Restaurant Leadership Conference

Struggling to reach staffers who seem lost in their own world? Well, have you thought about pottery? That’s the improbable route Bill Strickland took when he set out to turn the disadvantaged of his native Pittsburgh into choice job candidates all but vibrating with enthusiasm. Now a world-renowned motivational authority, Strickland has agreed to recount how he molds workforce stars from prospects that don’t appear to fit the system. His delivery at the Restaurant Leadership Conference promises to be as unusual as the training approach he’s taken.

Pepsico's Nooyi to talk navigation at RLC 2012

Adapting to shifts in the marketplace is tough enough for the operator of a single restaurant. Imagine the challenge it poses for Indra Nooyi, chairman and CEO of Pepsico Inc., a diversified consumer-goods company with operations in almost every nook and cranny of the planet.

Ron Shaich to focus on 'conscious capitalism'

Attention, Wall Street Occupiers: The sort of corporate conscience you’re demanding isn’t alien to the restaurant business, as the trade’s leaders will be reminded at the 2012 Restaurant Leadership Conference. Ron Shaich, co-founder and chairman of Panera Bread Co., will conclude the conference with a presentation on the philosophy he’s instilling in the phenomenally successful chain, a mindset known as conscious capitalism.

The writing on Facebook's wall

Forecasters have divined a larger sales role for social media in 2012 and beyond, but that’s where the crystal ball goes wonky. Fortunately for restaurateurs, Facebook has agreed to foretell some of the why’s and how’s for their channel.

If you view other restaurants as your competition, meet Howard Stoeckel. He’s eating your lunch, and you may not even realize it.

Hands-on dealmakers will discuss current restaurant-company valuations and the next wave of private-equity acquisitions during a keynote presentation at the 2012 Restaurant Leadership Conference.

The panel will feature principals of the private-equity firms behind some of the industry’s major recent equity deals. Slated to appear are Rahul Aggarwal of Brentwood Associates (Zoe’s Kitchen, Yum! franchisees Pacific Island Restaurants and K-Mac Holdings),

After steering McDonald’s through a key period in its domestic development, Ed Rensi is building a next-generation burger chain that’s widely hailed as a concept to watch. He’ll draw on both aspects of his career for a candid look at how the strategies for chain success have changed, a rare appearance slated for the 2012 Restaurant Leadership Conference.

Herman Cain to kick off RLC 2012

Presidential candidate Herman Cain will address his former colleagues in the restaurant business with a kick-off presentation at the 2012 Restaurant Leadership Conference, the annual top-to-top event of Restaurant Business and Monkeydish.com.

Q&A with Nando’s Robbie Brozin

MonkeyDish grabbed Robbie Brozin after his keynote presentation at the Restaurant Leadership Conference to learn more about the transformation of Nando’s Peri Peri, a grilled chicken concept, into one of the world’s largest fast-casual chains. Here’s what the South African had to say about the brand he founded and now serves as CEO:

MonkeyDish: Give us the thumbnail picture of Nando’s.

Food trucks roll into RLC

Food trucks fill the streets and parking lots of New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Austin and Portland, Ore. Los Angeles alone counts 9,000 food trucks and carts, including branded vehicles from California Pizza Kitchen and Carl’s Jr. Yet when Ray Villaman, moderator of a trucks panel at the Restaurant Leadership Conference, asked who in the audience has or plans to launch a food truck, only a few hands were raised.

Why restaurants get killed on public opinion

The traditional tools of legislative influence—lobbying, PACs, grassroots efforts—don’t cut it anymore.

Today they are merely the cost of entry, said Rick Berman, a restaurant lobbyist, consultant and political commentator, but the name of the game now is public opinion. And whoever defines public opinion first, wins.

Restaurant franchisors know the internet can be an effective local-store marketing tool. But how do they extend the capabilities to franchisees without surrendering a dangerous degree of control?

If you’re going to be the guy who buys that chain that’s fallen on hard times—but might be profitable in your hands—you’ve got to be ready to act early and fast. If you wait until bankruptcy is declared, you’re probably too late.

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