Featured Sessions

Be inspired and awed by the industry icons, celebrated figures, and innovative thinkers we’re bringing to the Show. 

Keynote


Sunday, May 21, 2023 - 2:00 p.m. CST  - Grand Ballroom, S100

Top restaurant visionaries Danny Meyer and Pinky Cole to take the stage! 


Danny and Pinky’s paths first crossed when Pinky collaborated with a Harlem Shake Shack location in 2021, for a one-time “SluttyShack” offer. Danny saw first-hand the impact of Pinky’s work—not only evidenced by the long customer lines, but also in her ingenuity and leadership—and has since became an investor and mentor. Pinky has built an empire with Slutty Vegan and it is considered an industry game changer, having grown revenues to $4 million within the first six months of the first brick and mortar restaurant opening. 

Now they’re here to inspire you! Danny, one of the most revered and influential industry leaders, and Pinky, one of today’s most successful restaurateurs, will share their vast restaurant expertise, business prowess, commitment to creating strong teams, as well as their philanthropic and community initiatives that have made them industry mainstays. 

Michelle Korsmo, President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association, will join Pinky and Danny on stage to discuss some of today’s biggest opportunities and issues impacting the broad foodservice landscape. Michelle will also share a strategic industry outlook showcasing the incredible work being done across the association to advocate for and advance the foodservice industry. 

Keynote speaker

Danny Meyer

Founder & Executive Chairman, Union Square Hospitality Group

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Pinky Cole

CEO and Founder, Slutty Vegan, ATL and Philanthropist

KEYNOTE moderator

Michelle Korsmo

President & Chief Executive Officer, National Restaurant Association 

Featured Session with Technomic 

Chart Your Course: Traversing What’s Next for the Restaurant Industry


Monday, May 22, 2023 – 1:00 p.m. CST - Grand Ballroom, S100

Embark on a journey through the future of the restaurant industry. From labor, menu trends, innovation, to industry growth and more, in this highly interactive session you’ll take the helm and decide what expert insights leaders from Technomic and Winsight Media, along with top industry operators, will explore to help you and your business now. So, don your best adventure hat as YOU get to choose which topics are covered. Don’t worry, we’ll be sure to leave time for your most pressing questions as well!

 speaker

Lynn Blashford

Chief Marketing Officer, White Castle

SPEAKER

Kevin Boehm

Co-Founder, Boka Restaurant Group

 Speaker

Donna Hood Crecca

Principal, Technomic

Speaker

Peter Romeo

Director of Digital Content, Foodservice Group, Winsight Media

Moderator

Joe Pawlak

Managing Principal, Technomic