Agenda
Monday, May 5, 2025
8:00 AM–12:00 PM
CATERING GROWTH FORUM In partnership with ezCater Pre-Conference Presentations
Food On Demand is pleased once again to announce that we have partnered with ezCater to host the Catering Growth Forum as a half-day, catering-focused event before the start of the 2025 Food On Demand Conference. The Catering Growth Forum will be a free event for all registered FODC attendees.
• Keynote: Capitalizing on the Expanding Food Needs of the Corporate Customer
We’ll kick off the Catering Growth Forum with a welcome session amplified by insights around the huge — and growing — opportunity for restaurants to bring their food into workplaces. You’ll gain valuable information about investing in workplace catering to drive growth to your overall businesses — and the inspiration to get started!
Nihad Rahman, CEO, ezCater
• Data-Driven Decisions: Unlocking the Power of Workplace Food Insights
During this data-rich session, you’ll gain valuable industry and customer insights based on proprietary ezCater data drawn from millions of B2B catering transactions, as well as from ezCater’s survey of over 2,300 people across three core groups: workplace orderers, employees, and restaurant operators. You'll hear details about industry growth, new ways food is being brought into the workplace, and operational considerations to help optimize your catering offering, so you can create strategic action plans to grow your brand.
Cindy Klein Roche & Jeremy Cantarow, ezCater
• Understanding the Growing Needs & Use Cases of the Corporate Customer
Dive deep into the catering needs of high-value corporate customers. ezCater’s UX research team will spotlight decision makers and orderers from major companies as they discuss restaurant brands they love and insights on how you can stay top of mind. You’ll learn about these customers’ profiles, including their company use cases, why food is so important to them, their ordering behaviors, and insights into their verticals.
Session #1: Hear from high-profile orderers and decision makers from the United Airlines team as they share how they use workplace food to fuel their employees and important clients — at their headquarters, at airports, and in the sky.
Session #2: The Office Use Case with Deloitte and Celonis
Kyle Romain, UX Research, ezCater; Barb Donohue & Stephanie Yamada, United Airlines; Brizey Orjuela, Celonis; Annie Rodriguez & Melanie Enriquez, Deloitte
• Success at Scale: Elite Brands' Commitment to Excellence & Flawless Execution
Meet the elite operators of the workplace food world. This session will highlight reliable, high-volume brands and explore how they’re evolving their catering programs for large group orders. Through moderated discussions, you’ll learn about the successful strategies, investments and processes that drive significant revenue growth for these brands.
Session #1: Join Condado Taco’s Chief Marketing Officer, Sara Kear, and Senior Off-Premise Manager, Zachary Welborn, to discuss how they’ve built a fast-growing, super reliable, highly successful catering program across a 50+ location emerging brand over the last five years.
Session #2: Join City Barbeque’s Chief Brand Officer, Annica Conrad, and Senior Director of Off-Premise, Scott Erwin, as they’ve reached new audiences and scaled their deeply trusted, 70+ location brand over the last 30 years.
• From Insights to Action
You’ll walk away from the Catering Growth Forum with actionable strategies and data to help accelerate your catering business for growth. You’ll also hear how to connect with the ezCater team at the Innovation Lab and throughout the Food on Demand Conference, giving you opportunities for more personalized conversations about setting up your business for success.
Michelle Smart, Chief Customer Care Officer, ezCater
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
OPENING GENERAL SESSION
• Outstanding Operator Recognition • 1:00pm–1:20pm
The Outstanding Operators Program highlights 20 innovative brands taking creative paths to success with all things off-premises.
• Winning in the AI Era: How the Smartest Brands Will Thrive • 1:20pm–1:45pm
AI isn’t coming. It’s here. The brands that embrace it now will define the next decade of business. Adam Brotman and Andy Sack, seasoned digital transformation leaders and authors of AI First, have spent the last year speaking with the world’s biggest technology leaders, from Sam Altman to Bill Gates, to understand exactly where AI is taking us. Their conclusion? Success in the AI era won’t come from simply adopting new tools, it will require reinventing how brands engage customers, deliver experiences, and make decisions. Join Brotman and Sack as they break down the key principles of a winning digital strategy for the AI era and what every brand must do now to stay ahead.
Adam Brotman & Andy Sack, Forum3
• Off-Premises Roundtable • 1:45pm–2:35pm
Industry leaders discuss innovative off-premises strategies and share what to expect in the year ahead.
Moderator: Bernadette Heier, Food On Demand; Panelists: Zach Noren, GoTo Foods; CJ Ramirez, Dog Haus; Julie Klinger, Playa Bowls; Korey Love Taylor, Taco John's International
• Navigating the Future of Autonomous Food Delivery • 2:35pm–3:25pm
What does the integration of autonomous delivery look like in the restaurant industry? From flying drones to sidewalk delivery robots, we’ll dive into how these technologies are reshaping the delivery landscape. We’ll also address key challenges—regulatory hurdles, infrastructure needs, and what it will take to actually scale these innovations.
Moderator: Robin Riedel, McKinsey & Company; Panelists: Touraj Parang, Serve Robotics; Nicole Schone, Wing; Michael Boyan, Shake Shack
• Data & Insights • 3:25pm–4:00pm
Two industry experts share exclusive insights on what customers want, how value is shifting in restaurants, and the latest trends in delivery. Get the inside scoop on technology, market shifts, and what’s coming next.
Moderator: Henry Gimelfarb, Loop AI; Panelists: Lisa Miller, Lisa W Miller & Associates; Victor Fernandez, Black Box Intelligence
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Exhibit Hall Opening Reception
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Operator Only VIP Party
(special invite required)
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
7:30 am - 8:30 am
Networking Breakfast & Operator Roundtables
Operators helping operators! Join us during Tuesday’s breakfast for the inaugural operator only roundtable discussions. It’s a chance to connect with fellow restaurant operators and talk about key topics impacting your business. Share ideas, struggles and opportunities in an environment that’s vendor free and built for restaurant collaboration.
We’ll have three discussion tracks focused on restaurant marketing, catering and an open forum where you can bring up whatever’s on your mind.
Sponsored by ezCater
8:30 am - 11: 30 am
General Session
• Established & Emerging: Execs Talk Tech and Driving Digital Sales • 8:30am–9:20am
No matter a brand's size, it's not optional to have an off-premises strategy. Hear from leaders on two ends of the unit count spectrum as they detail how they've set their brands up for digital success, what they've learned along the way and what it means to build tech stacks with the future in mind.
Moderator: Laura Michaels, Franchise Times; Panelists: Jennifer Dodd, Main Squeeze Juice Co.; Amber Gadsby, Qdoba
• Third Party Deep Dive • 9:20am–10:20am
The top three biggest players share how operators can adapt to shifting consumer behavior and strategies for working best with third-party delivery.
Moderator: Bernadette Heier, Food On Demand; Panelists: Meghan Musbach, Uber Technologies; Jim Osborne, Grubhub; Vishwa Chandra, DoorDash
• Developing Restaurants for Off-Premises Excellence • 10:40am–11:30am
As consumers continue to crave convenience, restaurants are redeveloping their spaces or opening digital forward prototypes to meet the needs of digital-first customers. We’ll explore how brands are optimizing for delivery, and mobile pickup with tech-driven strategies like digital menus, kiosks, pickup lanes, order-ahead options, and automation.
Moderator: Fred LeFranc,Results Thru Strategy; Panelists: Christophe Poirier, Saucy by KFC; Adam Noyes, Potbelly; Jason Rusk, Wonder
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Open Networking Luncheon
Exhibit hall open from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Lunch will be served from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Breakouts
• The Power of Data, Building Loyalty Programs That Stick • 1:00pm–1:50pm
Discover how today’s leading brands are using guest data to fuel loyalty programs that drive real results—from increased frequency to higher retention. This session will go beyond apps and points, diving into how data powers personalized experiences, smarter menu decisions, and stronger guest relationships. Learn how to create loyalty that lasts by consistently delivering what your customers value most.
Moderator: Abhinav Kapur, Bikky; Panelists: Julie Wade, Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe; Casey Terrell, Blaze Pizza; Courtney Maxedon, Kahala Brands/Cold Stone Creamery
• Next-Gen Marketing: Attracting the Digital-First Generation • 1:00pm–1:50pm
We’ll explore the latest tactics brands are using to engage Gen Z—everything from gamification to leveraging social media and influencer partnerships for viral content. Gain insights on building lasting loyalty through digital-first experiences.
Moderator: Bernadette Heier, Food On Demand; Panelists: Geoff Alexander, Wow Bao; Shawn P. Walchef, Cali BBQ Media; Stacey Kane, Emerging Brands
• Gen AI: Practical Solutions for Off-Prem Success • 1:00pm–1:50pm
Join technology leaders and operators as they explore how Generative AI is driving off-premises success. Discover practical solutions, real-world wins, and lessons learned to harness this transformative technology.
Moderator: Carl Orsbourn, Invisible Technologies; Panelists: Deborah Matteliano, Amazon; Rich Faltot, Point B; Shiv Adhiappan, YUM! Brands
• Building Your Digital Storefront, How to Drive Direct Orders • 2:00pm–2:50pm
Want to drive more orders straight to your restaurant? We’ll cover everything from building your own app for direct ordering to teaming up with vendors for a custom digital storefront. Learn how to capture new guests and keep them coming back.
Moderator: Stefan Hertzberg, Canopy Venture Studios; Panelists: Jo Lambert, Olo; Allen Beck, Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill; KC Fox, DoorDash
• The Digital Trifecta: Marketing, Tech & Ops Aligning for Online Dominance • 2:00pm–2:50pm
Dive into the heart digital ordering with a unique cross-functional panel. Hear from marketing, technology, and operations leaders as they tackle key challenges and opportunities in today's landscape. Explore how each department leverages AI, loyalty platforms, kiosks, and first-party ordering channels to drive growth. Gain invaluable insights into aligning these critical areas for seamless customer experiences and optimized digital strategies, all within your own branded ecosystem.
Brett Spiegel, Checkmate; Jane McPherson, Penn Station East Coast Subs; Leon Davoyan, Daves Hot Chicken; Josh Halpern, Big Chicken
• Is the Price Right? Navigating Value Wars in Turbulent Times • 2:00pm–2:50pm
A deep dive into the newest methodologies and best practices in omni channel pricing strategies. Learn how the application of big data, AI and localized economics can guide price decisions for on and off-premises. Is a flat percentage mark-up for 3PD the best strategy to remain competitive and increase profitability?
Moderator: Michael Lukianoff, Signal Flare AI Panelists: Robbie Earl, Virtual Dining Concepts; Bryan Batson, Lou Malnati's, Alonso Castañeda, Savory Restaurant Fund
• From Tradition to Tech: How Legacy Brands Embrace Digital for the Modern Guest • 3:10pm–4:00pm
A focus on how legacy brands are upgrading technology—such as mobile ordering, POS upgrades, and loyalty programs and other digital forward tactics—to attract and retain digital-savvy guests while preserving their traditional in-person experience.
Moderator: Emilee Wentland, Franchise Times; Panelists: Ahsan Jiva, Mellow Mushroom; Amy Barnett, Cracker Barrel; Katie Walker Rankin, Landry's
• Reputation Management, Navigating the Omnichannel Landscape • 3:10pm–4:00pm
In today’s digital world restaurants are getting reviews and engagement from so many touchpoints. We’ll cover best practices for managing your online reputation while keeping your brand voice strong. Discover tools and AI solutions to streamline the process without losing authenticity.
Moderator: Andy Freivogel, Science On Call; Panelists: David Dubinski, Momos; Avi Goren, Marqii; Brittany Mercer, Cowboy Chicken
• Optimizing Delivery, Blending In-House and Third-Party • 3:10pm–4:00pm
A look at how operators are nailing the hybrid delivery model—mixing in-house drivers with third-party. Learn how to tap into third-party platforms to offer on-demand delivery through your own website and app, keeping your brand front and center.
Moderator: Kelly Grogan, Crumbs; Panelists: Brandi Villarreal, Uber; Destiny Clark, Papa Johns International; Dino Nothway, Portillo's
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Reception In The Exhibit Hall
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
8:00 am - 9:00 am
Networking Breakfast
Sponsored by ezCater
9:00 am - 11:45 am
General Session
•Best Practices for Delivery-First and Multi-Concept Hubs • 9:00am–9:50am
Explore strategies for optimizing operations in delivery-first kitchens, multi-concept hubs, and non-traditional locations, focusing on in-house delivery management, delivery partnerships, order management, and tech stack solutions.
Moderator: Peter Backman, theDelivery.World; Panelists: Andrew Martino, gtk; Prashant Kumar Patel, Chef on Call; Máté Kun, Growth Kitchen
• Around the Industry: Catering 101 • 9:50am–10:40am
Featuring short, solo talks from diverse corners of the catering industry. Hear from groups representing packaging, marketplaces, tech and delivery fulfillment.
Moderator: Ryan Palmer, Lathrop GPM; Panelists: Chris Heffernan, dlivrd; Byron Duncan, New Catering Connections; Ashley Elzinga, Foodservice Packaging Institute; Jeremy Cantarow, ezCater; Nathan Torres, Olo
• Catering Tech Uncoded • 10:40am–11:30am
Join us for an operator only focused panel on navigating catering tech for long-term success.
Moderator: Jenn Saunders-Haynes, Elizabeth Jewel Consulting; Panelists: Eric Stepp, Bojangles; Pete Minich, Fresh City Kitchen; Ben Kim, KFire; Ashley Reed, Taco Cabana
11:30 am
Conference Closing Remarks