Fast Casual Executive Summit
Photo: Panelists from the 2024 Restaurant Catering Workshop address the audience. This year’s event is Oct.7-8 in Austin. Photos: Willie Lawless
September 11, 2025
Tired of catering being a chaotic, complicated mess? Get ready to turn your off-premise business from a hassle into a hero at the Restaurant Catering Workshop, Oct. 7-8 Austin, hosted by Networld Media Group, the producers of the Fast Casual Executive Summit.
Packed with expert-led sessions designed to help operators of all sizes build a profitable and scalable catering program, the workshop is a can’t-miss for anyone looking to make their catering business a star.
Here are the top 10 reasons to grab your ticket.
1. Discover the Future of Catering.The opening keynote, “The Future of Catering: Turning Off-Premises into a Scalable Growth Engine,” will give you the big picture on how to make catering a core part of your brand’s growth, with insights from keynote speaker Kelly Grogan, founder and CEO of CRUMBS and Christian Hilty, VP of Partnerships of DeliverThat.
2. Attend 2 events for a discount. The Restaurant Catering Workshop kicks of on Oct. 7 as the Fast Casual Executive Summit ends. Register both, and you’ll get discounted rates on both events.
3. Conquer Third-Party Marketplaces. Tame the third-party platforms with strategies to not only manage them but also maximize their potential for your catering business. This session features advice from Amanda Kahalehoe, chief operating officer of Vicious Biscuit, and Claudie Newman, director of catering sales for Founders Table.
4. Master Your CRM (and AI!). Learn how to use customer relationship management and artificial intelligence to build smarter customer journeys. The result? A stronger, more loyal customer base, with guidance from Michael Attias, president and founder of CaterZen.
5. Step Up Your Marketing Game. A session on “The New Age of Catering Marketing” will give you the latest tips for driving awareness and conversions. Learn from Donna Magen, senior manager for specialty channels at Levain Bakery; Brittany Mercer, director of marketing for Cowboy Chicken; and Andi Ott, a multi-unit franchise operator with Dog Haus.
6. Learn Seamless Operations. The workshop is dedicating an entire session to “Mastering Catering Operations.” Attendees will learn the keys to flawless execution and repeat business from Allen Beck, director of off-premise and catering at Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill; Jerome Dees Jr., vice president of sales for Tacolicious; Chris Heffernan, CEO of dlivrd; and Jessica Serrano, chief marketing officer of Dig Inn.
7. Hear from the Best. Get winning strategies and valuable advice directly from a diverse group of successful restaurant leaders, including Brian Bailey of Old Carolina Barbecue Co., Molly Flick of Southern Rock Restaurants/McAlister’s Deli, Alexis Ortiz of NAYA and Brian Strayer of Rubios.
8. Ask Your Burning Questions. The “Ask the Experts” roundtable is your chance to get specific questions answered by industry pros in a dynamic, open format.
9. Get the Tech Talk. In a world of apps and integrations, what technology do you actually need? A key session will break down the essential tools to scale your sales, with insights from Erle Dardick of The Off Premises Growth Academy and Courtney Smith and Darrin Winning from MONKEYMedia Software.
10. Celebrate Industry Success. The workshop concludes with a parade featuring winners of the “Top 30 Movers & Shakers: Catering” and a panel, where you can seek their advice.
