Summit Catalog

Blank

Blank

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

Geographic Responsibilities: Nationwide

Number of Locations: 16-75

Budgetary Oversight: +$1,000,000

Top Business Challenges: Integrating data lake across multiple channels. Personalized marketing

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