important INFO

The Restaurant Catering Workshop begins at the Austin Marriot Downtown immediately following the Fast Casual Executive Summit. Day 2 of The Restaurant Catering Workshop will be held at the El Arroyo restaurant at 1624 West 5th Street in Austin.

Agenda

TUESDAY // OCTOBER 7, 2025


| Exhibits

Check In Opens

All attendees, sponsors, and speakers must check in at the registration desk and pick up a name badge. Please wear your badge at all times during the Workshop.


| Welcome & Opening Remarks
Host:
  • Cherryh Cansler | VP of Events & Publisher of FastCasual.com | Networld Media Group


| Opening Keynote

The Future of Catering: Turning Off-Premises into a Scalable Growth Engine

Catering isn’t just a side revenue stream—it’s the future of restaurant growth. This session explores how first-party catering, corporate partnerships, and local sales strategies are shaping the industry. We’ll discuss evolving consumer behaviors, emerging technology, and how restaurants that invest in structured catering programs now will be the ones thriving in the years ahead.

Keynote Speaker:
  • Kelly Grogan | Co-Founder | CRUMBS

Keynote Speaker
Kelly Grogan
Co-Founder
CRUMBS


| General Session

The Technology You Need to Scale Catering Sales

The right tech can make or break a catering program.

This session will highlight:

  • What restaurant brands need in a first-party ordering system
  • How to track customer data & leverage insights for better outreach
  • Best practices for integrating catering with POS & delivery management
  • How AI & automation can support catering operations

| Networking Event

Welcome Reception

Meet fellow attendees, industry leaders, and sponsors over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.



WEDNESDAY // OCTOBER 8, 2025


| Check In Opens

| Breakfast

Breakfast Briefing & Networking


| Keynote Session

Creating the Ultimate Catering Plan

In this interactive two-hour session, attendees will roll up their sleeves and build their Ultimate Catering Plan - a practical, step-by-step roadmap designed to grow sales, improve execution, and drive repeat business. From defining goals and identifying target clients to outlining marketing tactics, sales strategies, and operational needs, this session will guide operators through every essential component of a successful catering program. Attendees will leave with a customized plan they can take back to their teams and start executing immediately.

Keynote Speakers:
  • Erle Dardick | Senior Partner | The Off Premises Growth Academy
  • Kelly Grogan | Co-Founder | CRUMBS

Keynote Speaker
Erle Dardick
Senior Partner
The Off Premises Growth Academy

Keynote Speaker
Kelly Grogan
Co-Founder
CRUMBS


| Break - Interactive Challenge

| General Session

The New Age of Catering Marketing: Driving Awareness & Conversions

Marketing for catering is NOT the same as marketing for restaurant traffic.

In this session, we’ll break down:

  • How to market directly to businesses, event planners & corporate decision-makers
  • Email & social media strategies that drive catering orders
  • Leveraging first-party channels to reduce reliance on third-party platforms
  • Local store marketing ideas to build community partnerships

| Break - Interactive Challenge

| Lunch

Lunch & Learn


| General Session

Mastering Catering Operations: The Key to Seamless Execution & Repeat Business

Scaling catering requires flawless execution—without it, even the best sales and marketing strategies won’t work.

This session will dive into:

  • Best practices for order fulfillment & accuracy
  • Delivery logistics that won’t slow you down
  • Packaging and presentation strategies that impress clients
  • How to set up catering-friendly kitchen workflows
Presenter:
  • Brian Bailey | President & CEO | Ichor Restaurant Group

Presented by dlivrd

| Break - Interactive Discussion: Catering Horror Stories

| General Session

Winning Strategies from Restaurant Leaders

Hear from restaurant operators who have built high-performing catering programs.

Topics include:

  • Lessons learned from scaling catering in a multi-unit environment
  • How to balance in-store sales with catering operations
  • What marketing & operations investments deliver the biggest ROI

| Break

| General Session

“Ask the Experts” Roundtable

Attendees will have the opportunity to sit down with speakers and industry experts for a rapid-fire Q&A session on sales, marketing, operations, and catering program growth.


| Workshop Adjourns


View 2024 Agenda