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Agenda

September 2-4, 2025 · Atlanta, GA

Atlanta Marriott Marquis

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  • September 2, 2025


  • September 3, 2025


  • September 4, 2025


  •  
    Where
    Marquis Registration 1

  •  
    Where
    Marquis Ballroom

  • Introducing the first WiRL Workshop! This exclusive lunch-and-learn, presented in partnership with LEAD, GLEAM, and Full Course, is designed to fuel your leadership journey with four engaging, no-fluff workshop sessions. We’re diving into leadership development, financial acumen, and mentorship, with a fourth session still under wraps (but we promise, it’ll be worth the wait). Plus, lunch! (additional fee)

    Click here for more info

  • What sets top-performing franchisees apart isn’t just what they do—it’s how they think. In this high-energy session, franchise performance expert and author of “The Wealthy Franchisee,” Scott Greenberg, will unpack the inner game of success in the quick-service restaurant industry. Drawing from years of research and real-world franchise experience, Scott will reveal the mindset, habits, and leadership traits that separate wealthy franchisees from the rest. (additional fee)

    Click here for more info

  • Join us and be welcomed to Atlanta and its rich restaurant history with two of the brands that started it all—Chick-fil-A and Coca-Cola. Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew Cathy and Coca-Cola President of Foodservice and On-Premise for North America Dagmar Boggs will take attendees inside the history of an iconic partnership that set the stage for decades of growth and giving back. Cathy will also share tales growing up in Chick-fil-A, and how he’s now fostering and nurturing a people-first culture that continues to lead with heart and a commitment to best-in-class operations. Cathy will offer a call to action for the industry to rally around fighting hunger and how to make the world we operate in a better place.
    Where
    Imperial Ballroom

  • Step into the spotlight at the QSR Evolution Opening Reception: Lights, Camera, Welcome! Join us on Tuesday evening for a star-studded kick-off featuring signature drinks, tasty bites, and an atmosphere made for networking. Walk the red carpet, strike a pose at our photo backdrop, and connect with fellow restaurant leaders as we roll out the velvet ropes and set the stage for an unforgettable event.
    Where
    Marquis Ballroom

  •  
    Where
    Marquis Registration 1

  •  
    Where
    Marquis Ballroom

  •  
    Where
    Imperial Ballroom

  • Join four leaders from Yum! Brands—the largest restaurant group in the world—as we explore the ever-evolving avenues of guest and team member engagement. How can you meet consumers on their own terms? How do you become a brand synonymous with culture? How do you attract and retain the next generation of QSR team members? This insightful keynote with Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC and Habit Burger & Grill marketing executives will explore these topics and more as we dive into how to evolve your brand overtime and truly connect with the next generation.
    Keynote
    Where
    Imperial Ballroom

  • The traditional approach to onboarding is changing. Instead of hiring and training for a few weeks, and then hoping for the best, the top restaurant companies are continuously training and developing talent throughout their time with the brand. With help from CHART (Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers), we’ll explore how you not only find the best employees but educate and nurture them to become the future of your business.
    Labor, Culture, and the Employee Value Proposition
    Where
    International 3

  • Your digital sales might be growing as customer preference continues to evolve in COVID’s wake, from delivery to mobile-order, pickup, and more. But are your off-premises gains coming at the expense of in-store customers? We’ll break down how to separate and balance the flow of transactions so you can deliver customer experience on both ends without sacrificing the other.

    Sponsored by:
    Technology: From Innovation to Optimization
    Where
    International 4-5

  • Sponsored by:
    Take the Lead
    Where
    International 6-7

  • Whether you’re looking for a partner or trying to find a brand to pour capital in, we’ll bring together industry leaders to discuss the state of investing, how both sides can work together, and what it takes to win, regardless of which aisle you’re on.

    Sponsored by:
    Fast Casual, Franchising, and the Journey to Growth
    Where
    International 8-9

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    Where
    Marquis Ballroom

  • David McClaskey, along with Thom Crosby, founded the Pal’s Business Excellence Institute 25 years ago (it was rebranded to McClaskey Excellence Institute in 2020). Now, they'll tackle a pulsing topic at the QSR Evolution Conference: Employee turnover is a major concern. Learn how QSR and other companies that have consistently low turnover create an environment where employees can stay up to twice as long with little to no ongoing cost.
    Labor, Culture, and the Employee Value Proposition
    Where
    International 3

  • We explored the fear and potential of AI last year. Let’s regroup to see what’s changed, why it matters, and whether or not AI is truly the unlock your restaurant has been looking for.

    Sponsored by:
    Technology: From Innovation to Optimization
    Where
    International 4-5

  • Sponsored by:
    Take the Lead
    Where
    International 6-7

  • To put it lightly, raising money has been a challenging and convoluted experience in recent years. What’s the deal with valuations? Should you go to a bank? IPO? Partner? Let’s take the pulse of the landscape and provide some actionable ideas to get funding for your restaurant growth.
    Fast Casual, Franchising, and the Journey to Growth
    Where
    International 8-9

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    Where
    Marquis Ballroom

  • Gen Zers aren’t just entering the spending pool; they’ve fast become a significant labor target for restaurants of all kinds. What do they want and how can you attract and retain them, from training tools to outreach?
    Labor, Culture, and the Employee Value Proposition
    Where
    International 3

  • Industry vet and Hot Palette America (Pepper Lunch) CEO Troy Hooper takes you inside his playbook for how a growing restaurant chain, corporate or franchised, can deploy AI in real time to fuel expansion and bolster the bottom line.

    Sponsored by:
    Technology: From Innovation to Optimization
    Where
    International 4-5

  • Sponsored by:
    Take the Lead
    Where
    International 6-7

  • Remember when having a drive-thru disqualified you from being a fast casual? Those days are long gone as technology and the need for convenience continue to surge. How can fast casuals get credit for their differentiators and what do customers care most about? Is it food, service, or something else? Let’s explore the blurring of the lines and what it means for the quick-service category going forward.

    Sponsored by:
    Fast Casual, Franchising, and the Journey to Growth
    Where
    International 8-9

  •  
    Where
    Marquis Ballroom

  • In today’s business landscape, doing good is more than just a choice—it's a smart strategy. Customers and employees alike are increasingly looking for companies that demonstrate social responsibility and a commitment to purpose. Integrating a cause into your business model can drive sales, boost employee satisfaction, and foster long-term customer loyalty. This session will explore successful ideas and strategies for embedding social purpose into your food and beverage operation, helping you build a powerful halo effect around your brand.
    Labor, Culture, and the Employee Value Proposition
    Where
    International 3

  • One of last year’s most boisterous and informative panels returns for a status check on where loyalty programs are going and what you need to track to understand the real health of your customer base.

    Sponsored by:
    Technology: From Innovation to Optimization
    Where
    International 4-5

  • QSR’s WiRL platform takes the stage to once again gather insights, advice, and share stories from women leaders around the industry as we look to elevate, educate, and empower.

    Sponsored by:
    Take the Lead
    Where
    International 6-7

  • Want to know what’s happening in the restaurant franchise world and where the growth is? A panel of sector leaders will dive in and take your questions on what makes a winning franchisor and franchisees.

    Sponsored by:
    Fast Casual, Franchising, and the Journey to Growth
    Where
    International 8-9

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    Where
    Marquis Ballroom

  • Discover the latest developments in the QSR sector. From consumer-driven flavor innovations to marketing strategies that captivate new demographics, this session offers a look into the key dynamics that every stakeholder should understand. Uncover practical strategies to enhance your brand’s market position and build customer loyalty.
    Where
    Imperial Ballroom

  • Celebrating their 75th anniversary with a cult-like fan base, Whataburger is a brand steeped in legacy—and now it’s expanding at record speed. CEO and President Debbie Stroud shares how she’s steering the iconic brand through its next chapter, balancing bold growth initiatives with deep cultural roots. Hear insights on strategic expansion, cultivating operational excellence, and leading with purpose in a fast-changing QSR landscape.
    Keynote
    Where
    Imperial Ballroom

  • Step into a world of intrigue at Murder at the Marquis Manor, an unforgettable WiRL networking reception with a mysterious twist.

    This isn’t your average cocktail hour. Set in a Victorian manor full of secrets, suspicious characters, and shadowy corners, this immersive murder mystery experience blends community and creativity with costumes, clues, and conversation. Sip a cocktail, follow the trail of hints, and team up with fellow attendees to crack the case—all while building authentic connections with women (and men) across the restaurant industry.

    It’s a night of empowerment, playful suspense, and unforgettable moments. Don’t miss your chance to sleuth, sip, and socialize—WiRL-style.

    Sponsored by:
    Where
    International ABC

  • Trade your conference badge for a lei and unwind at Sunset Social: Luau Night. After a packed day of sessions, join your fellow attendees for a relaxed and festive evening filled with island vibes, tropical bites and upbeat rhythms from a live steel drum band. This is your chance to kick back, enjoy the open bar and heavy appetizers, and connect with peers in a vibrant, tiki-inspired setting.

    Come for the conversation, stay for the music, and soak up the feel-good energy of this can’t-miss networking night.
    Where
    Marquis Ballroom

  • Ready to party like it’s 1929? Slip into your finest Roaring ’20s attire and unlock the door with a secret password sent to you via the event app onsite. Step inside this lively speakeasy where jazz fills the air, cocktails flow freely, and every corner invites you to mingle, laugh, and celebrate.

    From the first note to the last sip, this immersive evening promises vintage vibes, playful intrigue, and plenty of chances to connect with fellow night owls in style. Don’t miss the chance to make memories that are anything but ordinary.

    Sponsored by:
    Where
    International Ballroom

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    Where
    Marquis Registration 1

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    Where
    Marquis Ballroom

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    Where
    Imperial Ballroom

  • Inspire Brands CFO Kate Jaspon has forged a career in relationship building and putting the needs of franchisees first. From serving as Dunkin’ CFO to leading the function at the largest restaurant company in the US by units, she’ll take attendees through her career journey, what it’s like to innovate in a shared-services model, how iconic brands balance integration while remaining true to their identity, and what’s driving the Dunkin’, Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, SONIC, Jimmy John’s, and Buffalo Wild Wings owner into a bold future rife with opportunity.
    Keynote
    Where
    Imperial Ballroom

  •  
    Where
    Marquis Ballroom

  • What does Donald Trump being elected mean for your restaurant and your workforce? Courtney Leyes and Emily Litzinger from Fisher-Phillips return to break it all down.
    Labor, Culture, and the Employee Value Proposition
    Where
    International 3

  • Let’s ask one question: What’s the biggest tech trend nobody is talking about yet? Let the craziness ensue. Bring your thoughts and ask the experts what they think.

    Sponsored by:
    Technology: From Innovation to Optimization
    Where
    International 4-5

  • Join us for an insightful session where we’ll explore Wendy’s new brand promise and how it shapes the brand’s growth strategy. Wendy’s’ U.S. Chief Development Officer, Tatiana Lambert, will dive into the key elements of the company’s Strategic Development approach, including market planning and leveraging data to fuel expansion. Discover how Wendy’s uses strategic site selection, innovative asset strategies, targeted market positioning and a range of incentives and programs to support franchisee success and drive profitability.

    Sponsored by:
    Take the Lead
    Where
    International 6-7

  • In recent years, the price tiers between QSR and fast casual have grown closer, not further apart. How can the elevated category navigate this reality while staying on the front foot of growth?

    Sponsored by:
    Fast Casual, Franchising, and the Journey to Growth
    Where
    International 8-9

  •  
    Where
    Marquis Ballroom

  • A lot of restaurant brands talk about putting employees first and empowering their workers. Learn how to make a true impact and nurture team members who will become ambassadors of your brand.
    Labor, Culture, and the Employee Value Proposition
    Where
    International 3

  • Earlier in the morning, we revealed the fastest, most accurate, and friendliest drive-thrus in the country. Now, let’s dive into the insights behind the data with leaders from quick service’s hallmark channel.

    Sponsored by:
    Technology: From Innovation to Optimization
    Where
    International 4-5

  • As one of the most iconic brands in the chicken category since its founding in 1952, Church’s Texas Chicken has a rich legacy, but it’s the brand’s recent campaigns and menu innovations that have people talking. In this session, Chief Marketing Officer, Navin Sharma, shares how the brand is reigniting growth through bold marketing, operational excellence, all with a focus on flavor and value. With profitability and global and domestic growth on the rise along with a renewed commitment to cultural relevance and culinary innovation, Church’s is making a dynamic comeback and is poised for long-term, sustainable success.

    Sponsored by:
    Take the Lead
    Where
    International 6-7

  • Hourly employees are the heart, soul, and face of most restaurants. Yet many operators struggle to equip them with the tools, motivation, and management they need to thrive. In this breakout session, business performance expert Scott Greenberg will reveal the key differences between managing hourly employees and salaried staff. Attendees will learn proven strategies to better train, motivate, and manage their teams, empowering hourly employees to deliver exceptional performance and embody their brand. Walk away with actionable insights to build a high-performance culture that improves retention, customer experience, and profitability.

    Sponsored by:
    Fast Casual, Franchising, and the Journey to Growth
    Where
    International 8-9

  •  
    Where
    Marquis Ballroom

  • Whether its recruitment or benefits, delivering a proposition that dials into the needs of today’s restaurant worker can make all the difference.
    Labor, Culture, and the Employee Value Proposition
    Where
    International 3

  • Partnerships, data share, first- and third-party, last-mile—these solutions and topics continue to evolve as the channel grows for consumers, economic challenges or not. As guests prove their willingness to pay for the service, how can aggregators and operators work together to solve the concerns that have hovered over the category since its inception?

    Sponsored by:
    Technology: From Innovation to Optimization
    Where
    International 4-5

  • Join Ryan Ostrom, Chief Customer & Digital Officer for Jack in the Box, as he explores how QSR brands can move beyond traditional marketing to create meaningful cultural experiences that resonate with today's consumers. In this candid conversation, Ryan will share how Jack in the Box has successfully integrated its unique brand voice into cultural moments that connect with fans' distinct interests while driving business results.

    Sponsored by:
    Take the Lead
    Where
    International 6-7

  • Like last year, we’ll gather culinary minds from across quick service to highlight the flavor trends and strategies winning on menus industry-wide.

    Sponsored by:
    Fast Casual, Franchising, and the Journey to Growth
    Where
    International 8-9

  •  
    Where
    Marquis Ballroom

  • Inspired by our annual blockbuster report, we tap the insight and best practices from some of the top employers in the QSR industry. Whether its wages, benefits, or culture, becoming an employer of choice is a critical key to scaling your brand.

    Sponsored by:
    Labor, Culture, and the Employee Value Proposition
    Where
    International 3

  • Office culture might be in flux, but catering has made a major comeback in recent years. Operators are finding new opportunities, from smaller groups to digital unlocks, as they look to get their food in front of more guests with large, profitable orders.

    Sponsored by:
    Technology: From Innovation to Optimization
    Where
    International 4-5

  • Join us for an enlightening session where we’ll explore Freddy’s approach to fostering robust franchisor-franchisee relationships. Freddy’s CEO, Chris Dull, will delve into the key elements of the company’s collaborative strategy, including effective communication and mutual support. He will offer insights into how Freddy’s ensures franchisee success through comprehensive training programs, regular feedback loops, and dedicated resources. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the integral role that strong partnerships play in achieving operational excellence and business growth.

    Sponsored by:
    Take the Lead
    Where
    International 6-7

  • No matter what changes in this industry, finding the right location will always separate the brands that thrive from those that operate uphill from day one.

    Sponsored by:
    Fast Casual, Franchising, and the Journey to Growth
    Where
    International 8-9

  •  
    Where
    Marquis Ballroom

  • We’ll gather industry leaders to offer their insight on what it takes to foster a top-down culture that everybody buys into. Serving up hospitality starts here.

    Sponsored by:
    Labor, Culture, and the Employee Value Proposition
    Where
    International 3

  • We often hear in this industry about meeting the customer where they are, when they are, and how they want to be met. Is that a mythical ask, or are there solutions today available to serve that demand?

    Sponsored by:
    Where
    International 4-5

  • As CEO of Original ChopShop, Jason Morgan has grown the fast casual from three to 26 units in less than a decade, achieving industry-leading results along the way. Previously, he scaled Zoës Kitchen from 20 to 150 stores, led its successful IPO, and drove revenues past $220 million. In this conversation, Morgan will share his playbook for building high-growth brands, preparing companies for major capital events, and navigating today’s competitive restaurant landscape.
    Take the Lead
    Where
    International 6-7

  • Few things in this industry are more difficult than going from Store 1 to Store 2. Hear from some brands that started as a dream and got off the ground running, the stories behind the process, and what it took to scale beyond an idea.

    Sponsored by:
    Fast Casual, Franchising, and the Journey to Growth
    Where
    International 8-9

  •  
    Where
    Marquis Ballroom

  • Sweetgreen has redefined what it means to be a quick-service brand in the modern era, championing real food, transparent sourcing, and cutting-edge technology to create a scalable, purpose-driven business. Cofounder and CEO Jonathan Neman joins us to share how the brand is combining mission with momentum. From expanding its fully automated Infinite Kitchen concept to achieving one of the highest digital sales mixes in the industry, the rising chain continues to push boundaries on efficiency, personalization, and sustainability.
    Keynote
    Where
    Imperial Ballroom

  • The night isn’t over until Sips in the Sky—our official after party with a view. Join us on the Skyline Terrace to unwind and celebrate all the great connections and moments from the event. Sip on refreshing drinks and enjoy tasty appetizers as the sun sets and the city lights come alive. It’s the perfect way to toast a successful day and make new friends in a relaxed, stylish atmosphere.
    Where
    Skyline Terrace


Register Now

The QSR Evolution Conference is the only event that focuses solely on the needs of quick-service restaurant operators.
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Eugene Drezner
[email protected]
919-945-0705
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Topics
When
Sunday to Wednesday
December 23 to 26, 2022
Where
467 Davidson ave
Los Angeles CA 95716
Get directions