Franchising
Troy Hooper, CEO of Scorching Palette America – Pepper Lunch, shares a have a look at his profession, his achievements and trade traits forward of his look on the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit 2026.
Picture: Willie Lawless/Networld Media Group
January 23, 2026 by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com
At present, we’re shining a highlight on Troy Hooper, CEO of Scorching Palette America – Pepper Lunch.
Hooper is collaborating within the upcoming Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit, which takes place on March 16-18, 2026, in San Diego, California. He will likely be a panelist on the “Faucets & Techniques: Leaders’ Uncorked Recommendation for Operators” session.
The conversational session options main operators sharing real-world ways, discussing prime problems with as we speak and providing battle-tested recommendation for thriving in 2026.
On the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit, prime executives share how they’re scaling smarter and rising sooner by means of daring innovation. You will achieve the insights, inspiration, and connections to take your model to the subsequent stage.
We thought it could be enjoyable to get to know Hooper a bit higher forward of his look at RFIS. Register right here for the occasion.
Describe your present position
As CEO of Scorching Palette America I oversea the western hemisphere for Pepper Lunch eating places.
What was your first-ever profession position and what’s one necessary lesson you realized from it?
I used to be a bus boy at Bennigans! I realized to take pleasure in my work, add to the enjoyable environment of the house and that particulars matter at each stage of your work, it doesn’t matter what your position.
What impressed you to work in your trade?
My father constructed, renovated and invested in eating places, bars, and nightclubs. He additionally liked to entertain, and that is the place my pleasure for internet hosting and cooking got here to be fostered. I went to culinary college at 17 and have been within the enterprise for 33 years.
What do you take pleasure in most about your present position?
Honoring a legacy model of over 31 years that’s identified and standard all through Asia and Australia, and constructing out the crew and programs to make it related for not solely the U.S. as we speak, however for our enlargement globally effectively into the longer term.
What’s a typical false impression individuals have about what you do?
Individuals solely see what they’ll see; the work behind the scenes is usually invisible and subsequently many don’t understand the quantity of collaboration, analysis and energy that goes into the “wins you do see!”
What’s one profession achievement you are most happy with?
Being regarded as a contributor to this trade. I attempt to provide greater than I take, and I do my greatest to share what I do know and expertise for the advantage of others. Being acknowledged by commerce publications like Quick Informal as a High 25 Govt for the final two years is affirmation that my actions on this regard are appreciated.
Who’s/was your mentor and what’s one necessary lesson you realized from them?
I’ve had, and nonetheless have many mentors as we speak like Jim Balis of Capital Spring and Andrew Ok. Smith of Savory Fund and extra. The most important lesson is that you’ll all the time go further-faster, if you ask for assist, have a group to attract on and function with empathy and humility.
What trade traits do you suppose are presently over-hyped and why?
AI is presently over hyped, however unlikely for lengthy. Many give AI credit score for what it’s going to do quickly or at some point, however it nonetheless has some important limitations within the majority of companies as a result of not everybody has or can discover specialists who can leverage the disparate instruments to nice profit simply but. However that is the early studying and adoption section of what’s going to quickly be probably the most highly effective transformative expertise of our lifetime for certain.
What trade traits do you suppose do not get sufficient consideration and why?
Robotics. I feel rather more consideration, funding, and path must be given to varied programs that may present constant semi/totally automation of processes. Each restaurant ought to have a cleansing robotic. Bussers ought to have a robotic service as a companion to cut back carry accidents and fatigue. Kitchen robotics wants probably the most effort to supply us extra alternative and developments in meals manufacturing automation too.
What recommendation would you give to somebody simply beginning out in your trade?
Construct a group; Mentors, advisors, friends and many others. Search out individuals in any respect ranges in all areas of our trade and share what it’s you are attempting to perform, and ask for assist with the stuff you have no idea sufficient about or want outdoors perspective on to make the perfect selections for your enterprise.
Should you weren’t working in your present discipline, what would you be doing as an alternative?
Helicopter pilot.
What do you do to have enjoyable outdoors of labor?
Spend time with my household on the seashore and different out of doors actions. We’re big soccer followers, in order that dominates our free time two thirds of the 12 months.
