in our space of bridging a service led operation underpinned by digital experience
Tom Selementi - SVP Retail - Bluestone Lane
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 16-75
Budgetary Oversight: Undisclosed
Top Business Challenges: Continuing to innovate in our space of bridging a service led operation underpinned by digital experience
Hannah Lopez - Marketing Director - Bolay
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 16-75
Budgetary Oversight: $1 million+
Top Business Challenges: TBD
Mike Harper - COO - Bolay
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 16-75
Budgetary Oversight: $20 million+
Top Business Challenges: Staffing, New market entry, Sales and Labor Forecasting and/or Budgets
Chris ives - CFO - Bubbakoo's Burritos
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 76-300
Budgetary Oversight: $500 000 to $1 million
Top Business Challenges: Supply chain, Labor, Real Estate, Brand recognition – local marketing efforts
Ben Grannick - Director of Marketing - Bubbakoo's Burritos
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 76-300
Budgetary Oversight: $500 000 to $1 million
Top Business Challenges: Supply chain, Labor, Real Estate, Brand recognition – local marketing efforts
Kerry Trudeau - Systems Manager - Buddy's Pizza
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 16-75
Budgetary Oversight: <$500,000
Top Business Challenges: Staffing, supply chain, inflation
Daniel Meretsky - VP / Head of Technology - Ciccio Restaurant Group
Geographic Responsibilities: North America
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight: $1 million+
Top Business Challenges: Adding 5 new locations by end of 2022, Customer Loyalty, MDM / Technology ERP
Brian Howenstein - COO - ClusterTruck
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight: $500,000 – $1 Million
Top Business Challenges: Supply Chain, Off-Premise Marketing
Ryan Bowersox - CEO - Cultivate Food and Coffee
Geographic Responsibilities: North America
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight: Undisclosed
Top Business Challenges: Releasing franchising model early 2023. Working on menu updates/innovations. Vertical integration of your supply chain to avoid product/stock shortages
Laura Gunnels - President of Marketing and Branding - Cultivate Food and Coffee
Geographic Responsibilities: North America
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight: Undisclosed
Top Business Challenges: Releasing franchising model early 2023. Working on menu updates/innovations. Vertical integration of your supply chain to avoid product/stock shortages
Blair Burkey - VP of Operations / Director of Corporate Stores - Cultivate Food and Coffee
Geographic Responsibilities: North America
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight: $1 million Plus
Top Business Challenges: Supply Chain navigation, localized relationship/how to with farms (suppliers), like minded business networking
Dan Cardamone - Director of Marketing - Digital Experience - Culver's
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 701 or more
Budgetary Oversight: Undisclosed
Top Business Challenges: TBD
David Crocker - VP of Marketing - Dave's Hot Chicken
Geographic Responsibilities: Global
Number of Locations: 50-100
Budgetary Oversight: $1 million Plus
Top Business Challenges: Building awareness of newly opened. Keeping top-of-mind awareness. CRM/Loyalty that doesn’t include price discounts and non-intrusive customer communications
Srishti Handa - Marketing Manager - Dave's Hot Chicken
Geographic Responsibilities: Global
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight: $1 million Plus
Top Business Challenges: Building awareness of newly opened. Keeping top-of-mind awareness. CRM/Loyalty that doesn’t include price discounts and non-intrusive customer communications
Erin Levzow - VP of MarTech - Del Taco
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 701+
Budgetary Oversight: $1 million Plus
Top Business Challenges: CRM one look, Data usage, Time and resources
Trish Giordano - Chief Sales and Marketing Officer - Earl Enterprises
Geographic Responsibilities: Global
Number of Locations: 100+
Budgetary Oversight: $1 million+
Top Business Challenges: TBD
Jessica Wegener-Beyer - CMO - eegee's
Geographic Responsibilities: North America
Number of Locations: 30-50
Budgetary Oversight: $1 million+
Top Business Challenges: We are a growth brand looking to grow outside of AZ and looking to see any marketing solutions to help enter new markets. Increasing the guest experience and loyalty programs
Brian Yahn - VP IT - eegee's
Geographic Responsibilities: North America
Number of Locations: 30-50
Budgetary Oversight: $1 million+
Top Business Challenges: loyalty, digital spend, and customer experience
Carolyn Schultz - Social Media Marketing Manager - Epic Kitchens
Geographic Responsibilities: North America
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight: Undisclosed
Top Business Challenges: Geotargeted marketing, expansion, agencies
Gabrielle De Louche - Chief of Staff / Tech Lead - Epic Kitchens
Geographic Responsibilities: North America
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight: Undisclosed
Top Business Challenges: Geotargeted marketing, expansion, agencies
Albano Latifi - Franchise Owner - Fat Shack
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight: <$500,000
Top Business Challenges: Staffing and personalized marketings
Jodie Conrad - CMO- Fazoli's
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 76-300
Budgetary Oversight: $1 million +
Top Business Challenges: Inflation – impact on consumers. Restaurant labor staffing/costs. Supply chain – product availability & cost
Jay Jhun - Director, Loyalty - Focus Brands
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 701+
Budgetary Oversight: Undisclosed
Top Business Challenges: Optimizing customer experience, technology partner relationships, scaling innovation
Mike Mann - VP of Franchise Services - Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
Geographic Responsibilities: West Coast
Number of Locations: 76-300
Budgetary Oversight: $500,000 – $1 Million
Top Business Challenges: Staffing, training, ensuring ops excellence through growth
Allie Martinez - Digital Marketing Manager - Freebirds
Geographic Responsibilities: North America
Number of Locations: 50-100
Budgetary Oversight: < than $500 000
Top Business Challenges: Segmentation (Loyalty & Paid), Menu Optimization. Website Funnel, Paid Ads, Loyalty
Carissa De Santis - Chief Technology Officer - Friendly's/Brix Holdings
Geographic Responsibilities: Global
Number of Locations: 301-700
Budgetary Oversight: $1 million+
Top Business Challenges: TBD
Nikki Rasmussen - Director of Digital Marketing - Fuzzy's Taco Shop
Geographic Responsibilities: Global
Number of Locations: 100+
Budgetary Oversight: Undisclosed
Top Business Challenges: Attributing true ROI to digital campaigns that may drive foot traffic, Launching drive-thru/looking at automating phone orders (although low), Contactless payment
David 'Rev' Ciancio - Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer - Handcraft Burger & Brews
Geographic Responsibilities: East Coast
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight: Undisclosed
Top Business Challenges: New guest acquisition, Increased retention, Actionable insights from data
Scott Bader - Manager, Operations Measurement & Support - Inspire Brands
Geographic Responsibilities: North America
Number of Locations: 3500
Budgetary Oversight: Undisclosed
Top Business Challenges: Have analytics and dashboards set up for franchise partners – providing insight on how CMX tools operate within their location and platform – audit data
Justin Carson - Manager, Operating Systems - Inspire Brands
Geographic Responsibilities: North America
Number of Locations: 3500
Budgetary Oversight: Undisclosed
Top Business Challenges: Have analytics and dashboards set up for franchise partners – providing insight on how CMX tools operate within their location and platform – audit data
Brandy Butler - Director of Marketing - Jason's Deli
Geographic Responsibilities: North America
Number of Locations: 100+
Budgetary Oversight: $1 million+
Top Business Challenges: Data Management (and privacy)
Justin Bartek - Director of Marketing - JINYA Holdings Inc
Geographic Responsibilities: Global
Number of Locations: 30-50
Budgetary Oversight: Undisclosed
Top Business Challenges: TBD
Courtney Maxedon - VP of Interactive Marketing - Kahala Brands
Geographic Responsibilities: North America
Number of Locations: 100+
Budgetary Oversight: Undisclosed
Top Business Challenges: Data acquisition, tech integrations, data aggregation/consolidation, loyalty, off premise ordering
Steven Evans - SVP of Marketing - Kahala Brands
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 2,000+
Budgetary Oversight: $15 million+
Top Business Challenges: Data acquisition, tech integrations, data aggregation/consolidation, loyalty, off premise ordering
Kelley Whalen - Director of Marketing - Lawrence's Fish & Shrimp
Geographic Responsibilities: Central
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight: < than $500 000
Top Business Challenges: TBD
Dan Sokolik - Vice President of Marketing - Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken
Geographic Responsibilities: Central
Number of Locations: 76-300
Budgetary Oversight: $1 million+
Top Business Challenges: Internal Communications, LSM Tools, Loyalty & App refresh
Heath Hickok - Director of Off Premise Sales - Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken
Geographic Responsibilities: Central
Number of Locations: 76-300
Budgetary Oversight: $1.5 million
Top Business Challenges: Staffing and supply chain issues, Digital technology integration, Inconsistent branding at legacy stores
Chris Prucnal - McDonalds Owner Operator - McDonalds
Geographic Responsibilities: Central
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight: $1 million +
Top Business Challenges: TBD
Nate Weir - VP Culinary - Modern Restaurant Concepts
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 16-75
Budgetary Oversight: < than $500 000
Top Business Challenges: Employee Engagement & Retention; in-store traffic returning; supply chain instability vs. national growth plans
Frank Rappa - CMO - PDQ Restaurants
Geographic Responsibilities: Global
Number of Locations: 16-75
Budgetary Oversight: $1 million+
Top Business Challenges: TBD
David Bliven - Director of Technology - PDQ Restaurants
Geographic Responsibilities: Global
Number of Locations: 16-75
Budgetary Oversight: $1 million+
Top Business Challenges: TBD
Doug Stritzel - CEO/Founder - Pickleman's Franchising
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 16-75
Budgetary Oversight: $1 million+
Top Business Challenges: Drive thru technology and staffing
Ken Rice - COO - Pickleman's Franchising
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 16-75
Budgetary Oversight: $1 million+
Top Business Challenges: Drive thru technology and staffing
Caroline Niemann - Director of Marketing - Pickleman's Franchising
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 16-75
Budgetary Oversight: $1 million+
Top Business Challenges: Drive thru technology and staffing
Hailey Sohn - Director of Special Projects - Pickleman's Franchising
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 16-75
Budgetary Oversight: $1 million+
Top Business Challenges: Drive thru technology and staffing
Jayson Tipp - SVP Marketing - Pokeworks
Geographic Responsibilities: Global
Number of Locations: 16-75
Budgetary Oversight: $500 000 to $1 million
Top Business Challenges: Implementation of multichannel marketing platform and maximizing results.
John Isbell - VP, Learning and Development - Portillo's Hot Dogs, Inc
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 16-75
Budgetary Oversight: $500 000 to $1 million
Top Business Challenges: Staffing, engagement and development.
Dino Northway - Sr. Manager, Off-Premise Dining - Portillo's Hot Dogs, Inc
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 16-75
Budgetary Oversight: TBD
Top Business Challenges: TBD
Antonyo Davis - Off Premise Dining Coordinator - Portillo's Hot Dogs, Inc
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 16-75
Budgetary Oversight: TBD
Top Business Challenges: TBD
James Habisohn - Director of Technology - Protein Bar & Kitchen
Geographic Responsibilities: North America
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight: Undisclosed
Top Business Challenges: Security System Upgrade, App Refresh, CMS refresh SOC
Michael Rao - Chief Strategy Officer - Romeo's Pizza
Geographic Responsibilities: Global
Number of Locations: 50-100
Budgetary Oversight: $1 million+
Top Business Challenges: Employees, Equipment and food costs, Labor Rates, Construction Challenges
Ryan Rose - CEO - Romeo's Pizza
Geographic Responsibilities: Global
Number of Locations: 50-100
Budgetary Oversight: $1 million+
Top Business Challenges: Managing launch of 15 new locations in 2023, Strategic / Visionary solutions to leadership management staffing, Search for automation/technology solutions to rely less staff for optimized production, Optimizing unit economics and increasing individual store AUV’s
Brandon Batt - Director of People Operations - Savory Restaurant Fund
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight: $500 000 to $1 million
Top Business Challenges: Supply Chain, Restaurant Tech(HRIS, POS, Third-Party Delivery), Labor/People
Josh Boshard - COO - Savory Restaurant Fund
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight: $500 000 to $1 million
Top Business Challenges: Supply Chain, Restaurant Tech(HRIS, POS, Third-Party Delivery), Labor/People
Tommy Ballerini - Senior Manager Ops Innovation - Shake Shack
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 301-700
Budgetary Oversight: < than $500 000
Top Business Challenges: Drive Thru evolution, Digital Order Fulfillment, Guest Journey best practices, supporting the development and launch of ~60 new locations/annually
Erik Hugley - National Initiatives Lead - Shake Shack
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 301-700
Budgetary Oversight: < than $500 000
Top Business Challenges: Drive Thru evolution, Digital Order Fulfillment, Guest Journey best practices, supporting the development and launch of ~60 new locations/annually
Matthew Smith - Coordinator of Learning & Development - Sizzling Platter
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 301-700
Budgetary Oversight: $1 million+
Top Business Challenges: TBD
Jacquelyn Lobdell - Vice President Franchise Development - Slim Chickens
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight: < than $500 000
Top Business Challenges: Finding the right franchisees/talent (we sell to multi unit groups). What is the best way to spend marketing budget
Kevin Porter - Director of Sales - Stan's Donuts & Labriola Cafe
Geographic Responsibilities: Multiple
Number of Locations: 15-30
Budgetary Oversight: $1 million+
Top Business Challenges: Digital Sales, Supply Chain Management, Lead Generation
Jon Sherman - CEO - Sticky's
Geographic Responsibilities: Global
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight: $1 million+
Top Business Challenges: Integrating technology to know our customers better and streamline operations. Labor management. Food cost management. Training and development. Real estate selection. Better tech ology for recipe food costing and actual vs theoretical food costing
Leor Wolf - Chief Administrative Officer - Sticky's
Geographic Responsibilities: Global
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight: <$500,000
Top Business Challenges: Find the correct tools to use customer data more effectively – Moving 3P sales to proprietary sales
Paul Zarmati - Director of IT - Sticky's
Geographic Responsibilities: East Coast
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight: <$500,000
Top Business Challenges: TBD
Mario Carozzi - Digital Director - Subway
Geographic Responsibilities: Global
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight: $10 million Plus
Top Business Challenges: Member of the Digital / app team – so I’m looking to understand current digital challenges and solutions, Learn now trends, Solve the AI challenge: how to know and customize experiences
Julie Wade - Senior Director of Marketing - Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 100+
Budgetary Oversight:$1.5 Million
Top Business Challenges: Aggregating guest feedback, Menu management, Online ordering solutions
Ryan Durishin - Executive Vice President - TGP International
Geographic Responsibilities: Global
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight: $1 million+
Top Business Challenges: Quality supply, Staffing. Right makeup of Franchisees
Andrew Eck - VP of Marketing - The Halal Guys
Geographic Responsibilities: TBD
Number of Locations: TBD
Budgetary Oversight: TBD
Top Business Challenges: TBD
Jed Levin - Owner & GM - The Piper Inn
Geographic Responsibilities: Undisclosed
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight: $500,000 – $1 Million
Top Business Challenges: Labor, managing supply chain fluctuations, finding better economy of scale
Shawn Lalehzarian - CEO & Founder -The Red Chickz
Geographic Responsibilities: Global
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight:$1 million+
Top Business Challenges: Supply Chain
Jose Perez - Partner-The Red Chickz
Geographic Responsibilities: Global
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight:$1 million+
Top Business Challenges: Supply Chain
Nima Christensen - Co-Founder, Franchise Development - The Red Chickz
Geographic Responsibilities: Global
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight:$1 million+
Top Business Challenges: Supply Chain
Cacy Merrifield - Director of Digital Product - Wendy's
Geographic Responsibilities: North America
Number of Locations: 100+
Budgetary Oversight:$1 million+
Top Business Challenges: 3PD vs Owned – the future of off premise and delivery, Is curbside dead?, How can we increase throughput in our drive-thru during a global labor shortage.? , What are ways we can entice employees to come back to work in restaurants in a franchise model?
Shayna Smith - Digital Product Owners - Wendy's
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 701+
Budgetary Oversight: Undisclosed
Top Business Challenges: Customers and their changing preferences, How can technology and digital channels improve speed of service at restaurants, Balancing third-party delivery, and its complexities, with owned digital channels
Alex Stanek - Digital Product Owners - Wendy's
Geographic Responsibilities: North America
Number of Locations: 6000+
Budgetary Oversight:$1 million+
Top Business Challenges: Mobile App stability, Execution in the restaurant / speed of service, Digital payment
Zach Hempen - Director of Digital Marketing - Your Pie Franchising
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 76-300
Budgetary Oversight: < than $500 000
Top Business Challenges: Better understand how we can build loyalty audience overtime, increase social relevance and enhance our off-prem experience.
Christopher Smith - Co-Founder & CEO - Zunzi's Enterprises, LLC
Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide
Number of Locations: 1-15
Budgetary Oversight:$1 million+
Top Business Challenges: Supply chain and inflation