Operations
Anybody who is aware of Eddie is aware of he brings a witty, frank and refreshingly sincere perspective to the desk. He will speak concerning the “unconventional” methods — those they do not at all times educate you in B-school — that led L&L to eight consecutive #1 Asian meals franchise rankings.
Picture: NMG
January 9, 2026 by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com
For those who’ve been within the restaurant trade for greater than 5 minutes, you already know the “American Dream” is not only a catchy phrase — it is the gasoline that retains us opening doorways at 5 a.m. and perfecting recipes at midnight. However how do you are taking a single, distinctive idea from an area favourite to a worldwide powerhouse?
That’s precisely why I’m so enthusiastic about our opening keynote on the 2026 Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit, being held March 16-18, in San Diego.
We’re welcoming Eddie Flores Jr., the co-founder of the legendary L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, to the stage to share his journey. For those who aren’t acquainted with the L&L story (although your style buds in all probability are!), Eddie took a Hawaii-based model and scaled it into the most important chain of its sort within the U.S.
His session, “Franchising the American Dream,” is not going to be your typical “corporate-speak” keynote. Anybody who is aware of Eddie is aware of he brings a witty, frank and refreshingly sincere perspective to the desk. He will speak concerning the “unconventional” methods — those they do not at all times educate you in B-school — that led L&L to eight consecutive No. 1 Asian meals franchise rankings.
Why do you have to be within the room?
Whether or not you’re a founder trying to franchise your first unit, a multi-unit operator looking for your subsequent large funding or a veteran trying to spark some new advertising and marketing magic, Eddie’s insights are pure gold. We’ll dive into:
- Figuring out the “Massive Concept”: Methods to know in case your idea is really “franchise-able.”
- Navigating danger: The frank actuality of scaling and find out how to defend your model.
- Group impression: Why fostering an area connection is the key sauce to long-term success.
However that is simply the beginning of the week.
From March 16–18, we’ll be absorbing the San Diego solar and diving into classes about revenue, AI, tech roadmaps, advertising and marketing, menu tendencies and the way forward for actual property — all whereas networking with the brightest minds within the enterprise.
Audio system embody:
- Erin Amadeo – Chief Advertising and marketing Officer, R&R Manufacturers.
- Brian Bailey – Founder & CEO, Previous Carolina Barbecue Co.
- Chris Bremer – Chief Growth Officer, Smoothie King.
- Chris Cheek – Chief Growth Officer, Newk’s Eatery.
- Chris Demery – Chief Expertise Officer, Blaze Pizza.
- Alicia DiStefano – VP, Observe Lead, QSR & Eating, InMarket.
- Craig Dunaway – Chief Working Officer, Penn Station East Coast Subs.
- Stacey Gelber – Vice President of Human Assets, Blaze Pizza.
- Brittney Wilganowski Harrison – Head of Income, HigherMe.
- Kenny Hom – SVP Operations, Provide Chain & Growth, Bushfire Kitchen.
- Troy Hooper – CEO, Scorching Palette Holdings.
- Jay Jhun – Senior Director, Loyalty and Digital, Church’s Texas Hen.
- Stacey Kane – Chief Advertising and marketing Officer, A number of Manufacturers.
- Basil Kazepis – VP of Actual Property and Building, Little Caesars Pizza.
- Seth Larsen – Chief Relationship Officer, Cheba Hut.
- Mike LaRue – Vice President of Franchise Growth, Offended Chickz.
- Kerry Leo – Vice President of Expertise, Shipley Do-Nuts.
- John Lucas – VP of Model & Franchise Growth, Farmer Boys.
- Craig Miller – Co-Writer of “Bricks and Clicks,” Forbes Books.
- Chris Noffze – Director of Direct Franchising, Operations, Gong cha Americas.
- Joseph Ortiz – President & COO, Farmer Boys.
- Josh Patrick – VP of Culinary & Procurement, Rock N Roll Sushi.
- Jeff Perera – Co-Founder & Vice President, Jeff’s Bagel Run.
- Robin Robison – President of Rising Manufacturers, Thrive Restaurant Group (Trendy Market Eatery & HomeGrown Daytime Eatery).
- James Roussos – Franchise Enterprise Marketing consultant, Hen Salad Chick.
- Jennifer Schuler – CEO, Handel’s Selfmade Ice Cream.
- Brian Simowitz – President, Houston TX Scorching Hen.
- Paul Sinowitz – Chief Provide Chain Officer, QDOBA Mexican Eats.
- Dan Smith – President, Rusty Taco.
- Shak Turner – Director of Franchise Growth, Wienerschnitzel.
- Carlo Verdugo – VP of Franchise Operations & Growth, Juice It Up!
- Matthew Partitions – President and Chief Shops Officer, Edible Manufacturers.
- Liz Williams – CEO, El Pollo Loco.
The restaurant trade is altering quicker than ever, and when you aren’t innovating, you are standing nonetheless. Come for the inspiration from legends like Eddie Flores Jr., and keep for the actionable methods that can show you how to construct your individual model of the American Dream.
I can not wait to see you in San Diego! 🌴🌊
About Cherryh Cansler
