2011 Program Schedule

Sunday, October 9
Noon – 7:00 p.m. Registration at Intercontinental Buckhead
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Opening Cocktail Reception, Sponsor Fair
 
Monday, October 10
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast – Sponsored by  
8:30 – 8:45 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:45 – 9:45 a.m. Keynote Presentation
  Kat Cole
  President, Cinnabon
  Industry (and Twitter) celebrity Kat Cole kicks off the 2011 conference with an energetic and frank look at how to work to your full potential and build the best team possible. Cole, who has skyrocketed through the industry’s ranks, has 15 years of industry experience including having been Cinnabon’s COO as well as vice president of training and development for Hooter’s of America.
9:45 – 10 a.m. Coffee Break / Meet & Greet with Kat Cole
10 – 11 a.m. General Session
  Stew Leonard Jr.
  President, Stew Leonard’s Dairy Stores
  Stew Leonard is president of the world famous Stew Leonard’s dairy stores. His Northeast chain is often referred to as “the Disney of Retail,” a title earned by following two simple rules. Rule 1: The Customer is Always Right. Rule 2: If the Customer is Ever Wrong, Re-Read Rule 1. Leonard shares why he’s etched his golden rules into three-ton granite rocks in front of each store and how your brand can achieve the same unwavering customer service.
11:15 – 12:15 p.m. Breakout Session
  Industry Unionization
  There’s a strong current sweeping the industry, and it’s only a matter of time before talks of unionizing reach your employees. Efforts among Jimmy John’s and Starbucks crews are already underway. Find out how to prepare your franchise to combat labor efforts and prevent unrest in the first place.
  How to Get the Consumer’s Attention
Sponsored by   
  With diners increasingly difficult to reach given the fragmented media landscape, sponsorship has inherited a more accepted and important role in corporations’ marketing mix. Learn the best events to align your brand with and how to guarantee real ROI.
12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Lunch – Sponsored by  
1:15 – 2:15 p.m. Breakout Sessions
  The Young Guns – Sponsored by  
  Second-generation franchisees are looking at their parents’ portfolios and beginning to ditch traditional brands for more niche fast casuals and funky snack concepts. Find out what brands are hot and how you can position yours to be attractive to the new wave of potential franchisees.
  Concessions 101
  There’s big money to be had with landing a strong concessions deal, but the bidding process isn’t simple. Beyond your traditional menu and operations, companies will be looking at your sustainability efforts, your charitable giving, and your financing just to name a few. We hear from franchisees who’ve mastered the process.
  Breakfast: The Incredible Eggspanding Market – Sponsored by
  Breakfast continues to be the major growth driver in foodservice...with more breakfasts, more customers, and more innovation. Hear from two of the top breakfast research experts, Warren Solochek from NPD and Maeve Webster from Datassential, as they showcase trends, strategies for growth, and winning menus. Eggspand your business with the eggsciting potential of breakfast.
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. General Session
  Join the Mobile Movement
  Mobile phone sales dwarfed PC sales at the beginning of 2011 and if you compare the 5 billion cell phones in the world to the 1.9 billion people on the wired web, the opportunity is obvious. Learn how new mobile trends will shape your marketing, in-store experience, and couponing efforts in 2012.
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Cocktail Reception, Sponsor Fair
6:15 – 8:00 p.m. Offsite Dinner Party, Buses will leave at 6 p.m.
 
Tuesday, October 11
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Keynote Presentation
  Gregg Lederman
  Branding Expert
  Driven by a relentless desire to help as many people as possible “Live the Brand,” Gregg has made it his personal mission to dramatically improve people’s lives by positively enhancing work cultures and the customer experience while increasing the company’s profitability. After just a few minutes of his presentation, you’ll see why he’s known as “the Brand Integrity Guy.”
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. General Session
  David Davoudpour
  Chairman & CEO, Shoney's
  In a rare public speech, David Davoudpour will share with fellow executives how he's revitalizing the 62-year-old Shoney's brand. What began as a West Virginia drive-in restaurant is now a casual-dining concept focused on good food, great value, and community involvement, thanks to Davoudpour's vision.
10:30 – 10:45 a.m. Coffee Break, Sponsor Fair
10:45 – 11:45 p.m. General Session
  Turning Online Marketing into Long Lines in Your Store
  Research proves that as unemployment rises, so does coupon use. Learn how to capture new business and encourage loyalty through online promotions and couponing with our panel of social media experts.
11:45 – noon Light Lunch, Sponsor Fair
noon – 1:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions
  Does A Celebrity Spokesperson Really Drive Sales?
  Celebrity spokes people, both inside and outside the restaurant industry, are a long-held marketing practice, but does it really work? Brands who have decided for and against the celebrity strategy help you find out what is right for your company.
  The Few. The Proud. Your Franchisees
  It’s hard to rival the leadership skills the U.S. military offers its ranks and once they return to civilian life, your brand can benefit. Veterans are a captive audience waiting to apply the efficiency, reliability, and quick decision-making they developed while in the armed forces to your company. Learn how to recruit the best as your franchisees.
1 – 2:00 p.m. General Session
  Financial Assurance
  Marco’s Pizza is attempting to start an industry-wide financing model that assigns risk assessments to participating brands and offers practically guaranteed financing to potential franchisees. Is this strategy right for your company and how can you get involved?
2 – 2:15 p.m. Closing Remarks