What does it take for customers to really love your restaurant brand? This session delivers unique perspectives in building passionate customers through food and service, personalized loyalty, and shareable memorable marketing experiences. Sastry will offer candid insights based on Punchh's clients and best industry practices. What is a modern loyalty program? Why do some brands succeed where most fail? How do you create a bigger universe of known customers? How do you best leverage customer data? Why is AI and Machine Learning so critical for your loyalty program? You will leave this session with a great understanding of how to deliver best in class customer loyalty for your restaurant brand that will lead to increased sales.

As consumer tastes continue to evolve, restaurant and food service operations must innovate and adapt to meet the varied market demands. Contemporary consumer cravings in tandem with emerging societal dining trends are driving a more eco-friendly perspective, a greater emphasis on global flavors/cuisines, an increased focus on plant-based and veggie centric foods that are no longer just for vegetarians, the exploration of new food sourcing options such as hyper-local sourcing in which operations grow produce in their own gardens, a surge in for 3rd party delivery options, and a focus experimental dining which consumers are looking for an experience in addition to a great meal.

As food trends evolve, putting food safety at the forefront is paramount to ensure the proper interventions are in place to protect your brand and keep your guests safe. This session will explore thought-provoking ideas and strategies that will minimize food safety-related issues as food trends evolve and your business continues to innovate.

Learn key lessons of good leadership and gain practical insights from top businessmen in the Restaurant industry. Our panel of speakers share their hard- hitting experiences to challenge as well as to inspire you to achieve greater results and personal growth. A new addition to the GRLC Agenda not to be missed.

To gain competitive advantage and boost profits, top operators are increasingly turning to a key operational lever: team execution. Specifically, they’re investing in initiatives and technology that will give them an edge in both making store and field employees more efficient and that will raise the bar on the quality of execution across every one of their stores.

On the efficiency front, the focus is getting more productivity out of every employee by automating and digitizing as many processes as possible, freeing up people’s time to focus on higher value activity.

In parallel, operators are looking to give their team the tools and insights to identify potential issues earlier, make better decisions, surfacing where additional coaching and training is needed most.

Join this panel discussion to learn how to scale operations by elevating team execution and creating a great experience for customers, every time they walk through the door.

Looking to enter or expand in the U.S.? This session will provide the necessary background and up-to-date intelligence for any restaurant concept planning to enter or expand within this competitive marketplace. The session is designed to give you, the operator, insight into the U.S. foodservice market, including the current size of the market, trends in foodservice, who the successful restaurant operators are and who to watch. Additionally, learn what issues restaurant brands face when entering the U.S. related to the marketplace, distribution and local governments. After gaining a foundational understanding, walk away with an invaluable framework for your expansion strategy toolkit. 

Good ideas come in all forms and sizes. Hear 10 intriguing (and easily duplicated) ones in this rapid-fire recount of creative approaches to common restaurant problems and opportunities. You’ll leave the session with practical suggestions that almost every operator can adapt. Attendees can also air their own problems and challenges to see what suggestions the group may have.