Connect Food

Ready to break through the wall and push your catering growth to the next level? 📈 📢 We’re thrilled to announce that Cassie Nowlin, Regional Sales Manager at la Madeleine Bakery & Cafe, will be taking the stage at The Restaurant Catering Workshop in Arlington, TX! With over 25 years of hands-on operational experience, Cassie has been a driving force behind la Madeleine’s off-premise sales growth since joining their corporate team in 2019. Known for her data-driven strategies, collaborative mindset, and passion for community connection, Cassie was recognized as la Madeleine’s Brand Builder of the Year for 2025/26. In her panel session, "Get Unstuck: Scaling Catering Past the Plateau," Cassie and fellow industry leaders will share real-world tactics for overcoming stagnant growth and unlocking long-term profitability. What You’ll Learn: ✅ Data-Driven Retention: How to leverage customer data to turn one-time buyers into loyal, repeat clients. ✅ Self-Delivery Strategy: Proven ways to build a delivery model that protects both your brand standards and bottom line margins. ✅ Marketplace Conversion: Actionable plays for shifting third-party marketplace orders into direct, first-party customer relationships. ✅ Overcoming Plateaus: Practical steps to diagnose why your growth has stalled and how to reignite your momentum. 📅 October 6-7, 2026 📍 Arlington, TX Whether you're looking to troubleshoot an existing program or scale a multi-unit strategy, this workshop will give you the roadmap to transform your catering business into a predictable profit engine. 👉 Register today to secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/eFt2SFTW #RCW2026 #RestaurantCatering #CateringGrowth #laMadeleine #RestaurantOperations #HospitalityLeadership

Delivery is where your catering reputation is won or lost. 🚚 📢 We are thrilled to announce that Nicki Esparza, Texas Catering Partnership Specialist at Portillo's, will be taking the stage at The Restaurant Catering Workshop! With over 30 years of hands-on experience in restaurant operations, hospitality, and business development, Nicki knows that great catering goes far beyond just delivering good food. It’s about building a repeatable execution system that creates trust, protects food quality, and turns one-time orders into lifelong clients. In her session, "Deliver Like a Pro: Logistics, Packaging & Execution That Earns Reorders," Nicki will pull back the curtain on the operational standards needed to execute flawless delivery across every market. What You’ll Learn: ✅ Delivery Models: How to navigate self-delivery, hybrid models, and 3rd-party logistics effectively. ✅ On-Time Benchmarks: Setting time and operational standards that keep your kitchen and drivers running like clockwork. ✅ Seamless Comms & Tracking: Keeping your internal team and clients aligned from kitchen prep to doorstep. ✅ Setup & Accountability: Establishing clear on-site setup expectations and securing proof-of-delivery every time. ✅ Graceful Issue Recovery: How to handle unexpected friction on the road and turn mistakes into long-term trust. ✅ Packaging Standards: Packing strategies that preserve presentation, food quality, and delivery speed. 📅 When: October 6-7, 2026 📍 Where: Arlington, TX Whether you are building your off-premise channel from scratch or fine-tuning a multi-unit delivery operation, this hands-on workshop delivers the practical roadmap you need to build a high-growth catering profit engine. 👉 Don't miss out! Learn more and register today: https://lnkd.in/eFt2SFTW #RCW2026 #RestaurantCatering #CateringLogistics #Portillos #RestaurantOperations #FoodService

How do you transform the drive-thru from a standard ordering lane into a high-powered revenue engine? 🚗 📢 We’re excited to highlight Nick Schroeder, Enterprise Account Executive - Restaurants at Solink, as a featured speaker at #QSRNext on November 12, 2026! Drawing on a decade of hands-on restaurant management experience alongside five years at Solink, Nick works directly with quick-service leaders to unlock actionable insights from their existing technology—helping brands boost efficiency, elevate staff performance, and deliver better guest experiences across every location. In his session, "The Performance Drive-Thru: AI and the Future of Speed," industry experts will dive into how camera vision and AI video intelligence are replacing outdated loop timers to revolutionize the lane. Key takeaways include: ✅ Shifting from rigid embedded sensors to flexible, AI-driven software ✅ Navigating operational considerations when deploying next-gen drive-thru tech ✅ Increasing drive-thru speed, order accuracy, and throughput ✅ Reducing OpEx while boosting overall profitability and customer loyalty #QSRNext is a half-day virtual event designed specifically for QSR leaders with demanding schedules. Registration is free for restaurant owners and executives. #QSRNext #RestaurantTech #DriveThruInnovation #AI #RestaurantOperations #Solink

You’ve got the data. But do you actually know what it’s telling you? Most fast casual brands are data rich but insight poor. POS. Loyalty. Online ordering. Marketing. Spreadsheets. The data is everywhere — but the real opportunity is connecting the dots. At Fast Casual Executive Summit 2026, this panel will dig into how they’re turning disconnected data into decisions that drive revenue. 👉 Anil Bathwal, Managing Director & Executive Chef | The Kati Roll Company 👉 Srishti V. Handa, VP of Marketing - Brand and Growth | Dave's Hot Chicken 👉 Angela Johnson, CMO | Edible Brands 👉 Nicholas Meehan, Founder | Tacos Domingo 👉 Moderator: Nish Patel, CEO | Paperchase Join the discussion at Fast Casual Executive Summit 2026, Oct. 4-6 in Arlington, TX. Sign up today ➡️ https://lnkd.in/d-udzd7 #FCESummit #FastCasual #RestaurantTechnology #RestaurantMarketing #DataDriven

Grubhub moves into dine-in, betting on restaurant traffic and rewards Grubhub is expanding beyond delivery with The Drop, a dine-in rewards program launching in beta in New York City and Chicago that gives diners personalized restaurant offers and Grubhub credit for qualifying in-person purchases. By Cherryh Cansler, Publisher, FastCasual.com Read more: https://lnkd.in/e4v-gVXX #Grubhub #FastCasual #RestaurantIndustry #RestaurantTechnology #CustomerLoyalty

🚨 Time is running out! 🚨 Online registration for the Restaurant Catering Workshop 2026 closes this Friday, October 2nd! If you’re looking to build a more profitable catering operation, scale your business, and master the latest industry strategies, this is the event you can’t afford to miss. 📍 Arlington, TX 📅 October 6–7, 2026 ⏳ Deadline: Friday, Oct 2 (Prices go up at the door!) Learn directly from visionary leaders and top executives at brands like Big Chicken, Jason's Deli, Hawaiian Bros Island Grill, PINCHO, la Madeleine Bakery & Cafe, Houston TX Hot Chicken, Papa Johnss and more! Limited spots remain. Don't wait—secure your spot today and lock in the best rate! 👉 Register now: https://lnkd.in/eFt2SFTW #RCW2026 #RestaurantCatering #RestaurantIndustry #CateringStrategy #RestaurantGrowth

Want to learn how to turn offsite growth and strategic partnerships into market-leading catering sales? 🌺📈 📢 We’re excited to announce that Justin Coogan, Director of Operations at Hawaiian Bros Island Grill, will be featured at The Restaurant Catering Workshop this October in Arlington, TX! A 20-year restaurant industry veteran with 15 years in multi-unit leadership, Justin oversees 3 locations and over 125 team members. He brings a battle-tested, operator’s perspective to scaling offsite growth—having led 8 new restaurant openings, 2 market acquisitions, and driving his market to achieve system-leading catering sales. Justin will be lending his deep operational expertise as a featured leader during our General Session: Ask the Experts Roundtable Get ready for a rapid-fire Q&A session where you can sit down directly with top operators to get real, actionable answers to your toughest catering challenges. What You’ll Get Insights On: ✅ Offsite Growth Drivers: Strategic partnership plays that drive market-leading catering volume. ✅ Operator-First Scaling: How to expand catering operations through new store openings and market acquisitions without sacrificing quality. ✅ Sales & Marketing Tactics: Proven strategies to generate demand and build a repeatable customer base. ✅ Operations & Efficiency: Hands-on advice for managing teams and streamlining workflows for maximum profitability. 📅 October 6-7, 2026 📍 Arlington, TX Whether you are launching a new program, scaling a multi-unit footprint, or fine-tuning a mature catering business, this is your opportunity to pick the brains of the best in the business! 🎟️ Register today: https://lnkd.in/eFt2SFTW #RCW2026 #RestaurantCatering #HawaiianBros #RestaurantOperations #CateringGrowth

Ready to take your catering questions directly to the industry pros who’ve been in the trenches? 🍽️ 📢 We're thrilled to announce that Maureen McCarthy, Catering Sales Manager at Slim Chickens, will be featured in our "Ask the Experts Roundtable" at The Restaurant Catering Workshop this October! Starting her career waiting tables and bartending, Maureen worked her way up to General Manager before stepping into catering sales. Today, she leads the catering strategy across 10 corporate locations in Northwest Arkansas and serves on Slim Chickens’ companywide catering taskforce. She blends hands-on operational know-how with a relationship-first approach to drive real revenue growth. In the Ask the Experts Roundtable, Maureen and a panel of seasoned pros will host a rapid-fire Q&A session focused on the core pillars of scaling a successful catering channel. What You’ll Get Out of It: ✅ Sales Strategies: Proven tactics for building local relationships and turning single orders into recurring revenue. ✅ Operational Wisdom: Real-world insights on balancing daily restaurant operations with high-volume catering demands. ✅ Program Growth: Practical advice on elevating brand recognition and creating a standout guest experience at every event. ✅ Direct Q&A: Answers to your toughest catering questions in a fast-paced, interactive environment. 📅 October 6-7, 2026 📍 Arlington, TX Whether you’re just getting your catering program off the ground or looking to fine-tune a multi-unit operation, this hands-on workshop is designed to give you actionable tools you can put to work immediately. 🎟️ Save your spot today! https://lnkd.in/eFt2SFTW #RCW2026 #RestaurantCatering #SlimChickens #CateringGrowth #RestaurantOperations

Stop taking so long: 5 lessons from Bar Rescue's Jon Taffer shared five lessons for restaurant and franchise operators at the International Franchise Association event, focusing on faster execution, accountability, customer reactions, revenue growth and hiring for personality. By Cherryh Cansler, Publisher, FastCasual.com Read more: https://lnkd.in/et92_wrS #FastCasual #RestaurantIndustry #RestaurantOperations #Franchising #Leadership

How can camera vision and AI transform the QSR drive-thru from a standard speed check into a major profit engine? 🚗💨 📢 We're excited to feature Steve Fisher, Senior Director of IT at @Northland Management Services, as a speaker at #QSRNext on November 12, 2026! With deep, hands-on experience addressing the daily operational challenges faced by multi-brand franchisees across the Midwest, Steve brings a grounded, practical perspective on how smart technology drives real-world efficiency and empowers restaurant teams. In his session, "The Performance Drive-Thru: AI and the Future of Speed," he'll break down how video intelligence is revolutionizing the lane, including: ✅ Moving beyond legacy loop timers with camera vision AI ✅ Transitioning from rigid embedded sensors to flexible, scalable software ✅ Key operational considerations when deploying new drive-thru tech ✅ Practical strategies to boost lane speed, sharpen order accuracy, and reduce OpEx #QSRNext is a free half-day virtual event designed specifically for busy restaurant owners and executives looking to stay ahead of industry trends. #QSRNext #RestaurantTech #AI #DriveThru #RestaurantOperations #NorthlandManagement