Sr. Principal & VP of Innovation Technomic
Rich serves as senior principal and vice president of innovation at Technomic, a leading research and advisory firm for the foodservice industry. In this role, he oversees the restaurant advisory and innovation practices, guiding clients through brand development, customer strategy, menu optimization, pricing analytics, and demand planning. His work enables organizations to make informed, forward-looking decisions that drive profitable growth in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
With more than a decade of experience advising restaurant operators, suppliers, and investors, Rich has built a reputation for integrating rigorous analytics with practical industry insight. His approach blends quantitative discipline with strategic foresight, ensuring every engagement results in actionable outcomes, not abstract theory.
Prior to joining Technomic, Rich served as a senior research associate at Mather Lifeways and as an Instructor of Sociology at Franklin College. Earlier in his career, he developed a deep understanding of research methodology and behavioral science that continues to shape his work today.
Rich holds a Master of Arts in Sociology from Rutgers University and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Sociology from Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis.
An accomplished speaker and thought leader, Rich has presented at leading industry events including the Restaurant Leadership Conference, the National Restaurant Association Show, and FSTEC, as well as numerous national franchise and leadership summits. He is known for delivering clear, evidence-based insights that challenge assumptions and inspire innovation across the foodservice industry.
