Wells Fargo and Technomic will combine resources to profile the current environment facing the industry with a look towards future expectations. Tim Quinlan will address the U.S. economy and financial markets and provide views as to where it's going, based on past and current conditions in today’s marketplace using Wells Fargo leading economic and financial analysis. Next, Technomic will have an exclusive look at the most trusted global market foodservice data, presented by Patrick Noone and Joe Pawlak. They will reveal the latest industry sales data and over-arching trends that span the restaurant space and that are fueling industry growth. This session will review the top performers in the annual Technomic Top 1,500 chain restaurant brands; offer exclusive data on a snapshot of monthly sales performance for the top 200 chains utilizing Transaction Insights; and feature consumer and menu-based insights that are driving success for industry growth and leading players. In a bonus for RLC attendees, Wells Fargo will make the SOI study available to all!

Greg Creed jokes that’s he just your typical Australian selling Mexican, Italian and down-home Southern food to Americans.  Under Creed’s direction, Yum! Brands—the world’s largest restaurant company—has rejuvenated KFC and Pizza Hut while continuing to extend Taco Bell’s daunting lead in the quick-service Mexican market. Consumers have embraced the brands because of their constant stream of head-turning new products and off-beat marketing. Investors see one of the best-performing and attractive companies in the business.  It’s easy to understand why he was chosen by the editors of Restaurant Business as the 2019 Restaurant Leader of the Year.  Following the Award presentation, Creed will share some of the how’s along with a glimpse of what’s next in a sit-down with RB’s Peter Romeo.

The dynamics of the rapidly changing work environment requires a deeper level of thinking. Executives must examine all perspectives, insights and ideas to effectively respond. Join an energizing conversation on the Impact of women and the unique solutions they bring. 

From a new delivery app to an online ordering platform or POS upgrade, there is a seemingly constant barrage of new technology – and new tech partners – designed to help consumers connect with restaurants. If business owners are not equipped to manage these fast-paced and even faster changing trends, it could place undue strain on them. At the same time, restaurants are contending with exciting, evolving trends within the off-premise space that could benefit both operators and their partners, as delivery continues to mature. Instead of the unsightly, confusing, hard-to-manage tangle of devices that’s become known as tablet hell, for example, developments are starting to roll out to create efficiencies and ease operations.

In this session, attendees will first hear from Melissa Wilson, Technomic principal, about the state of off-premise, then learn why a tech roadmap and digital strategy to ordering and off-premise is now more critical to their business success, whether or not they partner with third-party marketplaces. Consumers are continually increasing their digital activity, especially around off-premise, and an integrated plan can have a positive impact on your brand, your operations and your relationships with customers.

Sarah Thomas is a woman of many firsts – she was the first female official to ever work a major college football game, the first woman to officiate a bowl game, and the first to officiate in a Big Ten stadium. She is also the first permanent female NFL official and made post-season history during the Patriots/Chargers 2019 AFC Divisional championship by being the first woman to officiate a playoff game. Now she’s sharing essential leadership lessons from her journey to the top of a male-dominated industry and vital insights on shattering the glass ceiling in the world of professional sports that can be applied to any field or industry. As an exemplar of what’s possible if you believe, Sarah brings audiences takeaways on breaking through in your own career, from staying focused under pressure and creating change to managing work-life balance and being the best you can be. 

Artificial intelligence is rapidly shifting how businesses transform and take a digital-first approach to building unique consumer and employee experiences. The advancement of leading AI technologies such as computer vision, conversational commerce and augmented intelligence is enabling a greater understanding of consumer behavior and more powerful decisions on the front-line. 

Restaurants have an opportunity to leverage AI to meet the growing expectations of consumers who are hungry for more convenience and personalization, and management and restaurant staff who are seeking ways to more effectively achieve their business objectives.

NCR executive, Dirk Izzo, will discuss the latest technology trends and present use case scenarios for how restaurant operators can leverage AI to drive new growth, capture the loyalty of consumers and achieve greater efficiency.

The only officer in the history of the CIA to rise from entry-level employee to director, Dr. Gates has consistently been a successful leader of change throughout an exceptional career. In this candid, inspiring presentation based on his book A Passion for Leadership, Dr. Gates draws on years of dedicated leadership at the CIA, Texas A&M University and the Department of Defense to offer wisdom and encouragement to leaders on how to successfully implement change and transform their organizations. In a time of change, companies have to change all the time to be competitive. How do you recognize and preserve the tradition and culture that made a company great, and determine what is in the way? Assessing the failures of big institutions, Dr. Gates offers innovative and practical advice, sharing personal anecdotes and experiences as most pertinent to the RLC audience.