Keynote Session / Wednesday / October 8, 2025 / 9:00 AM

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
Erle Dardick is an entrepreneur, author, restaurant veteran, and off premises thought leader for the Global Foodservice Industry. Erle’s mission is to help foodservice operators create successful off premises revenue channels. An expert in turning around struggling businesses, Erle's journey into catering began with acquiring a small Vancouver deli and developing it into a flourishing off premises operation. In a small office above that deli, Erle created MONKEY, The #1 Cloud Platform for takeout, delivery & catering. Through his vision of The Catering Institute, MonkeyMedia Software, and Off Premises Insights, Erle became a leader in a rapidly developing space. Throughout this process, Erle pioneered The 5 Pillars of Successful Takeout, Delivery & Catering which has since evolved into the 5 Stages, a leading strategic framework for the restaurant and foodservice industry.
Kelly Grogan | Co-Founder | CRUMBS
Kelly Grogan is a highly successful executive in the hospitality industry with extensive experience and achievements in driving revenue growth in both B2B and B2C settings. With a keen understanding of market dynamics and consumer preferences, she has consistently devised and executed innovative sales strategies that have propelled her employers and clients to new heights of success. Her tenure in the restaurant space has been marked by a series of notable accomplishments. Through strategic partnerships, targeted marketing initiatives, and an ability to build from the ground up, Kelly has grown both new and established departments to achieve significant incremental revenue growth. By leveraging her expertise in identifying and capitalizing on emerging trends, as well as her ability to work cross-functionally across all departments, she has seen great success at both the corporate and local store levels.